IPA patent 7.8.9.2-peer-review — IP Australia Patent Manual of Practice and Procedure – 7.8.9.2 Peer Review

Also in this Chapter: 7.8.9.1 Quality Requirements Related Chapters: 7.8.5 Principles of Conduct All decisions are subject to a formal peer review before issuance. It should be emphasised that peer review is not directed at the correctness of a hearing officer’s decision, but whether it meets appropriate administrative law principles (as stated in 7.8.5 Principles of Conduct ). On completion of the decision, the hearing officer will ask a peer review panel, comprising a hearing officer peer and a member of the Hearing Officer Standards Panel (HOSP) with an appropriate technological background, to provide feedback on the decision and statement of reasons. Where substantive changes to the decision are required as a result of the review, a copy of the revised decision should be given to the reviewers for comment. However, where any changes required are only minor in nature, it is not necessary for the reviewers to consider the revised decision before issuance.