5. Accelerated processing of oppositions 

In cases where an infringement action in respect of a European patent is pending before the Unified Patent Court or a national court of a contracting state, a party to the opposition proceedings may request accelerated processing. The request may be filed at any time. It must be filed in written reasoned form. In addition, the EPO will also accelerate the processing of the opposition if it is informed by the Unified Patent Court, the national court or the competent authority of a contracting state that infringement actions are pending (see the Notice of the EPO dated 17 March 2008, OJ EPO 2008, 221).