https://www.epo.org/en/case-law-appeals/annual-reports

Annual reports

The annual reports of the Boards of Appeal provide information and detailed statistics on the Boards. They also describe general developments in the Boards during the preceding year.

Annual report 2023

In 2023 the Boards of Appeal reduced the number of pending cases older than 30 months to a mere 656 (13.4%). The total number of  pending cases was reduced to below 5 000.

Annual report of the Boards of Appeal 2023

Annual report 2022

Despite the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2022 the Boards of Appeal settled a record number of 3 576 cases and reduced the number of pending cases to 6 216. The number of pending cases that are older than 30 months declined by 26.1% compared to 2021.

Annual report of the Boards of Appeal 2022

Annual report 2021

Despite the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Boards of Appeal settled 2938 cases with action, which represents a productivity increase of 11.1% over 2020. The number of pending cases was reduced by 13.9% to 7131 cases.

Annual report of the Boards of Appeal 2021

 Annual report 2020

Despite the temporary disruption of oral proceedings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Boards of Appeal reduced in 2020 the number of pending cases by 10.3% and the time for settling 90% of cases by five months.

Annual report of the Boards of Appeal 2020 

Annual report 2019

The Boards of Appeal again increased their performance in 2019. From 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019, the number of cases settled increased by 46%. Productivity (i.e. cases settled with action divided by technical member capacity) increased by 27.8%.

Annual report of the Boards of Appeal 2019 

Annual report 2018 

The Boards of Appeal again increased their performance in 2018. From 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018, the number of technical cases settled increased by 22.6% and productivity (i.e. cases settled with action divided by technical member capacity) by 18%.  

Foreword of the Boards of Appeal President Carl Josefsson

Annual report of the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office 2018

Annual report 2017

The Boards of Appeal increased their performance in 2017. The number of technical cases settled increased by 2.5%, and the number of technical cases on which the Boards started work rose by 12.4% (in terms of first communications issued).

Foreword of the Boards of Appeal President Carl Josefsson

Annual report of the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office 2017

Annual report 2016

Annual report of the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office 2016