Code of Conduct and Discipline

All members who join the Institute agree to abide by the Institute's Rules of Professional Conduct. These are written to ensure that clients consulting a firm of patent attorneys will receive accurate and impartial advice which puts their interests foremost. The Institute issues, from time to time, updated Guidelines on the Observance of the Rules of Conduct (which can also be found in the 'rules of professional conduct' link above).

On the rare occasion that an error may occur, and a client may feel that he/she has received poor service from a patent attorney, the Institute expects firms to have in-place an internal complaints procedure to resolve the issue with the client. If this fails, the Institute may be able to assist by conciliating between the client and the patent attorney, or by investigating the client's complaint. There are a number of sanctions which can be applied, from a reprimand, through an order over to pay compensation and/or to forego fees, to enclusion or suspension from membership.

Details of how to complain about a patent attorney are included in a leaflet which can be downloaded from here. Formal complaints should be submitted in writing, including a complaints form which can be downloaded from here. The detailed procedure for dealing with complaints can be downloaded from here.