1.2 Exceptions 

Notwithstanding D‑VII, 1.1 above, oppositions are to be given priority:

(i)if the earlier examination proceedings were of considerably longer duration than usual; 

(ii)if the opposition proceedings have already extended over a considerably longer period than usual; 

(iii)if an infringement or revocation action in respect of the opposed European patent has been instituted before the Unified Patent Court or a national court or competent authority of a contracting state (see E‑VIII, 5 for further details); or a party to the proceedings has submitted a reasoned request for accelerated processing in a case where an infringement action in respect of the European patent is pending before the Unified Patent Court or a national court of a contracting state, or if the EPO is informed by the Unified Patent Court, a national court or competent authority of a contracting state that infringement actions are pending (see the notice from the EPO dated 24 April 2023, Supplementary publication 3, OJ EPO 2023, 9; see E‑VIII, 5);

(iv)if other matters to be dealt with, e.g. divisional applications, hinge upon the final decision concerning the opposition; or

(iv)(v) if the next procedural step can be dealt with relatively quickly.