10.2 Language 

The minutes are normally written in the language of the proceedings under Art. 14(3), i.e. the EPO official language in which the application was filed or into which it was translated. The exceptions are set out in Rule 4(6).

Amendments to the text of the description or claims of the application or patent must be recorded in the minutes in the language of the proceedings under Art. 14(3).

Where the exact wording is important, or if the parties so insist, the minutes must record the following, word for word, in the EPO official language actually used or into which the statements were translated, as provided for in Rule 4(6):

(a)requests of the parties 

(b)legally relevant statements by parties, witnesses, experts and division members, and 

(c)order of the decision. 

The term "statement" within the meaning of Rule 4(6) is to be interpreted narrowly as the exception to the rule of using the language of proceedings in the written procedure rather than as allowing the recording of all arguments made in another official language during the oral proceedings.

For derogations from the language of proceedings see E‑V, 6.

See E‑III, 10.3 for requests for recording specific statements in the minutes.