3.4 Procedures before the competent authority 

The EPO must be informed of when and where the enquiry is to take place and must inform the parties, witnesses and experts concerned.

At the EPO's request, the competent authority will allow members of the department concerned to attend and to question any person giving evidence, either directly or through the competent authority. Whether the parties may put questions or not will depend on the laws of the contracting state concerned.