4. Introduction to the Informals

4. Introduction to the Informals

The Informals is a group for the student members of CIPA, primarily comprising trainee patent attorneys who are new, partially qualified, or single qualified in the UK or Europe. All CIPA student members automatically become members of the Informals, making prompt payment of CIPA student membership crucial! Often, employers cover this fee.

Trainees stay with the Informals until fully qualified. However, we are more than happy to support recently dual-qualified European (‘EPA’) and Chartered Patent Attorneys (‘CPA’) as you make the transition from trainee to ‘going solo’.

The Informals offers a robust support network, including social events, mental wellbeing resources, exam support, and more. The volunteer-driven Informals Committee and members spread across the UK. It regularly organises social, educational, wellbeing, and sporting events – be sure to sign up to reminders from the Informals and contact your local Regional Representative to make sure that you receive reminders about events near you.

Since Autumn 2014, the Informals has been an official CIPA Committee, reporting to the CIPA Council and the Internal Governance Committee. Prior to then the Informals was – as the name suggests – an informal collective for trainee patent attorneys. Beginning in 1929, the Informals would slip a yellow sheet of paper into trainees’ copies of the CIPA Journal for distribution, providing trainee-specific news and articles. This tradition continues nearly 100-years on with our monthly publication of The Yellow Sheet.

The Informals Committee also advises on training and support needs and meets twice yearly with the PEB Governance Board to discuss examination issues. Feedback on exams is always welcome, along with any other suggestions you might have.