European Patent Court
(Unified Patent Court) A proposed court that will exercise specialized jurisdiction in patent disputes throughout the EU, thus avoiding the need for separate litigation in multiple member states. An agreement to establish such a court was signed by 25 EU states (all the then members except Poland, Spain, and Croatia) in 2013; Croatia later decided to join, and the UK withdrew as a consequence of Brexit. It is not yet clear when the UPC will enter into force.

• behaviour
• belligerent communities, recognition of
• bench
• Benchers
• bench warrant
• beneficial interest
• beneficial owner
• beneficiary
• beneficiary principle
• benefits in kind
• benevolent purposes
• Benjamin order
• bequeath
• bequest
• bereaved minor’s trust
• bereavement benefit
• bereavement, damages for
• Berne Convention
• best-evidence rule
• best interests
• best value
• Beth Din
• betting duty
• bias
• bid