Patent Attorney

Regulators
  • Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
  • Intellectual Property Regulation Board
Nations
United Kingdom
Sectors
  • Law

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Address

20 Little Britain
London
EC1A 7DH

Phone number
+44 (0)20 7353 4373

Additional regulator

Address

2nd Floor Halton House,
20-23 Holborn
London
EC1N 2JD

Email address
mail@cipa.org.uk
Phone number
+44 (0)2074059450

Regulation

Regulation summary

The provision of reserved legal services in the course of carrying on the business of acting as agent for others for the purpose of applying for or obtaining patents in the United Kingdom or elsewhere or of conducting proceedings before the Comptroller relating to applications for or otherwise in connection with patents

Regulation type

Licence

Reserved activities

The exercise of a right of audience. The conduct of litigation. Reserved instrument activities. The administration of oaths.

Protected titles

Patent Attorney, Patent Agent


Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

STEM degree
Patent Examination Board (PEB) Foundation exams or a IPReg-accredited Foundation Certificate course at Queen Mary University of London, Bournemouth University or Brunel University
PEB Advanced exams (FD1, FD2, FD3 and FD4) or a pass of European Qualification Examinations in full or Paper A (for FD2 exemption) and Paper B (for FD3 exemption)
Satisfactorily completed not less than two years’ full-time practice in the
field of intellectual property, including substantial experience of patent attorney work, under the supervision of:
i) a registered patent attorney, or
ii) a barrister, solicitor or advocate who is engaged in or has substantial experience of patent attorney work in the UK, or else has satisfactorily completed not less than four years’ full-time practice in the field of intellectual property, including substantial experience of patent attorney work in the UK

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
Summary of routes

From 1 July 2023, qualified attorneys from outside of the UK may apply to IPReg for recognition of their non-UK qualifications.

All applicants will be required to complete the application form that will be published on IPReg's website in the link below, a self assessment against the relevant Competency Framework and provide evidence of their identity, qualifications and experience.

The Competency Frameworks are published on IPReg's website https://ipreg.org.uk/pro/admission-to-register/training-and-supervision. The evidence that must be provided is evidence of knowledge, skills and experience in UK law and practice.

Applications will be assessed on a case by case basis and IPReg may determine that compensation measures such as the undertaking of examinations or periods of supervised practice should be ordered prior to or as a condition of registration.


Registration

Registration requirements

Attorneys must renew their registration with the Intellectual Property Regulation Board annually.

The renewal process includes the payment of the relevant practising fee, the provision of information about professional indemnity insurance (if relevant), a declaration of continued good character and that the attorney has reflected on their practice throughout the year and has undertaken development activities to ensure they remain competent to practise.

Attorneys are required to comply with all of IPReg's regulatory arrangements, including the provision to IPReg of any information requested.


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

Legal Services Act 2007

Title of relevant act or charter

The Copyright Designs and Patent Act 1988

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.