PMAC Advances Operations with New Procedural Rules and Launch of Case Management System
UPCに関するアップデート | 13.05.2026
The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) has taken significant steps toward full operational readiness, marked by the formal adoption of its procedural rules and the launch of its dedicated Case Management System (CCMS).
On 24 April 2026, the Administrative Committee of the UPC formally approved and adopted the procedural framework governing PMAC’s activities. This milestone establishes the legal and operational foundation for the Centre to offer a comprehensive suite of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services. These include mediation, arbitration, expert determination, and various hybrid procedures tailored to complex disputes.
PMAC will handle a broad range of matters, including disputes relating to European patents and Unitary Patents, as well as cross-border conflicts and Standard Essential Patent (SEP)/FRAND cases. The introduction of these structured ADR mechanisms reflects an effort to provide efficient and flexible dispute resolution options within the UPC ecosystem.
According to the announcement, mediation services are expected to commence later in May 2026, with expert determination and arbitration services scheduled to follow later in the year. The full text of the procedural rules, together with the applicable fee schedules, has been made available on both the PMAC and UPC websites. The adoption was accompanied by a statement from PMAC Director Aleš Zalar, highlighting the Centre’s role in enhancing access to effective dispute resolution in patent matters.
Further reinforcing its operational readiness, PMAC announced that, as of 12 May 2026, its Case Management System (CMS) is officially live. The system enables users to submit requests for ADR proceedings electronically, streamlining access to the Centre’s services.
In addition to enabling case submissions, PMAC has also begun offering ADR information sessions and mediation proceedings, marking the first phase of its service rollout. To support users, a dedicated CCMS guidance page has been introduced on the PMAC website, providing practical instructions on navigating and using the platform.
Official news
- PMAC’s procedural rules adopted by the Administrative Committee
- PMAC's Case Management System now live