Opposition hearings

Once the evidence stages in an opposition or dispute are complete, you'll be able to request a hearing to present your submissions.

How the process works

You can request to be heard in either an oral hearing or by written submission.

Oral hearings

An oral hearing is an interactive presentation conducted by a Hearing Officer.

Oral hearings are usually held online, but they can be held by exception at:

• Our Canberra office
• Another location by request.

At least one person involved in the hearing has to appear. For example if you appear, the other party can 'appear' via written submission. Alternatively, you can elect to have the matter decided by way of written submissions only.

How it works

Before the hearing, you'll need to:

• Let us know how you'd like to attend -- via telephone, video conference or in person
• Provide a written summary of your submissions (optional)
• Pay the relevant fees.

At the oral hearing:

1. The hearing officer will introduce the matter and the parties
2. The opponent will provide oral submissions
3. The applicant will provide oral submissions
4. Both sides will be given the chance to make final comments on any issues raised during submission
5. The hearing officer will conclude the hearing and reserve their decision.

Hearings by written submission

This involves making decisions based on filed evidence and any written submissions alone.

How it works

Before the hearing, you'll need to:

• Provide a written summary of your submissions
• Pay the relevant fees.

In your submissions, you should include:

• Why each ground of opposition is or is not established
• Legal arguments supporting your case
• How each side's evidence supports your conclusion.

Hearing requirements

Each type of IP right has slightly different requirements during opposition hearings.

Withdrawal from the proceedings

You can withdraw from hearing proceedings at any time. If you're starting to consider withdrawing, it's usually better to stop the proceedings sooner than later. The further into the proceedings you withdraw, the higher the expenses and the greater the risk that costs may be awarded against you.

Decisions

A hearing officer will consider all submissions and evidence before making a decision.

Once it's been made, we'll notify you about the:

• Decision on the opposition or objection
• Statement of reasons for the decision
• Decision on any application for awarding costs.

Costs

We may award costs in proceedings, however, the costs you can claim won't always cover what you've spent to prosecute the opposition. If an opposition or dispute proceeding is resolved before a hearing, an award of costs can still be made.

Appeals

If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal to:

• The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) within 28 days of the delegate's decision, or
• The Federal Court of Australia within 21 days of the delegate's decision, and
• The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (for trade marks and designs).

You'll need to make your appeal within 21 days of the delegate's decision.