The Unified Patent Court (UPC) has released its first annual report, marking a significant milestone in its establishment and operation. 

The report provides insights into the Court’s activities, case load and key developments since the UPC officially began operations on 1 June 2023. Alexander Ramsay, Registrar of the Unified Patent Court commented: “The publication of the first annual report is yet another milestone in the establishment of the Unified Patent Court. Furthermore, its content shows the successful start which is attributed to the excellent team of judges, clerks and other administrative support staff that has made this possible.”

In its first year, the Court has successfully handled a growing number of cases, demonstrating its role as a key institution in the European patent litigation landscape. 

Reflecting on the Court’s first year, Klaus Grabinski, President of the Court of Appeal stated: “The first and a half year of the Unified Patent Court has been marked by significant progress in establishing a strong and efficient patent litigation system across the Member States. A growing number of actions have helped to start building a consistent body of case law. Looking ahead, judges and clerks will remain committed to make the UPC an integral part of the European patent system."

As the UPC continues to grow, maintaining transparency and engagement with the public remains a key priority.

Florence Butin, President of the Court of First Instance emphasized: “We recognise that transparency and allowing the public to understand the processes of the UPC are of paramount importance to the success of this project. During this initial startup-phase, such was the workload of ensuring that the Court’s systems were in place that communication was at times a secondary consideration. This annual report aims to provide that clarity and offers a summary of one full year of challenges overcome and successes achieved within the Court. It gives us great pleasure to share this outcome with the public, in particular with the users who have placed their trust in our nascent Court and all those involved in its operation. Beyond this success is also the trust placed in a vision of an ever more united Europe."

Looking forward, the UPC remains focused on improving its procedures, enhancing digital case management and increasing accessibility for users. 

The annual report 2024 is available below.