9.5.6 Request for interview

In T 182/90 (OJ 1994, 641), T 119/91, T 523/91, T 366/92, T 397/94 and T 245/15 the boards of appeal stated that it was not a substantial procedural violation within the meaning of R. 67 EPC 1973 if a request to be called back by or have an interview with the primary examiner was ignored. It was for the examiner's discretion whether to conduct such informal discussions in accordance with the Guidelines, bearing in mind the particular circumstances of the case (see also T 300/89, OJ 1991, 480).