The fact that the UPC entered the final furlong was one of the biggest developments of 2022. So, it’s only right that the person who will soon become the new court’s most senior judge gets a mention in this list.
Germany’s Klaus Grabinski was revealed as president of the UPC Court of Appeal in October. The news was met with universal acclaim from those who knew him well – namely German litigators who spent years arguing in front of him.
He has made an instant impact. In November, in his first interview since taking on his role at the UPC, Grabinski told Managing IP that the court could introduce guidelines to address concerns over judicial conflicts of interest.
Grabinski has been a judge at the German Federal Court of Justice since 2009.
In addition to being named as the senior judge, the German was active in the working group that wrote the Rules of Procedure.
In a 2020 interview with Managing IP – at a time when the future of the UPC was still uncertain– Grabinski said he remained positive that the project would come into fruition and that endurance would be key to seeing it through.
His view has been vindicated. We at Managing IP look forward to Grabinski’s first few months in office and seeing how the UPC takes shape.
