As by January 1, 2026, GEISTWERT partner Rainer Schultes was admitted to the list of neutrals of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) of the UPC as Member of the Arbitral Tribunal.
The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) serves as a specialized institution for resolving patent disputes through mediation, arbitration and other appropriate dispute resolution processes. The PMAC is an integral part of the Unified Patent Court, with its governance and finances embedded within the UPC’s overall structure.
The PMAC, which operates with two seats in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and Lisbon, Portugal, offers institutional support and facilities for proceedings concerning resolution of patent disputes within the jurisdiction of the UPC and other European patent and European patent with unitary effect related disputes.
With the aim of improving efficiency and flexibility, the PMAC supports appropriate dispute resolution (ADR) methods, providing effective pathways for resolving patent disputes and advancing the UPC’s objective of offering alternatives to litigation. Disputants could refer to the PMAC either their pending litigated disputes at the UPC or any other disputes, which are not litigated.
Its working languages are English, French, and German, ensuring broad accessibility for European and international patent stakeholders.