Patents Act 1977

85 European patent attorneys

(1) For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that any person whose name appears on the European list shall not be guilty of an offence under section 21 of the [1974 c. 47.] Solicitors Act 1974 or Article 22 of the [S.I. 1976/582 (N.I. 12).] Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 by reason only of his describing himself as a European patent attorney.

(2) A person whose name appears on the European list shall not be guilty of an offence under any of the enactments mentioned in subsection (3) below by reason only of the preparation by him of any document (other than a deed) for use in proceedings before the comptroller under this Act, in relation to a European patent or application for such a patent.

(3) The enactments referred to in subsection (2) above (which prohibit the preparation for reward of certain instruments or writs by persons not legally qualified) are—

(a) section 22 of the Solicitors Act 1974 ;

(b) section 39 of the [1933 c. 21.] Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1933 ; and

(c) Article 23 of the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976

(4) In this section "the European list" means the list of professional representatives maintained by the European Patent Office in pursuance of the European Patent Convention.