A stay of proceedings under Rule 14(1) takes immediate effect as from the date the EPO is provided with satisfactory evidence that national proceedings have been instituted against the applicant seeking a decision within the meaning of Art. 61(1) (J 9/12).
The requirements for effectively initiating court proceedings are governed by national law (J 7/00).
Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/html/guidelines/e/a_iv_2_2_2.htm
Date retrieved: 17 May 2021