The Disciplinary Committee (DC)

The "Disziplinarrat" (German version) is called in the official English version of the Founding Regulation Disciplinary Committee and in the French version Commission de Discipline. It is however not an advisory committee of the epi but the first part of the first instance judicial organ for the evaluation of possible disciplinary lapses of registered representatives and was instituted by the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisations on October 21, 1977 under the heading "Regulation on discipline for professional representatives". The Chambers of the Disciplinary Committee decide on alleged breach of the Rules of Professional Conduct which may be brought to its notice in writing. The members of the Disciplinary Committee are elected and/or reelected in their functions by the epi Council for the same term of office as the term of office of the epi Council (no time restriction in the mandate). The members are independent and enjoy immunity for their activities in the context of the Disciplinary Chambers which are installed by the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee at the beginning of each term. A Chamber considers up to 3 cases per year.

Attorneys at law and solicitors who are not also professional representatives do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Committee.

Working Groups

• Database of Decisions
• Disciplinary Guidelines

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