Düsseldorf UPC local division expands with new panel under Bérénice Thom

The Unified Patent Court (UPC) has confirmed the creation of an additional panel at its Düsseldorf facility, with Bérénice Thom (PICTURED) appointed to lead it. The expansion, which takes effect on 1 March, coincides with patent judge Ingo Rinken joining the division on a full-time basis.

Official records from the UPC indicate that the Düsseldorf site, currently staffed by three judges (Ronny Thomas, Jule Schumacher, and Bérénice Thom) will split into two separate panels. The decision to establish the second unit and appoint Thom as its chair was made by the presidium during a meeting in Paris on 20 January.

Rinken’s transfer from Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, where he previously served in the 15th senate, was reported in December alongside several other judicial appointments across UPC divisions in Munich, The Hague, and the Nordic-Baltic region. Schumacher joined the Düsseldorf division in February 2025 from the 2nd Civil Senate of the same higher court.

The restructuring divides responsibilities between two panels: the first headed by Ronny Thomas with Schumacher, while the second will operate under Thom’s direction. Previously, the three judges managed cases in rotating configurations with Thomas as chair, joined by either Thom or Schumacher alongside international and, when required, technical judges.

Growing workload drives structural changes

Düsseldorf ranks as the second-busiest UPC location by volume of proceedings, trailing only Munich. Observers had anticipated this organisational development since last summer, drawing parallels with Munich’s structure. The Court of Appeal has similarly added a third panel to manage increasing demands.

Munich and Düsseldorf now stand as the sole local divisions operating with dual panels. Given Munich’s caseload, industry watchers are already questioning whether a third panel might be necessary there.

The 20 January decision also formalised panel leadership in Munich, confirming Matthias Zigann as presiding judge of the first panel and Daniel Voss – whose appointment had been previously disclosed – for the second.