The Trade Marks (Relative Grounds) Order 2007 No. 1976

Refusing to register a mark on a ground mentioned in section 5 of the Trade Marks Act 1994

4.  The registrar may, in connection with an examination under section 37(1) of the Trade Marks Act 1994, carry out a search of earlier trade marks for the purpose of notifying the applicant and other persons about the existence of earlier trade marks that might be relevant to the proposed registration.