First WIPO Webinar for Judges on May 5, 2020: Delivering Justice for IP Cases during Covid-19 Confinement and Beyond

April 24, 2020

Judiciaries everywhere are facing obstacles in ensuring continued access to, and delivery of, justice at a scale that is unprecedented at the global level. Is it possible for courts to effectively adjudicate IP disputes during a time of physical distancing, confinement and lockdown? A number of national courts have taken up the challenge. Virtual hearing rooms and electronic depositions are allowing courts to operate without prolonged disruptions, but not without questions on how to ensure parties’ right to a fair trial and to preserve the probative value of testimony through the remoteness of virtual conferences.

Join eminent jurists from three continents, Justice Colin Birss, High Court of Justice of England and Wales, Judge Du Weike, Supreme People’s Court of China, and Judge Kathleen M. O’Malley, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, for an interactive webinar to discuss their experiences of delivering justice remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to share reflections on the opportunities and challenges for courts in continuing to adapt to new circumstances in the future.

judgesforum2018_birss_240 — Justice Colin Birss, High Court of England and Wales

judgesforum2018_omalley_240 — Judge Kathleen M. O’Malley, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

judgesforum2020_du_240 — Judge Du Weike, Supreme People’s Court of China

The webinar will address issues such as:

determining the appropriateness of remote adjudication for different stages of IP litigation,
dealing with the specificities of IP cases in a virtual context,
legal and procedural adaptations to enable virtual judicial case management,
reducing risks associated with new technology and geographical separation of participants, and
safeguarding fundamental concerns such as open justice, privacy and due process.

It will also cover lessons learned and examine whether potential reductions in time, cost and carbon footprint may lead to an increased use of technology in future courtrooms, and impact the evolution of the judicial administration of IP.

The webinar will be conducted in English on May 5, 2020 (14.00–15.00 CEST). Participation is open to judges only.