Report on epi Council Meeting C101
Meeting Structure and Timeline
The 101st epi Council meeting was conducted online in two separate sessions. The first session took place on January 30, 2026, and was interrupted at 18:22. The meeting resumed on February 10, 2026, from 14:00-16:00 CET to complete the remaining agenda items.
Primary Focus
The meeting addressed the fundamental reform of the disciplinary system for European Patent Attorneys. The Council reviewed proposed amendments to the Regulation on Discipline for Professional Representatives (RDR), the Founding Regulation of the Institute, the Regulation on the European Qualifying Examination (REE), and related procedural rules.
First Session Outcomes
During the initial session, Council members engaged in extensive discussions regarding various aspects of the proposed disciplinary system reform. The debates covered topics including the composition of disciplinary bodies, procedures for handling anonymous complaints, qualification requirements for committee members, and the overall structure of the new system.
The session culminated in a vote on the comprehensive reform package. Despite receiving support from 82% of participating members (90 votes in favor), the proposal did not achieve the required absolute majority of 93 votes (i.e., two thirds) from all 139 elected Council members. Only 110 Council members participated in the vote, which took place after the scheduled end time of the meeting.
Following this outcome, the participating Council members voted to interrupt the meeting and continue at a later date to reconsider the final vote on the proposed reforms with a higher number of Council members present during the voting.
Continuation and Final Results
The February 10th session saw a high participation, with more than 130 Council members registering to attend.
Upon reconsideration, the Council approved the amendments to the RDR and Founding Regulation with 104 votes in favor, 22 against, and 5 abstentions. The Council also supported the proposed amendments to the REE and adopted the Additional Rules for Elections and Appointment to the future Disciplinary Board.
Key Structural Changes
The reformed disciplinary system represents a significant restructuring of existing procedures. The new framework eliminates the middle-tier Disciplinary Board of the European Patent Office and expands the role of the Disciplinary Committee, which will be renamed the “Disciplinary Board of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office” (epi Disciplinary Board).
The Council retained flexibility in determining the composition of the epi Disciplinary Board, i.e., the numbers of professional representatives and legally qualified members, rather than fixing specific numbers in the regulations. The minimum experience requirement for candidates was reduced from fifteen to eight years to make positions more accessible while maintaining professional standards.
The handling of anonymous complaints was clarified, with such matters to be forwarded to the epi Board for consideration of formal action. The Council also established clear procedures for various aspects of the new system while maintaining the authority to adapt these procedures based on evolving needs.
Administrative Considerations
Several administrative matters were addressed during the meeting. Article 16 of the By-Laws was temporarily reverted to its previous wording until the Autumn 2026 Council meeting because the implementation double-signature requirement met technical difficulties with certain banks.
The By-Laws Committee was tasked with preparing necessary adaptations to accommodate the new disciplinary framework for the next Council meeting.
Implementation Timeline
The approved reforms will proceed to the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation for final approval. Implementation is anticipated for early 2027, providing time for the necessary preparatory work and transitional arrangements. The new system will require the Council to elect a new epi Disciplinary Board during the autumn 2026 meeting in Bratislava.
Conclusion
The C101 meeting demonstrated the Council’s commitment to reforming the disciplinary system and to finalizing the process before the newly elected Council takes over. At the same time, broad participation in the decision-making process was ensured. The two-session format, though unusual, ultimately facilitated more comprehensive involvement from Council members and strengthened the legitimacy of the final decisions through enhanced participation.
