Handling of Appeals

When an appeal has been lodged, a preliminary examination as to form is carried out. The Office is asked to issue a statement on the case, and in an opposition case the opposing party is asked to provide an explanation. The complainant may furthermore be asked to provide a rejoinder, except if the case is of the kind that it is dismissed without considering its merits or is refused immediately.

A Board member appointed by the Chair or other official appointed in the same manner acts as the presenting official of the Board of Appeal. The person appointed as a presenting official prepares the appeal that is next in the processing order and, if necessary, acquires supplementary information and draws up a judgment proposal in the issue.

After this, the documents and the judgment proposal are circulated among the members of the Board for being studied, and the issue will then be solved at the Board of Appeal’s session on the representation of the presenting official.

The Board of Appeal is competent to act when all members are present.