Welcome to the page of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre of the Unified Patent Court The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) serves as a specialized institution for resolving patent disputes through mediation, arbitration and other appropriate dispute resolution processes. The PMAC is an integral part of the Unified Patent Court, with its governance and finances embedded within the UPC’s overall structure. The PMAC, which operates with two seats in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and Lisbon, Portugal, offers institutional support and facilities for proceedings concerning resolution of patent disputes within the jurisdiction of the UPC and other European patent and European patent with unitary effect related disputes. With the aim of improving efficiency and flexibility, the PMAC supports appropriate dispute resolution (ADR) methods, providing effective pathways for resolving patent disputes and advancing the UPC's objective of offering alternatives to litigation. Disputants could refer to the PMAC either their pending litigated disputes at the UPC or any other disputes, which are not litigated.Its working languages are English, French, and German, ensuring broad accessibility for European and international patent stakeholders. Director of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre The Director of the PMAC holds a pivotal role in overseeing the Centre’s daily operations. Appointed by the Administrative Committee of the UPC, the Director manages the organizational structure of the Centre, promotes its services and ensures that the required facilities are available for ADR proceedings.Additionally, the Director collaborates with the Expert Committee to establish and update the list of qualified mediators and arbitrators.The Director also represents the Centre externally and is responsible for budgeting, staff appointments and promoting the training of mediators and arbitrators.The Director’s term is five years, with the possibility of renewal for one additional term.***Mr Aleš Zalar has served as judge and president of the District Court of Ljubljana, as well as president of the Slovenian Judges Association. He served as Slovenia's Minister of Justice from 2008 to 2012, and for six months (2011-2012), he also held the position of Acting Minister of Home Affairs.Over the past 12 years, he has been the President of the European Centre for Dispute Resolution (ECDR), working as a mediator, arbitrator, and consultant in international rule of law reforms.Mr Zalar has received a number of recognitions and awards for his contribution to development of mediation.Mr Zalar was appointed as Director of PMAC in September 2024. Expert Committee The Expert Committee of the PMAC is composed of experts in patent law, mediation, and arbitration who support the PMAC in various capacities.Appointed by the UPC’s Administrative Committee for a renewable six-year term, the Expert Committee collaborates closely with the Director to establish a list of arbitrators and mediators, to propose amendments to the Centre's rules and to contribute to its operational development.The Committee meets at least once a year, alternating between the Centre’s seats in Ljubljana and Lisbon. The experts provide invaluable insights to ensure the Centre's ADR processes are robust and aligned with international best practices.Following the decision of the Administrative Committee dated 17 July 2024, the appointed members are:Mr Thomas Klippstein (Germany)Mr Malik Chapuis (France)Ms Gordana Ristin (Slovenia)Ms Lina Mickiene (Lithuania)Mr Håkan Borgenhäll (Sweden)Mr Pierfrancesco C. Fasano (Italy)Mr Vitor Palmela Fidalgo (Portugal)Ms Maija Tipaine (Latvia)Ms Petra Asperger (Austria)Mr Simon Dack (Netherlands)Mr Cristiano Bacchini (Italy) Contact us For any inquiry please contact us at the following email address contact-pmac@unifiedpatentcourt.org Public consultation on draft Mediation Rules The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on draft Mediation Rules. The consultation aims to ensure a high-quality, transparent, and user-focused regulatory framework. The draft document has been developed and revised with reference to international benchmarking materials reflecting best practices from comparable institutions, which are also made available as part of this consultation. Stakeholders are invited to review the draft document and submit proposed amendments, accompanied by explanatory notes, by 21 July 2025. All relevant materials and instructions for submission are available below. Please note that the public consultation on the draft Arbitration Rules will follow in due course. Letter of invitation to participate in the public consultation process Laden EN pdf Mediation Rules Laden EN pdf Benchmarking of mediation and arbitration rules of institutions comparable to the UPC’s PMAC Laden EN pdf Benchmarking of Codes of Conduct and complaint procedures Laden EN pdf Benchmarking of criteria for neutrals Laden EN pdf Benchmarking of the code-of-conduct provisions on conflict of interest and related principles Laden EN pdf
Welcome to the page of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre of the Unified Patent Court The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) serves as a specialized institution for resolving patent disputes through mediation, arbitration and other appropriate dispute resolution processes. The PMAC is an integral part of the Unified Patent Court, with its governance and finances embedded within the UPC’s overall structure. The PMAC, which operates with two seats in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and Lisbon, Portugal, offers institutional support and facilities for proceedings concerning resolution of patent disputes within the jurisdiction of the UPC and other European patent and European patent with unitary effect related disputes. With the aim of improving efficiency and flexibility, the PMAC supports appropriate dispute resolution (ADR) methods, providing effective pathways for resolving patent disputes and advancing the UPC's objective of offering alternatives to litigation. Disputants could refer to the PMAC either their pending litigated disputes at the UPC or any other disputes, which are not litigated.Its working languages are English, French, and German, ensuring broad accessibility for European and international patent stakeholders. Director of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre The Director of the PMAC holds a pivotal role in overseeing the Centre’s daily operations. Appointed by the Administrative Committee of the UPC, the Director manages the organizational structure of the Centre, promotes its services and ensures that the required facilities are available for ADR proceedings.Additionally, the Director collaborates with the Expert Committee to establish and update the list of qualified mediators and arbitrators.The Director also represents the Centre externally and is responsible for budgeting, staff appointments and promoting the training of mediators and arbitrators.The Director’s term is five years, with the possibility of renewal for one additional term.***Mr Aleš Zalar has served as judge and president of the District Court of Ljubljana, as well as president of the Slovenian Judges Association. He served as Slovenia's Minister of Justice from 2008 to 2012, and for six months (2011-2012), he also held the position of Acting Minister of Home Affairs.Over the past 12 years, he has been the President of the European Centre for Dispute Resolution (ECDR), working as a mediator, arbitrator, and consultant in international rule of law reforms.Mr Zalar has received a number of recognitions and awards for his contribution to development of mediation.Mr Zalar was appointed as Director of PMAC in September 2024. Expert Committee The Expert Committee of the PMAC is composed of experts in patent law, mediation, and arbitration who support the PMAC in various capacities.Appointed by the UPC’s Administrative Committee for a renewable six-year term, the Expert Committee collaborates closely with the Director to establish a list of arbitrators and mediators, to propose amendments to the Centre's rules and to contribute to its operational development.The Committee meets at least once a year, alternating between the Centre’s seats in Ljubljana and Lisbon. The experts provide invaluable insights to ensure the Centre's ADR processes are robust and aligned with international best practices.Following the decision of the Administrative Committee dated 17 July 2024, the appointed members are:Mr Thomas Klippstein (Germany)Mr Malik Chapuis (France)Ms Gordana Ristin (Slovenia)Ms Lina Mickiene (Lithuania)Mr Håkan Borgenhäll (Sweden)Mr Pierfrancesco C. Fasano (Italy)Mr Vitor Palmela Fidalgo (Portugal)Ms Maija Tipaine (Latvia)Ms Petra Asperger (Austria)Mr Simon Dack (Netherlands)Mr Cristiano Bacchini (Italy) Contact us For any inquiry please contact us at the following email address contact-pmac@unifiedpatentcourt.org Public consultation on draft Mediation Rules The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on draft Mediation Rules. The consultation aims to ensure a high-quality, transparent, and user-focused regulatory framework. The draft document has been developed and revised with reference to international benchmarking materials reflecting best practices from comparable institutions, which are also made available as part of this consultation. Stakeholders are invited to review the draft document and submit proposed amendments, accompanied by explanatory notes, by 21 July 2025. All relevant materials and instructions for submission are available below. Please note that the public consultation on the draft Arbitration Rules will follow in due course. Letter of invitation to participate in the public consultation process Laden EN pdf Mediation Rules Laden EN pdf Benchmarking of mediation and arbitration rules of institutions comparable to the UPC’s PMAC Laden EN pdf Benchmarking of Codes of Conduct and complaint procedures Laden EN pdf Benchmarking of criteria for neutrals Laden EN pdf Benchmarking of the code-of-conduct provisions on conflict of interest and related principles Laden EN pdf
Welcome to the page of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre of the Unified Patent Court The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) serves as a specialized institution for resolving patent disputes through mediation, arbitration and other appropriate dispute resolution processes. The PMAC is an integral part of the Unified Patent Court, with its governance and finances embedded within the UPC’s overall structure. The PMAC, which operates with two seats in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and Lisbon, Portugal, offers institutional support and facilities for proceedings concerning resolution of patent disputes within the jurisdiction of the UPC and other European patent and European patent with unitary effect related disputes. With the aim of improving efficiency and flexibility, the PMAC supports appropriate dispute resolution (ADR) methods, providing effective pathways for resolving patent disputes and advancing the UPC's objective of offering alternatives to litigation. Disputants could refer to the PMAC either their pending litigated disputes at the UPC or any other disputes, which are not litigated.Its working languages are English, French, and German, ensuring broad accessibility for European and international patent stakeholders.
Public consultation on draft Mediation Rules The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on draft Mediation Rules. The consultation aims to ensure a high-quality, transparent, and user-focused regulatory framework. The draft document has been developed and revised with reference to international benchmarking materials reflecting best practices from comparable institutions, which are also made available as part of this consultation. Stakeholders are invited to review the draft document and submit proposed amendments, accompanied by explanatory notes, by 21 July 2025. All relevant materials and instructions for submission are available below. Please note that the public consultation on the draft Arbitration Rules will follow in due course.