10-day rule in EQE 2024

As you know, the 10-day rule of Rule 126(2) EPC will be abolished on 1st November 2023, making the time limit calculations a lot easier in the future (both in real life and in the EQE).

When it comes to the EQE, the cut-off date for the applicable law is supposed to be 31 October (about 4 months before the exams), at least it was in the last years. As a consequence, candidates (and tutors) preparing for the EQE 2024 have been confused whether this big change should be taken into account in the next EQE or not. To make the situation a bit more messy, WISEflow offers candidates simple online access to the newest versions of the EPC and Guidelines, so candidates have to be especially careful during the EQE.

Luckily, the Supervisory Board confirmed on 26th June 2023 that both versions (10-day rule or NO 10-day rule) will be accepted in the next EQE. See their published notice related to the applicability of the 10-day rule. However, the default is not what you would expect, see below.

In short, the default is the law in force on 1 November, so NO 10-day rule in the EQE 2024.

However, you can use the 10-day-rule (as in force on 31 October) and it will be also accepted as long as you clearly indicate it in your answer.