Training

Patent trainee timeline to formal qualification

It typically takes five years to complete the necessary training and examinations to qualify as a patent attorney in both the UK and Europe at Carpmaels & Ransford.

Your journey to professional qualification

First year:

• Join us in September.
• Throughout your first year, you will undergo on-the-job training complemented by weekly in-house tutorials, led by partners or senior associates.

Second year:

• In September, you will attend the Queen Mary University’s “Certificate in Intellectual Property” course. You will continue to have on-the-job training and in-house tutorials after the completion of exams in January.

Third year:

• In February/March, you will sit the Pre-European Qualifying Examinations and also apply for one of the UK “Finals” papers (FD1) and the European Qualifying Examinations “Finals”. Internal and external revision courses are on offer to help you prepare for your exams.

Fourth year:

• You will sit your first UK Finals paper in October and the European Qualifying Examinations Finals in February/ March the following year. Subject to successfully passing the European Qualifying Examinations, you will then become a qualified European patent attorney.

Fifth year and Congratulations!

• You will sit your last UK Finals paper (FD4) in October and subject to successfully passing both the UK Finals papers and your European Qualifying Examinations, you are now fully qualified! On completion of formal training, Carpmaels & Ransford provides an in-house, basic ligation course (completed within three years of qualification).
• Internal and external training continues throughout your career.