Driven by technological changes and the increasingly interconnected character of modern society, intellectual property (IP) disputes are becoming increasingly complex and global in nature. Consequently, courts around the world are confronting new legal, technical and procedural challenges. To support policymakers and judiciaries navigating these developments, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), through the WIPO Judicial Institute, has published the Judicial Structures and Procedural Rules for Intellectual Property Disputes: A Comparative Report, a new study examining how different jurisdictions organize and administer the resolution of IP disputes. The Comparative Report was authored by Professor Duncan Matthews, Queen Mary University of London and Lecturer Maciej Padamczyk, University of Liverpool. It was launched earlier this month at the 2026 WIPO IP Judges Forum.
Drawing on the law and practice of Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Japan, Kenya, the Philippines, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, the report explores a wide range of approaches to judicial structures, specialized courts, court-appointed experts, and procedural mechanisms tailored to IP adjudication. The publication responds to growing interest among WIPO Member States in strengthening access to justice, improving judicial efficiency and ensuring that courts are equipped to address the unique characteristics of intellectual property disputes. Rather than advocating a particular model, the report presents objective and comparative information that policymakers and judiciaries may draw upon when considering reforms that reflect national priorities and circumstances. It offers a valuable reference for those seeking to better understand how courts around the world are adapting to the evolving demands of IP adjudication and considerations for policymakers deciding whether to introduce specialized IP judicial and procedural arrangements into a particular jurisdiction.
A growing knowledge base for IP adjudication
Prepared as part of WIPO's ongoing work to support judiciaries worldwide, the Comparative Report builds on individual country reports published to complement the IP Judicial Structures & Procedures online tool. The tool is an online resource that provides an interactive gateway for exploring how jurisdictions around the world administer IP disputes, including the courts and quasi-judicial bodies involved, their organization and composition, and relevant procedural rules. Readers can access the individual country reports by selecting a jurisdiction in the “Get started” section. They can also use advanced filters to identify and compare countries by specific topics, such as specialized courts, technical expertise, fast-track procedures, case management, alternative dispute resolution and rules on evidence.