On 11 and 12 March 2025, both the central division section Munich and the local division Munich of the UPC welcomed a group of students from Santa Clara University School of Law, led by Prof Dr Tyler Ochoa from the High Tech Law Institute. The visit aimed to provide insights into European patent law and the functioning of the UPC.

On 11 March, the students visited the central division section Munich, where Ulrike Voß, Presiding judge, and András Kupecz, legally qualified judge, introduced them to the principles, structure and functions of the UPC, with a particular focus on the work of the central division. 

This was followed by a dynamic discussion covering topics such as the collaboration between judges from different legal backgrounds, the role of lawyers and technical experts in patent litigation and the UPC’s interaction with the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

On 12 March, the students continued their visit at the Local Division Munich, where they were welcomed by Dr Matthias Zigann, Presiding judge. He provided an overview of the division’s activities and recent developments within the UPC. The discussions that followed demonstrated the students' keen interest in the UPC’s structure and proceedings.