Hearing Officer & Senior Hearing Officer (Tribunal)

Job summary

Hearing Officer & Senior Hearing Officer (Tribunal)

The Intellectual Property Office (‘IPO’) Challenge Team (historically known as the Tribunal) consists of approximately 140 colleagues, and handles disputes involving trade marks, registered designs, patents, and company names. Over 90% of our work relates to contested trade mark applications or registrations.

The post holder will become part of 40+ person team of hearing officers responsible for making legally sound decisions, covering both procedural and substantive matters. Examples of decisions produced by our hearing officers can be found online here.

Working Style

This role will be carried out in-line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in our NewportOffice.

The requirement for attendance at an office location can vary by role so we would encourage candidates to discuss working arrangements with the recruiting manager to agree a reasonable balance between working from home and the office.

Job description

We are seeking to recruit hearing officers at both the lower C1 and higher C2 grades. Whilst the core responsibilities at both grades are similar, casework and broader responsibilities are triaged and allocated according to legal complexity. The following two job descriptions identify both the common elements and the key distinctions:

C1 Hearing Officer

• Writing and issuing trade mark opposition and cancellation decisions via application of the Trade Marks Act 1994 and relevant case law (at C1 grade, most casework involves a consideration of the likelihood of confusion between two or more trade marks)
• Assessing evidence submitted by the parties e.g. as part of considering ‘proof of use’ provisions
• Considering procedural matters and drafting/issuing related procedural decisions (hearing officers have complete autonomy over the handling of procedural issues, and are supported by a team of tribunal caseworkers and technical leads)
• Conducting case management conferences to ensure cases are dealt with fairly and expeditiously
• Staying informed of case law developments, and sharing views with colleagues (once trained, all hearing officers are expected to demonstrate our core values by e.g. knowledge-sharing, assisting and advising colleagues, and generally demonstrating positive behaviours)

C2 Senior Hearing Officer

• Writing and issuing trade mark opposition, cancellation and rectification decisions via application of the Trade Marks Act 1994 and relevant case law (in contrast to C1 hearing officers, C2 officials are required to decide more complex cases involving e.g. bad faith, passing off, reputation etc.)
• Writing and issuing decisions relating to registered designs and company names (this would be expected only after the individual has demonstrated competency in dealing with trade mark cases)
• Conducting main hearings with trade mark attorneys, barristers, solicitors, and/or private litigants
• Considering higher-complexity procedural matters and drafting/issuing related procedural decisions on issues such as confidentially, cross-examination requests, disclosure, and survey evidence (as with the C1 role, C2 hearing officers have complete autonomy over the handling of procedural issues, and are supported by caseworkers and technical leads)
• Conducting case management conferences to ensure cases are dealt with fairly and expeditiously
• Staying informed of case law developments, sharing views with colleagues, and leading on training and practice activities (once trained, all hearing officers are expected to demonstrate our core values by e.g. knowledge-sharing, assisting and advising colleagues, and generally demonstrating positive behaviours)

Progression from C1 to C2

For hearing officers occupying the lower C1 band, the role provides a non-competitive progression route for moving into the higher C2 band. Progression typically takes around two to four years depending on performance, experience and suitability. Progression boards are typically run every other year.

Person specification

Qualifications and/or relevant experience

Applicants must be able to demonstrate at least one of the following:

• Law degree at grade 2:1 or higher
• Recognised legal/intellectual property qualification such as solicitor, barrister, trade mark attorney, Master of Laws
• Substantial and demonstrable experience of working within the intellectual property sector

Where candidates do not hold formal legal qualifications and are instead relying upon experience, they must clearly evidence a strong understanding of intellectual property law and practice, and the practical application of this knowledge in a professional or operational context.

All applications will be assessed consistently against the published criteria for the role.

Additional information relating to the higher C2 Senior Hearing Officer role

In addition to the requirements set out above, applicants seeking to be recruited at the higher C2 grade must be able to demonstrate long-standing and proven experience in a highly relevant area of legal practice. Ideally, such candidates will possess at least three years’ experience of working on inter partes trade mark proceedings, preferably with experience of acting before the IPO Tribunal.

If you wish to be considered for the higher C2 grade, you should clearly indicate this as part of your application - preferably as part of your personal statement.

Where you have indicated a preference for consideration at the higher C2 role, your application will automatically be considered and assessed for both the higher C2 and lower C1 roles.

How to Apply

Click the 'Applynow' button and complete the application form by providing the following:

750-word Personal Statement

• Use this to explain why you're suitable for the role.
• Structure your statement around the essential criteria in the Person Specification.
• Make sure to provide clear examples to show how you meet each requirement.

For further information on the sift and interview stages of this recruitment campaign, please head to our 'Things you need to know' section below.

Please visit our Civil Service Careers page - IPO – Recruitment Support , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)

If you require job-specific information, please contact Nathan Abraham.
E-mail: nathan.abraham@ipo.gov.uk
Telephone: 01633 814295

Mark King
Email: mark.king@ipo.gov.uk
Telephone: 01633 814462

Qualifications

Applicants must be able to demonstrate at least one of the following:
• Law degree at grade 2:1 or higher
• Recognised legal/intellectual property qualification such as solicitor, barrister, trade mark attorney, Master of Laws
• Substantial and demonstrable experience of working within the intellectual property sector

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Candidates seeking consideration at the higher C2 grade will also be assessed against their knowledge of inter partes trade mark law and practice.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,319, Intellectual Property Office contributes £14,287 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A flexible working scheme with excellent development opportunities
• 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments (1 day per year) over 5 years of reckonable service. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave
• Family friendly policies that support modern working families and individuals with caring responsibilities
• A variety of support functions; Staff Counselling Service, Peer to Peer Support Group
• Eligibility for special and office-wide bonus payments
• The opportunity to form part of our many inclusive network groups, find out more by looking at Intellectual Property Office (IPO) (diversityjobsgroup.com)
• A range of wellbeing initiatives; Onsite Gym (Newport office), Eye Care Scheme, Volunteering Programme, Cycling facilities
• Free car parking is available on site at our Newport office
• On-site shop, restaurant and coffee shop at our Newport office

For more information about what’s on offer at the Intellectual Property Office please review our IPO benefit pack attached to the bottom of this advert.

Please note that benefits may be subject to change.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

The assessment process will comprise of the following:

Stage 1 – Sift

An initial sift of applications will be carried out to create a shortlist. This will be based on the evidence provided for the following Success Profile elements:

Experience

Your 750 word Personal statement will demonstrate your Experience against the listed person specification/essential criteria

Stage 2 - Written exercise

Please note:The written exercise will be held in-person at our Newport, South Wales, premises.

The exercise will test your ability to understand, process and interpret a set of principles, apply them to a particular scenario, and then present your findings and conclusions in the form of a short written decision.

To ensure that candidates’ performance is fairly and objectively assessed, the written exercise will be held in-person. Therefore, applicants who have progressed to the second stage will be required to travel to our Newport premises. Whilst the exercise will last for exactly one hour, applicants should expect to set aside approximately three hours in Newport.

We recognise that the date and time provided above may not suit all candidates. Whilst we expect all applicants to make every effort to attend on the date shown above, there may be scope for arranging alternative arrangements where persuasive reasons are provided.

Further information relating to the written exercise will be provided to candidates as part of the invitation to participate.

Stage 3 – Interviews

If invited to interview Behaviours and Technicalbased questioning will be used.

Specific information regarding the Success Profile elements that will be assessed at interview will be contained within the interview invitation.

Interviews for this role will be carried out in person at our Newport Office.

For candidates seeking consideration at the C1 grade, interview questions will focus on the ‘Civil Service Behaviours’ Success Profile element. For those seeking consideration at the higher C2 grade, questions will also focus on the ‘Technical’ Success Profile element (in addition to ‘Civil Service Behaviours’).

This recruitment campaign will keep a reserve list for 12 months. If you meet the requirements for this role but aren't offered after passing the interview, you'll be placed on the reserve list. If a suitable position opens up during this time, we will reach out to individuals in merit order.

The successful candidate would be expected to remain in the role for a minimum of 12 months before applying for another role.

The Recruitment team operational hours are 09:00 to 17:00 Monday – Friday excluding bank holidays.

Applicants to note:CVs sent direct to the IPO will not be accepted.

This post is being advertised to Internal, acrossGovernment and external candidates at the same time.

Incomplete and/or late submissions will not be accepted or considered. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

We do not routinely reimburse travel expenses for candidates, however if participating in the selection process would cause you undue financial hardship or if it restricts your ability to participate, please contact the recruitment team for more information.

In line with Government guidance, successfully appointed candidates will need to provide documents for our Right to Work checks. Information on this will be sent within the invite to interview text.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, then please let the recruitment team know viarecruitment@ipo.gov.uk

In the event of a high volume of applications, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) reserves the right to raise the minimum qualifying score at sift to manage volumes and ensure a proportionate and fair assessment process.

Please be aware that only one application per candidate is permitted for each recruitment campaign. Multiple applications, including those made using different accounts, may result in your application being withdrawn or rejected at any stage of the process.

For more information on the IPO’s terms and conditions, please review the attached IPO Modernised Terms and Conditions document attached at the bottom of this advert.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : IPO Recruitment team
• Email : recruitment@ipo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ipo.gov.uk

Further information

Commissioners Statement
The Civil Service recruits by merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

Complaints Procedure:
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, please contact;
Penny Phillpotts
Intellectual Property Office,
Concept House,
Cardiff Road,
Newport,
NP10 8QQ.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitm…

Attachments

What's on offer at the IPO Opens in new window (pdf, 2034kB)IPO Modernised Terms and Conditions Opens in new window (doc, 149kB)