1.2 Representation by a professional representative; list of professional representatives; associations

Representation of natural or legal persons in proceedings before the EPO may only be undertaken by professional representatives whose names appear on a list kept for this purpose by the EPO and published as a searchable database on the EPO website (see the decision of the President dated 27 November 2024 concerning the publication of the list of professional representatives, OJ EPO 2024, A107, and the corresponding notice from the EPO dated 27 November 2024, OJ EPO 2024, A109. See also OJ EPO 2024, A108). See, however, also A‑VIII, 1.5A‑VIII, 1.6. The Legal Division has responsibility for entries and deletions in the list of professional representatives (see Art. 20(1) and the decision of the President of the EPO dated 21 November 2013, OJ EPO 2013, 600 and the notice from the EPO dated 24 March 2025, OJ EPO 2025, A36). Professional representatives may use MyEPO Portfolio to submit requests relating to their entry on the list and self-manage their telecommunication details registered with the EPO and published in the searchable database on the EPO website, if applicable (see the notice from the EPO dated 13 May 2024, OJ EPO 2024, A57).

If several representatives are appointed, all of them must be duly authorised. Where an authorisation has to be filed, it must name all appointed representatives. The EPO will communicate with the first-named representative only.

A group of at least two professional representatives registered with the EPO as an association within the meaning of Rule 152(11) may be appointed collectively to represent a party under that name (see OJ EPO 2013, 535). In that case, each member of the association may perform procedural acts on behalf of the party, while correspondence from the EPO, according to Rule 130, is addressed to the association rather than one particular member. Parties are recommended to clearly specify whether they wish to appoint the association or an individual representative belonging to that association (see also A‑VIII, 1.7). The Legal Division is responsible for the registration of associations (OJ EPO 2013, 600). Data relating to a registered association can be managed in MyEPO Portfolio.