The UPC’s new case management system

The Unified Patent Court (‘UPC’) completed the transition to the new case management system (‘CMS’) on 23 September 2025. The new CMS can be accessed here. This new platform is aimed at providing a more stream-lined and intuitive service, to improve efficiency for users handling cases before the UPC. Access to the old platform is no longer possible; the new platform has fully replaced the old system for filing and managing cases.

The new CMS appears to be clear and user-friendly and, so far, easier to use. Users have access to two applications. The Front Office is used for initiating proceedings and lodging opt-out applications, while the Front Office Portfolio allows you to manage your ongoing cases and correct or withdraw opt-out applications. The two interfaces look similar and are easy to navigate, although the Front Office Portfolio is slightly confusingly called ‘Front Office’ in the website banner. Any confusion can be cleared up by referring to the prompts which refer to ‘e-filing’ (i.e. the Front Office) versus ‘portfolio portal’ or ‘view and manage your tasks and track existing proceedings’ (i.e. the Front Office Portfolio).

From the Front Office website, you may register as a new user or sign in with your existing account (with existing accounts having been automatically transferred over to the new platform). If signing in with your existing account, you will need to reset your password by using the ‘forgot password’ function and following the prompts in an email sent from ‘Ticketing System Metis’. The new system replaces the Smart Card with multi-factor authentication. Each time you sign in, you must receive a one-time code via Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator or FreeOTP. These steps are set out in detail in the document ‘How to access the new CMS’.

From your Front Office homepage, you can click on your initials and follow the prompts to create an ‘organisation’ to work on cases together. Once created, click on the name of your organisation to access and edit your user profile. If you are eligible to be a Representative before the court, you must first file a registration request. If already registered, you will appear as a ‘Representative’ in your list of roles. You can edit your profile and add additional roles according to your permissions e.g. Sender, Signer, Payer, Admin, Drafter. Here you will also be able to invite other members to join. You may assign them any number of roles when issuing the invitation, except for the role of ‘Representative’ which can only be done via the registration procedure from an individual account.

After creating an organisation, you can file information either via your individual account or organisation account. If the information is sensitive and should not be accessible to everyone in the organisation, then you are advised to use your individual account. Documents filed by the opposing party which are classified as ‘restricted’ (i.e. only available to members of a confidentiality club) will only be visible to registered Representatives.

Note it is possible to create multiple organisations. When a case is in draft status, it may be moved from one organisation to another. After lodging the case with the court, it will appear in ‘sent’ status and only the main representative will be able to transfer it to another organisation. Guidance on setting up organisations may be found in the document ‘How to create an organisation’, here.

The UPC website also provides detailed guidance on lodging different types of proceedings here, filing and managing opt-out applications and registering as a Representative, here.

The ability to email using the system is a useful addition.

Written by Emily Flood and Sarah Taylor, Pinsent Masons LLP