The DIS is please to share that the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) has officially commenced operations on 12 May 2026.
After having published its Rules of Procedure, following their adoption by the UPC Administrative Committee on 24 April 2026, the services of the Centre will now be introduced in several phases over the course of the year.
In the first phase, the PMAC will provide support for ADR information sessions and mediation proceedings. Expert determination services will follow in the second phase, while arbitration proceedings are expected to be administered from November 2026 onwards.
The PMAC is intended to provide a specialised ADR framework for disputes relating to European patents and UPC proceedings. Considering the increasing importance of patent litigation in Europe, the Centre may become an additional forum of interest for parties, counsel and neutrals active in the field of intellectual property disputes.
DIS encourages its members with relevant expertise to consider registering with the PMAC as arbitrators, mediators or experts/neutrals. The Centre may also be of interest to practitioners advising clients in UPC-related matters.
Further information, including the PMAC Rules of Procedure and registration details, is available on the PMAC website.
Carla Mackensen