What is a Pre-Hearing Review (PHR)?

A Pre-Hearing Review (PHR) is a meeting between the parties and the Registrar conducted under Rule 36A of the Trade Marks Rules. The Registrar will ascertain from the parties whether there is any possibility of settlement or whether they wish to proceed to a full hearing.

If the parties are exploring settlement, the Registrar will give them time to do so.

If the parties wish to proceed to an Opposition Hearing, the Registrar will raise any relevant issues which need to be resolved before an Opposition Hearing.

The Opponent will also have to confirm the grounds of opposition on which it is proceeding, so that both parties have a common understanding on the grounds to address in their submissions.