Preparations for Ratification of UPC Agreement by UK Nearing Completion

Yesterday, the Grand Committee of the House of Lords in the UK approved the draft Unified Patent Court (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2017. This follows approval by the UK House of Commons on 4 December 2017. The Order confers legal status on the Unified Patent Court and is required for the Unified Patent Court to have a Division in the United Kingdom. All that remains now is for the Order to be voted on by the House of Lords (without debate) and approval by the Privy Council, both of which are expected to be a formality. The UK will then be in a position to ratify the Agreement on the Unified Patent Court.