In T 241/98 of 22 March 1999 date: 1999-03-22 the board of appeal observed that forming an opinion is one of the most important tasks of a board. Issuing a preliminary opinion is to be seen within this context and therefore cannot be regarded as partial (see also in this chapter III.J.6.2.2).
Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/html/caselaw/2019/e/clr_iii_j_5_2_1.htm
Date retrieved: 17 May 2021