Course overview
Patent formalities practice is evolving rapidly across Europe, the US and Asia. Digitalisation initiatives, fee reforms, new tools and procedural changes are altering day-to-day workflows and compliance risk profiles. This training course delivers a structured, jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction update designed to ensure you remain technically accurate, operationally efficient and strategically prepared.
The training sessions combine expert-led analysis with practical discussion, equipping you with both the latest regulatory intelligence and clear implementation guidance.
This practical training course has been designed exclusively for patent administrators and IP formalities professionals, not for lawyers and attorneys. It covers latest information about EPO, WIPO, USPTO and Asia. As well as the latest tips and best practice you’ll also hear about projected changes for the next year so you can get ahead of the game.
The expert speakers have first-hand practical experience and knowledge of their areas which they will share with you. There will also be plenty of time for discussion and for you to put your questions to the experts.
Key topics include:
European patent procedure - What has changed and what’s next?
The training course opens with a comprehensive review of recent developments at the European Patent Office. You will examine:
- Updates to MyEPO Portfolio and the EPO’s digitalisation roadmap
- End-to-end support for colour drawings at the EPO - what does this mean in practice?
- Micro-entity fee reductions and new validation states
- New electronic tools, including third party observations, electronic priority documents and Docx filing
- Fee increases effective 1 April 2026
- Forthcoming procedural changes expected in 2026/27
Crucially, each development is assessed through the lens of daily formalities practice - identifying workflow implications, risk areas, and practical adjustments required.
The Unitary Patent - Operational and strategic considerations
A focused training session on the Unitary Patent provides clarity on:
- The practical benefits of requesting unitary effect
- Filing requirements, including Form 7000
- Deadline management and re-establishment of rights
- Renewal fee structure and lifecycle considerations
- Supporting documentation, fees and procedural timings
This session translates legislative framework into actionable administrative guidance.
PCT updates and national phase strategy
This session focusses on international practice, covering:
- Recent PCT Rule amendments and practice developments
- Efficient use of ePCT for filing and post-filing management
- Best practice approaches during the international phase
- Structuring a smooth and compliant national phase entry
The session concludes with an extended Q&A, enabling delegates to test scenarios and resolve specific procedural uncertainties with the expert speakers.
US prosecution: Fees, compliance and process efficiency
US practice continues to evolve, particularly in fee structures and electronic procedures. This session covers:
- New USPTO fee developments, including the Earliest Benefit Date surcharge, IDS size fees, and DocX surcharge fee
- Expedited prosecution options
- DocuSign and electronic signature compliance
The focus is on minimising administrative risk while improving filing accuracy and process control.
Patenting in China, Japan and Korea
The final training session addresses formalities considerations in key Asian jurisdictions, with particular emphasis on China. Topics include:
- Patent and utility model protection in China
- Translation strategy and quality control tips for patenting in China, Japan and Korea
- The evolution of China’s IP system and its role as an IP5 office
- Working effectively with local patent agents
- Navigating the CNIPA website and procedural framework
- Understanding examination proceedings stages and post-grant maintenance
Practical insight is provided to help delegates manage cross-border filings with greater confidence and fewer compliance issues.
This is not a theoretical overview. It is a detailed, practice-focused update designed for professionals responsible for managing patent formalities in a multi-jurisdictional environment.
Whether you are responsible for day-to-day filings or supervising a patent support function, this training course provides the procedural clarity and practical insight needed to operate with confidence in an evolving global patent environment.
Who should attend?
This annual update training course has been specially designed for:
- Senior patent administrators
- Formalities officers
- IPR co-ordinators and legal assistants
- Paralegals
Patent prosecution support staff - IP operations and patent portfolio managers
- In-house IP professionals
- Practice managers and team leaders
All those looking for the latest information and formalities updates from leading experts and those who want to exchange views and ask questions about important patent formalities issues and challenges.
CPD Hours: 9
Course Content
- Day 1
- Introduction from the Chairs
- European formalities update
- European formalities update - The Unitary Patent
- European formalities round table
- PCT update and best practices
- Effective nationalisation of your PCT application
- PCT question and answer session
- Day 2
- US prosecution best practices
- Patenting and patent formalities in China, Japan, and Korea
Speakers
Matthias Reischle-Park
Matthias Reischle, a national of Germany, is Deputy Director of the PCT Legal Division of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). Matthias holds a law degree from the University of Constance, Germany (1993) and a LL.M. in European Legal Studies from the College of Europe, Belgium (1994). After qualifying to practice law in Germany in 1996, he worked as a legal adviser for the International Labour Organization in Geneva. Since joining the staff of the PCT Legal Division in 1998, he has participated in the drafting and implementation of various amendments to the Regulations under the PCT and other PCT-related texts such as the Administrative Instructions, various Guidelines, and publications such as the PCT Applicant’s Guide and the PCT Newsletter. He regularly participates in training courses, seminars and international-level meetings on the PCT and advises applicants and their representatives concerning PCT procedures.
Mycki Khalar
Mycki Khalar is an intellectual property professional with more than 20 years of experience supporting U.S. and international patent prosecution in both law firm and corporate environments. She currently serves as Paralegal Manager at McNeill PLLC, where she was promoted from Patent Prosecution Coordinator in recognition of her leadership, operational expertise, and deep institutional knowledge.
Prior to joining McNeill, she spent nearly a decade with the 3M Company’s Office of Intellectual Property, where she supported patent administration, led process improvement initiatives, developed training programs, and collaborated with cross-functional teams worldwide. Earlier in her career, she worked at Westman, Champlin & Koehler, where she developed a strong foundation in patent, trademark, and copyright prosecution.
Throughout her career, Mycki has worked closely with attorneys, clients, and global partners to manage complex patent portfolios and coordinate prosecution activities across jurisdictions.
With a background in Human Resources Management, Mycki brings a collaborative, people-focused approach to leadership. She is passionate about mentoring team members, strengthening processes, and creating supportive environments where paralegals and IP professionals can thrive.
Juliana Merlino
Juliana Merlino is the Practice Management Coordinator at McNeill PLLC, where she has supported the firm in multiple capacities since 2015. With nearly 30 years of experience in intellectual property law, she has extensive expertise in managing complex U.S. and international patent prosecution.
Prior to joining McNeill, Juliana served as an International Patent Coordinator at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP. In this leadership role, she was responsible for overseeing the Boston office’s International Filing Department.
Earlier in her career, Juliana held positions as a Senior Patent Paralegal and Paralegal Coordinator at Quine Intellectual Property Law Group, P.C., and as a Foreign Filing Specialist at Townsend, Townsend and Crew LLP (now Kirkland & Stockton LLP).
Christopher Casley
Christopher Casley, Patent Attorney at Mewburn Ellis, handles the full range of patent work in the life sciences sector, from pre-drafting advice to drafting and prosecution of worldwide patent portfolios. He also has experience with IP due diligence and European oppositions.
HIs areas of expertise include biological therapeutics, including antibody-drug conjugates; prognostic and treatment response predictive methods, including related computational biology; cancer therapeutics, diagnostics and biomarkers, and nanomedicine.
Chris has a degree in natural sciences (pharmacology) from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from University College London, relating to the neurochemistry of Alzheimer’s disease. He carried out post-doctoral research at a multinational pharmaceutical company before joining Mewburn Ellis LLP in 2004, qualifying as a Chartered Patent Attorney in 2007 and a European Patent Attorney in 2008. He joined the partnership in 2011.
Jane List
Jane List founded Extract Information Limited, Cambridgeshire, UK, in 2013. Extract Information provides legal and industry focussed patent searching and reporting, IP management support for small companies, and product development consultancy for the information industry. Jane previously worked in IP and information analyst roles at The Technology Partnership (TTP) plc, Xaar plc and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. She also worked in the information industry where she held commercial, content, and product development roles at Lighthouse IP, ProQuest, and DataStar. Throughout her career she has provided training in the management, retrieval and analysis of scientific, technical, medical, commercial and patent information, most recently through CIIPM where she developed the course in IP and Commercialisation.
Jane has qualifications in Chemistry, Information Science, and IP Law, and was for ten years, until December 2023, Editor in Chief of World Patent Information (WPI) Journal. She remains on the Advisory Board of WPI, and she is also on the Board of CEPIUG.
