1.The Committees referred to in Article 35(2) of the basic Regulation shall, at the discretion of the President of the Office, be composed of technical or legally qualified members, or both.
2.A technical member shall hold a degree, or shall be qualified by recognised experience, in the field of plant science.
3.A legally qualified member shall be a graduate in law or qualified by recognised experience in the field of intellectual property or plant variety registration.
1.A Committee shall, besides taking the decisions referred to in Article 35(2) of the basic Regulation, deal with:
the non-suspension of a decision pursuant to Article 67(2) of the basic Regulation,
interlocutory revision pursuant to Article 70 of the basic Regulation,
the restitutio in integrum pursuant to Article 80 of the basic Regulation, and
the award of costs pursuant to Article 85(2) of the basic Regulation and Article 75 of this Regulation.
2.A decision of the Committee shall be taken by a majority of its members.
1.The Committee shall designate one of its members as rapporteur on its behalf.
2.The rapporteur may in particular:
(a)perform the duties under Article 25 and monitor the submission of reports by the Examination Offices, referred to in Articles 13 and 14;
(b)pursue the procedure within the Office, including the communication of any deficiencies to be remedied by a party to proceedings and the setting of time limits; and
(c)ensure a close consultation and exchange of information with the parties to the proceedings.
The President of the Office shall ensure the consistency of decisions taken under his authority. He shall in particular lay down the conditions under which decisions on objections lodged pursuant to Article 59 of the basic Regulation, and also decisions pursuant to Articles 61, 62, 63 or 66 of that Regulation, are taken.
Members of the staff of the Office may use, free of charge, the premises of national agencies designated pursuant to Article 30(4) of the basic Regulation, and those of Examination Offices referred to in Articles 13 and 14 of this Regulation, for holding periodical consultation days with parties to proceedings and third persons.