Ex Parte

The examiner dealing with a registered design application may have raised objections to it. If it has not been possible to resolve these but the applicant disagrees with the decision, they can request an "ex parte" hearing.

An ex parte hearing is an informal, but nevertheless a quasi-judicial, proceeding between the registered design applicant or registered proprietor (or their agent or representative) and the Registrar. No other party may attend.

Additionally, an ex-parte hearing can be requested if the proprietor of a design which is already registered wishes to make a change of some sort but the Registrar has objected to the amendment.

The hearing will give the applicant, proprietor or their representative a chance to present their case directly to the Registrar. The Hearing Officer will issue an oral decision at the conclusion of the hearing. The decision arising from the hearing can be appealed, but a full written decision must be requested if an appeal is sought.