UPC Conference
The Unified Patent Court - Due Process and Legitimacy
Monday, 1 December 2025
The establishment of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) represents a significant milestone in harmonizing patent litigation across European Union member states. With its innovative concept and complex beginnings, the UPC continues to be a topic of interest and scrutiny for scholars, the judiciary and practitioners.
The UPC's purpose is primarily procedural: to be "organized in the most efficient and cost effective manner" thereby ensuring "equitable access to justice" (UPCA Preamble). Against this background, the conference aims to provide a platform for thought-provoking discussions on some of the procedural challenges facing the UPC with a special focus on questions of due process and legitimacy.
Program
Monday, 1 December 2025
09:00 - 09:15
Welcome
- Prof. Dr. Michael Grünberger, LL.M. (NYU), President of Bucerius Law School
09:15 - 10:00
Keynote
- Dr. Klaus Grabinski, President of the UPC Court of Appeal
Comment
- Prof. Dr. Axel Metzger, LL.M. (Harvard), Humboldt University Berlin
10:00 - 10:20
Coffee Break
10:20 - 12:20
PANEL 1: Establishing Legitimacy in a Competitive Judicial Landscape
- Presentation: Prof. Dr. Stefan Bechtold, J.S.M. (Stanford), ETH Zurich
The Competitive Judiciary: Supply, Demand and Legitimacy in Patent Law
- Kai Härmand, UPC Stockholm Regional Division
- Prof. Dr. Tilman Müller-Stoy, Bardehle Pagenberg
- Philipp Rastemborski, LL.M. (Edinburgh), Eisenführ Speiser
- Ronny Thomas, UPC Düsseldorf Local Division
- Moderation: Prof. Dr. Axel Metzger, LL.M. (Harvard), Humboldt University Berlin
12:20 - 13:20
Joint Lunch Break
13:20 - 14:50
PANEL 2: Effective Legal Protection and Procedural Safeguards
- Presentation: Prof. Dr. Christian Heinze, LL.M. (Cambridge), University of Cologne
Provisional Measures in the UPC: Recent Practice and Perspectives
- Dr. Johannes Bukow, LL.M. (Edinburgh), Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
- Sabine Klepsch, UPC Hamburg Local Division
- Moderation: Prof. Dr. Linda Kuschel, LL.M. (Harvard), Bucerius Law School
14:50 - 15:10
Coffee Break
15:10 - 16:40
PANEL 3: Transparency and Confidentiality
- Presentation: Prof. Dr. Esther van Zimmeren, LL.M. (Leuven), University of Antwerp
Building Trust in the UPC: the Importance of Transparency and Confidentiality
- Prof. Dr. Aloys Hüttermann, Michalski Hüttermann & Partner
- Dr. Stefan Schilling, UPC Hamburg Local Division
- Moderation: Prof. Dr. Dana Beldiman, LL.M. (Santa Clara), Bucerius Law School
16:40 - 17:00
Closing Remarks
- Prof. Dr. Dana Beldiman, LL.M. (Santa Clara), Bucerius Law School
- Prof. Dr. Linda Kuschel, LL.M. (Harvard), Bucerius Law School
17:00
Reception
organisational information
You can attend the event in person at Bucerius Law School or online (to allow international participation).
When you signed up for the online conference, you will receive the login details to the e-mail address with which you registered.
The login details will be sent two days before the conference.
Classic elegance over two levels
Located on the upper floor of the historic central building, the Moot Court occupies the majority of the domed structure connecting the east and south wings. A glass cupola and arched windows illuminate the space and a gallery balustrade provides guests with a view from above of presentations and discussion.
Bucerius Law School
Jungiusstraße 6
20355 Hamburg
Public Parking
Bucerius Law School does not have public parking. Public parking garages are located in the direct neighborhood. There are several spots in the Messe-Ost parking garage.
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