PMAC strengthens dialogue and cooperation with judges in Europe on ADR

Aleš Zalar, PMAC Director presented the Centre’s early achievements and strategic priorities at the 11th IP Judges Community Meeting that took place in Alicante on 29 October 2026. The meeting was chaired by Sven Stürmann, President of the EUIPO Boards of Appeal. Discussions focused on recent developments in IP mediation, particularly the most appropriate stage at which to propose mediation in judicial proceedings and its contribution to the effective resolution of disputes.

The EUIPO event provided an opportunity to exchange views on the role of mediation in judicial proceedings and to deepen dialogue between PMAC and national judges. A central theme was cooperation that can support the use of mediation and other forms of ADR as an avenue for the amicable resolution of intellectual property disputes. Speaking during the session on IP mediation, PMAC Director invited national judges and courts to strengthen their cooperation with PMAC and build on good practices in the mediation of intellectual property disputes also by signing memorandums of understanding/cooperation. Several participants highlighted the rapid development of PMAC and its services since the Centre’s establishment.

Karin Kuhl, Director of the EUIPO Mediation Centre, presented the Centre’s latest activities and key achievements. On the previous day, on 28 October, the teams of the EUIPO Mediation Centre and PMAC held a dedicated working meeting to exchange experiences on the operational management of mediation services. Particular attention was given to the experience gained by the EUIPO Mediation Centre in recent years and its relevance to the further development of mediation services. Both teams reaffirmed their positive cooperation to date, while the meeting provided an opportunity for an in-depth professional exchange on the practical aspects of managing the two centres.

Alongside the IP Judges Community Meeting, the Director of PMAC also presented the Centre to the GEMME IP Working Group, further reinforcing the institutional cooperation with GEMME Europe and its President, Marielle Schumacker.

Discussions with both EUIPO representatives and the GEMME IP Working Group also explored opportunities for cooperation on the training of national judges and the development of training curriculum. These exchanges complement the broader dialogue on familiarising judges with mediation and supporting its use in resolving intellectual property disputes.