Over the past 40 years, the Boards of Appeal have developed a substantial body of case law: during this time, we have dealt with more than 46 000 cases and issued over 35 000 decisions. In the same period, the Enlarged Board of Appeal has handed down more than 100 decisions and opinions under Article 112 EPC, in order to clarify legal points of fundamental importance and ensure a uniform application of the law.

According to Art. 10(1) EPC the European Patent Office is managed by the President, who is responsible for its activities to the Administrative Council. To this end, Art. 10(2)(a) EPC empowers and requires the President to "take all necessary steps to ensure the functioning of the European Patent Office".