Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Venue: Club Quarters Holborn, 61 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3JW
The Training Programme on European Patent Law and Practice is an intensive two-part course for candidates who are preparing for the main papers (A, B, C and D) of the European Qualifying Examination (EQE).
The Training Programme reflects the practical nature of the examinations, with an emphasis on studying past papers of the EQE. In addition to receiving intensive training from experienced tutors, participants hear from successful previous candidates about their recent experience of the examinations. To derive maximum benefit from the Training Programme, participants are asked to study various materials in advance, for discussion during the face-to-face sessions.
For aspiring European Patent Attorneys, the four papers comprising the EQE can appear a significant challenge. The pass rates of Queen Mary University of London trained candidates are generally in excess of 95%.
Whilst a preparatory course is not mandatory for EQE candidates, it can be very helpful mechanism to support and assist with candidates’ individual learning needs. With this in mind, the QMUL EQE Training Programme offers participants the chance to study, and discuss in-depth, previous years’ papers in a study group environment with learning facilitated by experienced tutors. The QMUL EQE Training Programme is specifically designed to assist candidates in this learning process by focusing on the approach that the examiners will look for, and how best to structure answers with those priorities in mind. Working in small groups increases interactivity and further facilitates learning during the training sessions.
Queen Mary University of London has been successfully running this EQE Training Programme for nearly thirty years. The course structure and content are continuously updated to reflect the changing requirements of the examination and the profession.
The Training Programme comprises two parts. Part 1 introduces candidates to the EQE papers, while Part 2 serves to consolidate and build on the knowledge and skills acquired during Part 1. It is possible to attend only Part 2 of the Programme; however, it is strongly recommended that candidates also attend Part 1.
The first part of the programme (2 full days in November) comprises
The second part of the programme (3 full days in January) comprises
Download the EQE Schedule 2018-19 [PDF 171KB].
The programme is scheduled to take place a few months before the upcoming examinations when candidates would be advanced in their own studies. It cannot replace individual preparation, but it can substantially aid and assist in identifying and addressing knowledge and skills gaps. The division into two parts is done in order to support candidates in their preparation and give them the opportunity to follow up on open issues at a later time, rather than having the entire programme delivered in one week-long session.
All tutors for this course are highly experienced European Patent Attorneys. They deal with the EPO on a daily basis and train professionals within their own firms. Our tutors have taught this course at QMUL since at least 2011, but have had prior teaching experience outside QMUL.
Papers A and B are tutored by Dr Charles Harding (D. Young & Co.) and Gareth Fennell (Kilburn & Strode).
Paper C is jointly tutored by Dr Gordon Wright (Visiting Professor, Queen Mary University of London) and Dr Rob O’Callaghan (Elkington & Fife) and Richard Bassett (Potter Clarkson, Nottingham).
Paper D is jointly tutored by Margaret Mackett (Gevers Patents) and Christopher Revell (FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies UK Limited).
The Programme's Academic Director is Professor Duncan Matthews, Chair in Intellectual Property Law at Queen Mary University of London.
To qualify as a European patent attorney it is necessary to pass the European Qualifying Examination (EQE) administered by the European Patent Office (EPO). This examination, which serves to establish whether candidates have the requisite aptitude and knowledge to represent applicants before the European Patent Office (EPO), generally has a pass rate of less than 50% and consists of four papers sat under exam conditions ranging from three to six hours per paper.
The papers include three practical papers and a legal exam:
Download the EQE Schedule 2018-19 [PDF 171KB].
Please register through Eventbrite to receive an invoice.
Papers A, B, C, and D (2 days in November and 3 days in January) - £1,900
Papers A and B (1 day in Nov and 1 day in Jan) - £1,150
Papers A, B and C or Papers A, B and D (1.5 days in Nov and 2 days in Jan) - £1,500
Paper C or Paper D (0.5 days in Nov and 1 day in Jan) - £600
Reduced fees apply for candidates participating only in Part 2 of the programme in January 2018.
EQE Training Programme on European Patent Law and Practice - Part 2
14 - 16 January 2019
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Venue: TBC (Central London)
The Training Programme on European Patent Law and Practice is an intensive course for candidates who are preparing for the main papers (A, B, C and D) of the European Qualifying Examinations (EQE).
The Training Programme comprises two parts. Please refer to Part 1 for a full course description. Part 2 serves to consolidate and build on the knowledge and skills acquired during Part 1. It is possible to attend only Part 2 of the Programme; however, it is strongly recommended that candidates also attend Part 1.
How to Book
Please register through Eventbrite to receive an invoice.
Fee Information for Participation in Part 2 (January 2019) only:
Fee for Papers A, B, C, D (3 days) - £1,150
Fee for Papers A & B (1 day) - £500
Fee for Papers A, B & C or Papers A, B & D (2 days) - £850
Fee for Paper C or Paper D (1 day) - £500
For more information, please contact the CCLS Events Team on ccls-events@qmul.ac.uk.
Please note that CCLS events may be photographed or video and audio recorded. These materials will be used for internal and external promotional purposes only by Queen Mary University of London. If you object to appearing in the photographs, please let our photographer know on the day. Alternatively you can email the CCLS Events Team on ccls-events@qmul.ac.uk in advance of the event that you are attending.
