The Role of Technically Qualified Judges (TQJs) in the UPC

As the Unified Patent Court (UPC) continues to take shape, the role of Technically Qualified Judges (TQJs) is becoming increasingly significant.

To explore this topic and provide a unique opportunity for direct engagement with TQJs and leading UPC litigators, the event "The Role of the TQJ in the UPC" will take place on March 26th 2025 at the Hilton | The Hague.

This gathering will bring together TQJs from various UPC Member States and legal experts to share their insights and experiences on judicial decision-making, procedural strategies, and the broader impact of TQJs on UPC proceedings.

Jacobacci & Partners will also contribute to the event with the participation of Andrea Perronace, Partner – Italian and European Patent Attorney, and Technically Qualified Judge, as a speaker.

The event will feature two panel discussions focusing on key aspects of the UPC, followed by a closing debate.

Date: Wednesday, March 26 – Walk-in from 1:30 pm CET
Location: Hilton | The Hague

Program

• 1:30 pm - Registration
• 2.00 pm - Opening by Wim Maas, Taylor Wessing 
• 2:10 - 3:10 pm - First panel session "More Beta Brains on Bench”, moderated by Prof. Tilman Müller-Stoy (Bardehle Pagenberg)  
  Panel members: Andrea Perronace (Jacobacci & Partners, TQJ), Bernard Ledeboer (TQJ), Christoph Schober (TQJ) Bas Berghuis (Simmons), Julia Ericsson (Sandart), Robert Earle (Ericsson)
• 3:10 pm - Networking break 
• 3.30 - 4:30 pm - Second panel session “Playing with Procedure”, moderated by Karin Westerberg (Sandart) 
  Panel members: Jeroen Meeuwisse (TQJ), Alain Dumont (TQJ), Michel Abello (TQJ), Jan Ackermann (Cohausz & Florack), Marie Keup (Taylor Wessing), Lionel Martin (August Debouzy)
• 4.35 - 5.00 pm - Final closing debate “Statler, Waldorf & Co” between Arvid van Oorschot (Vondst), Fabrizio Jacobacci (Jacobacci Avvocati), Amanda Krebs-Granqvist (Sandart) and Max Tilmann (TQJ)
• 5:00 pm - Closing and invite for networking drinks by Wim Maas, Taylor Wessing.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.