Alexander Ramsay’s name had been earmarked for this list before his announcement this month that he was stepping down as chair of the UPC Administrative (formerly preparatory) Committee.
Ramsay’s decision to leave the post he has become so well-known for in the patent community may not have come as a major shock. Nonetheless, it is a sign that the UPC is finally becoming a reality.
The UPC is set to open its doors in spring next year, and that’s largely thanks to Ramsay’s work over the years. The project took a major step forward earlier this year, with the announcement that 85 judges had been appointed to the court.
After his departure from the committee was revealed, Sweden national Ramsay, who is also a judge at the Swedish Patent and Market Court, told Managing IP that he had decided to leave because the court had staff and a judicial leadership in place.
Before stepping down, Ramsay was also influential in ensuring that the UPC would not be mired in transparency concerns.
Ramsay confirmed in June that the UPC would not place any public access restrictions on orders or judgments from the court. Previously, the preparatory committee suggested that court documents, including decisions and orders, should only be made available “upon reasoned request”.
Pleadings and evidence will still only be made available “upon reasoned request”.
The path to the UPC has not been an easy one, and at times it seemed it may never happen. But now we can all sit back and wait and see what happens. Ramsay, on the other hand, can enjoy some well-earned time off.
