The Registered Designs (Amendment) Rules 1999
These Rules amend the Registered Designs Rules 1995 (S.I. 1995/2912). In addition to minor and drafting amendments, these Rules:—make provision for the particular size and number of documents and representations of designs filed before the registrar (rules 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9);make provision for the form of certificate and omit Schedule 2 (rules 10 and 21);make provision for the registrar to vary time limits where he considers it appropriate and to call case management conferences or set pre-hearing reviews in relation to the exercise of his discretionary powers (rules 12, 13 and 14);make provision for the giving of evidence by witness statement and the calling of witnesses in certain circumstances (rules 15, 16 and 17);extend the hours during which public inspection of the register is permitted, to between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on business days (rule 18);extend the hours for certain transactions of business of the Patent Office from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (rule 19);make Tuesday 4th January 2000 an excluded day; that is to say a day on which the Patent Office is closed for the purposes of the transaction by the public of business with that Office (rule 20); andomit the requirement to use Designs Form 9A in relation to extensions for further periods of five years (rule 11).