IPA patent 7.8.10.1-hearing-officers — IP Australia Patent Manual of Practice and Procedure – 7.8.10.1 Hearing Officers

Also in this Chapter: 7.8.10.2 Assistant Hearing Officers 7.8.10.3 Hearing Officer Standards Panel 7.8.10.4 Hearing Officer Delegations Hearing officers are appointed from amongst patent examination staff members that have undergone appropriate training and met defined competency standards (see IP Rights Learning and Development Manual ). Hearing officers are generally assigned to hear matters based on considerations of administrative efficiency, but with due regard to: the specific suitability of the officer given the field of technology of the case and any particular legal issues that arise; and the availability of the officer. Assignments will also have regard to any actual or potential conflict of interest, for example, hearing officers will not usually hear an opposition if they have previously been involved in the examination of the application.