Informative Notice
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Recognition of professional qualifications in patent representation acquired abroad
Professionals who wish to pursue the regulated profession of a patent representative in the Republic of Slovenia and have acquired their professional qualifications in one of the Member States of the European Union, the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation may submit an application for the recognition of professional qualifications to the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, competent to conduct the procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications for practising the profession of a patent representative. Candidates' competence to pursue the regulated profession is assessed in a special declaratory procedure that focuses on professional competencies rather than on their education acquired abroad. If the profession is not regulated in the country of origin of the qualifications, candidates have to meet the requirement of having pursued the activity concerned for one year during the previous ten years or completed regulated education and training geared to the pursuit of the profession. Candidates who meet the education and training requirements in the country of origin of the qualifications have their professional qualification for pursuing a particular profession recognised provided there are no major derogations from the requirements laid down for the pursuit of the profession in the regulations of the Republic of Slovenia. If the Ministry establishes in the procedure that the professional qualifications of a candidate derogate extensively from national requirements, candidates can be required to carry out one of the compensation measures, i.e.:
- an adaptation period, during which they fulfil the missing requirements; or
- an aptitude test.
The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology first examines the application and the attached supporting documents on the acquired professional qualifications and then, subject to national regulations, issues:
- a decision on the recognition of professional qualifications;
- an interim decision (in the case of a compensation measure); or
- a decision rejecting the recognition of professional qualifications.
The applicant who is issued a decision on the recognition of the professional qualification of patent representative shall obtain the right to pursue a certain regulated profession in the Republic of Slovenia when he/she fulfils the other requirements laid down by the law. The patent representative is subject to registration in the register kept by the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office.
When paying the fee using a universal payment order (UPN), please specify:
- Purpose of payment: ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FOR RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Recipient:
- Name: ADMINISTRATIVE FEES
- Street: Župančičeva 3
- Town: LJUBLJANA
- Account No: SI56 0110 0100 0315 637
- Reference: 11 33308-7111002-6010
Procedures
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Recognition of professional qualifications in patent representation acquired abroad
Personal
Attachments
- Certificate of a competent authority on compliance with the requirements for pursuing a regulated profession
- Diploma, certificate and other proof of formal education
- Proof of the content and course of the training indicating the duration of the training programme, related fields and courses taken by the candidate
- Proof of other qualifications and professional experience (if the profession is not regulated in the country of origin of the qualifications)
- Proof of citizenship (a copy of a valid identity card or passport)
- Proof of payment of the administrative fee
- Dokazilo o drugih kvalifikacijah in poklicnih izkušnjah (v primeru, če poklic v državi izvora kvalifikacij ni reguliran),
Procedure costs
Application for the recognition according to the general system: 35.00 €
Issuing of a decision on the recognition according to the general system: 35.00 €
Renewal term
There is no appeal against a decision issued by the competent ministry, though an administrative dispute may be initiated. An administrative dispute is commenced by an action.
The action is to be lodged directly with the Administrative Court of the Republic of Slovenia, Fajfarjeva 33, 1000 Ljubljana, during office hours or in due time by registered mail. If the action is sent by registered mail, the date of posting is considered the date of delivery to the court. Two copies of the administrative act challenged and two copies of the action – either as transcription or copy – are to be attached.
The time limit to bring the action is 30 days from the service of the decision that concluded the procedure.
Pursuant to the Courts Fees Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia [Uradni list RS], Nos 37/08, 97/10, 63/13, 58/14 – Constitutional Court Decision, 19/15 – Constitutional Court Decision, 30/16, 10/17 – ZPP-E, 11/18 – ZIZ-L and 35/18 – Constitutional Court Decision), a court fee under Heading No. 6111 in the amount of EUR 148 is to be paid when the action is brought. The court fee payment is to be made to bank account No. 01100-8450088976.