1. Possibility of filing auxiliary requests

In the proceedings before the EPO main and auxiliary requests are allowed (for grant proceedings see e.g. T 79/89, OJ 1992, 283; for opposition proceedings see e.g. T 234/86, OJ 1989, 79). An auxiliary request is a request for amendment which is contingent upon the main request (or preceding auxiliary requests) being held to be unallowable, T 153/85 (OJ 1988, 1). It is also a request for amendment covered by R. 86(3) EPC 1973 (R. 137(3) EPC), Art. 96(2) EPC 1973 and R. 51(2) EPC 1973 (Art. 94(3) EPC and R. 71(2) EPC), and, during appeal proceedings, Art. 110(2) EPC 1973 and R. 66(1) EPC 1973 (R. 100(1) EPC) (T 79/89, OJ 1992, 283).