Unitary European patent and UPC: Key benefits and enforcement in 2023

JUDr. Jakub Dohnal, Ph.D., LL.M.
JUDr. Jakub Dohnal, Ph.D., LL.M.
11.5.2026 | ARROWS law firm

The Unitary European Patent, launched in June 2023, is transforming the protection of innovations in Europe. It offers protection in up to seventeen EU Member States through a single filing and maintenance process. The Unified Patent Court (UPC) ensures a uniform approach to dispute resolution. It brings lower costs, speed, and greater legal certainty.

In the image, we see an attorney providing a consultation regarding the Unitary European Patent.

The Unitary Patent now covers 17 EU countries without the need for national validations, saving entrepreneurs and innovators administrative work, translations, and fees. This provides a single protection with unitary effect. 

The Unified Patent Court (UPC) also centralises both the enforcement and defence of patents, resolving infringement and validity disputes in a single set of proceedings and thereby reducing the costs of parallel litigation.

However, it is important to know that the new fee structure from January 2026 has increased litigation costs, with court fees rising by more than 30% at first instance and by up to 30% on appeal. For innovative companies, the strategic decision whether to opt out or to pursue active enforcement is therefore key to understanding both the benefits and the risks of centralised dispute resolution.

How the Unitary Patent works and what it means for you

The Unitary European Patent is a new type of patent protection that automatically obtains unitary effect in all European Union Member States that have ratified the relevant agreement. At present (April 2026), there are seventeen such states. 

These are Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Slovenia, and Sweden. The Czech Republic has not yet ratified the agreement; nevertheless, Czech entrepreneurs and innovation owners can still make full use of the Unitary Patent.

The key innovation is that instead of a traditional European patent, which after grant had to be “validated” in each country separately (meaning translations, local fees, and communication with individual national offices), you now file a single application. You then simply request “unitary effect” from the European Patent Office. If a dispute later arises over the scope of protection, evidence, or cross-border enforcement strategy, it may be handled through Commercial Litigation & Arbitration in the Czech Republic.

The work is done, and the coverage is uniform. In practice, it looks like this: if you come up with an innovative solution in IT, chemistry, or mechanical engineering, the usual historical process was as follows. You file an application with the European Patent Office (EPO), the EPO examines it under uniform standards, publishes the application, and then grants the patent – or refuses it.

Until the EPO grants the patent, nothing special happens; the patent is valid “at the European level”. However, immediately after grant the patent effectively splits: in each country you “designated” in the application, it became part of the national legal system and each country “administered” it under its own rules. This meant complicated administration and costs.

With the Unitary Patent – if you request “unitary effect” within three months from grant – the patent automatically becomes a single right for all seventeen participating states. You do not need to translate anything separately, and you do not pay individual validation fees.

One patent, one annual renewal fee – and you have protection across the entire participating territory. Where innovation relies on software outputs or machine-generated content, it is also important to clarify ownership and licensing early, as discussed in Who Owns AI-Generated Code? Key Risks and Contracts in the Czech Republic and EU. For technologies based on software or AI, contractual arrangements for development and rights to the results are also often addressed, which is practically covered by the article Software development using artificial intelligence – who owns the code?. For companies, this brings a number of concrete advantages. First, it saves money (you can save tens of thousands of Czech crowns on translations and local fees). Second, it saves time (instead of coordinating with eighteen national offices, you manage everything through a single window). And third, it provides legal certainty – the Unitary Patent has a single set of rules for its validity and scope of protection, which is clear and predictable.

Why the Unified Patent Court (UPC) is essential for enforcing rights

Just as important as the new form of patent is the new court infrastructure. The Unified Patent Court (UPC) is an international court established by the participating EU Member States and began operating in June 2023. In practice, enforcement planning often depends on how commercial agreements allocate responsibilities and remedies, which is why a structured approach to Corporate & Holding Services in the Czech Republic can be relevant for IP-heavy groups. 

Its purpose is to resolve all disputes concerning infringement and validity of Unitary Patents as well as classic European patents across all participating countries from a single forum.

Before the UPC was established, the situation was chaotic. If someone infringed your patent in Germany, France, and the Benelux, you had to file three separate lawsuits before three different national courts (German, French, and Belgian or Dutch). 

Each court decided under its own law, and each could reach a different conclusion as to whether the patent was valid or whether infringement had occurred. This fragmentation is also a recurring issue in broader cross-border risk management, as outlined in When External Counsel Fails: Internal Legal Team's Role in Business Risk Management in the Czech Republic. The result was inconsistent decisions, high costs for legal representation in several countries, lengthy proceedings, and uncertainty. In practice, it therefore makes sense to have key issues contractually addressed already when entering the market and setting up licences or cooperation with partners, typically using services in the area of contracts and negotiations. In such situations, procedural strategy and the management of evidence in the dispute typically come into play, with support from the team for commercial and litigation disputes.

The UPC seeks to address this through centralisation. You file a single infringement action before the UPC, which may concern infringement in any of the seventeen countries, and the UPC decides it in one set of proceedings. When practically setting up contractual relationships abroad (including choice of law and dispute resolution), it may also help to refer to an overview of how to prepare General Terms and Conditions for Germany: How to set them up so they stand up under German law. All decisions are uniform and apply across the entire territory of all participating Member States. 

Likewise, the defendant (the party against whom the action is brought) can challenge the validity of the patent in a single set of proceedings, and the UPC will decide centrally, with effect for all participating states.

The Unified Patent Court has three levels: the Court of First Instance (divided into local, regional, and central divisions with its main seat in Paris and sections in Munich and Milan), the Court of Appeal in Luxembourg, and the Registry. Your case usually starts at the Court of First Instance, and if you decide to go further, you can appeal to the Court of Appeal.

From the perspective of your business, this means: if you have a Unitary Patent and suspect a competitor of infringement, you can sue them directly before the UPC. The competitor cannot escape to another country with the argument “it is not infringement here”, because the UPC has decisive jurisdiction. 

At the same time, if a competitor challenges the validity of your patent, this again takes place before the UPC and the effect is pan-European – either your patent remains fully in force everywhere, or it remains confirmed by the court everywhere in a limited form. There is no room for split decisions. This is a revolution that reduces legal uncertainty and allows businesses to trust that their investment in innovation will be protected uniformly and effectively.

Practical aspects of enforcement – from notice to court

When you have a Unitary Patent and discover that someone is infringing it, the usual procedure is as follows:

First phase: Notice and negotiations

The first thing an experienced lawyer does is a careful infringement assessment. It is not easy to say that a competitor is infringing your patent without verifying it thoroughly. They must compare feature by feature – the specific elements of the competitor’s product – with what is defined by the patent claims.

Once specialised attorneys or your external legal counsel verify that the infringement is real, a notice is usually prepared (also called a “cease and desist letter”). 

This is not a legal document filed with the court; it is a letter to the competitor in which you notify them that you have a patent, that they are infringing your patent, and you call on them to stop the infringement and, where appropriate, you offer to negotiate a licence.

This phase is critical. Many disputes are resolved this way without court proceedings – the competitor takes your notice, verifies that you really do have a patent, and agrees with you on a licence agreement under which they pay you royalties (a certain percentage of their revenues from the product that uses your patent). 

For both sides, this is often the preferred outcome: you secure income, the competitor has a legal way to operate, and no one is burdened by litigation.

Specialised attorneys will help you substantiate the notice so that it is firm but legally safe. A flawed letter can sometimes be interpreted as manipulation or unjustified harassment and could expose you to a counterclaim.

Second phase: Preliminary injunction (preliminary injunction)

If negotiations fail, you have two options. One is to file the main action, but that takes time. The other, which is often filed at the same time, is an application for a preliminary injunction (in English “preliminary injunction” or “interim relief”). Legally speaking, this is a protective measure – an effort by the court to ensure that the situation does not worsen while waiting for the main proceedings.

Specifically: you ask the UPC to issue an order requiring the competitor to immediately stop the infringement – to pull the product from the market, stop production, and destroy remaining stock.

All of this even before the proceedings on the merits are concluded. The reason is obvious: the infringing product is being sold in the meantime, the competitor is making profits, you lose market share, and later, when you win in court, it will be difficult to “turn back time”.

For the UPC to grant such a preliminary injunction, you must meet several conditions. You must show that it is seriously likely that you will win – i.e., that your patent is apparently valid and the competitor is apparently infringing it. You must demonstrate that without such a measure you face irreparable harm (to the market, reputation, revenues). And you must show that urgency is high – that if measures are not taken now, the situation will deteriorate.

In January 2026, new court fee rates were introduced at the UPC. As regards a preliminary injunction, the court fee increased to EUR 14,000 per application. For a business dealing with infringement, this is a cost that often pays off. When a competitor sees a preliminary injunction, they usually back down. The case therefore never reaches the stage of lengthy court proceedings.

Third phase: Main proceedings before the Court of First Instance

If the matter is not resolved through negotiations or a preliminary injunction, you proceed to the main proceedings. Here you file a claim with the UPC requesting that the court find infringement of your patent, issue a perpetual injunction (a permanent prohibition of infringement), award you compensation (so-called damages) for the harm, and possibly also order the destruction of infringing goods.

Calculating damages is complex and usually requires an expert opinion. Specialised attorneys can handle this and will work with you to gather the data the court needs for the calculation. 

In the EU, damages are calculated using three basic methods: (1) lost profits, (2) the profit the competitor made through the infringement (so-called account of profits), (3) a reasonable royalty (the amount the parties would have agreed in a hypothetical licence agreement).

In January 2026, the fees for the main proceedings also changed. For a typical infringement action valued at EUR 2 million, the court fee increased from EUR 24,000 to EUR 31,800 – an increase of 32.5%. These are significant amounts, but still a small fraction of the losses caused by infringement. 

Well-managed proceedings in the EU typically take 2–3 years, which is significantly faster than the old regime, where you would have had to deal with several national proceedings one after another.

UPC Central Division – a role for more complex technologies

In addition to local and regional divisions, the Unified Patent Court also has a central division. The central division is seated in Paris with sections in Munich and Milan, and its purpose is to deal with so-called “technically complex cases” – i.e., disputes that require deeper technical expertise. 

The central division is also the only one that decides certain categories of cases according to the type of patent (for example, all disputes concerning biotechnology patents or patents in certain industrial classes).

Selecting the right division within the UPC is not a trivial matter. If you have a patent in IT or biomedicine and suspect a competitor of infringement, specialised attorneys will help you determine whether the case should be handled by the central division or whether a local division is appropriate. This affects deadlines, the composition of the court, and who will be hearing your case.

Opt-out: A strategic decision

This is where another critical decision comes in. Every patent granted to you by the EPO from 1 June 2023 onwards automatically falls under the jurisdiction of the Unified Patent Court. This means that if a dispute arises, it is handled by the UPC. This is not automatically a bad thing – the UPC offers a centralised solution, uniform law, and a faster procedure.

However, you have the option of an opt-out – i.e., to expressly withdraw from the UPC’s jurisdiction. If you choose this, your patent remains a “classic” European patent handled in the traditional way: in the event of a dispute, you go to national courts (German, French, etc.). 

Opt-out is an administrative procedure free of charge, which you must have processed with the European Patent Office during the so-called transitional period.

This transitional period lasts seven years, i.e., until 31 May 2030 (with the possibility of extension by another seven years). This means you have time to decide. You do not have to do it immediately after the patent is granted.

When is an opt-out worthwhile? Usually when you know that your competitors are concentrated in a particular country (for example, Germany, which has a very strong patent court and experienced judges). 

If you know that the dispute will most likely be heard in Germany, it may be worthwhile to opt out and handle the matter before the German court, which we know and whose case law we are familiar with. But this is a strategy we call a “small patent” – where it is a patent you want to protect only locally.

If, on the other hand, you have a patent that is being infringed in several countries at the same time, or you want to enforce it actively across Europe, opting out is not worthwhile. The UPC will give you a single solution and save you legal costs and time.

Specialised attorneys can help you assess your specific situation and advise what is more advantageous for you.

Most common questions on enforcing a Unitary Patent

1. How does enforcement of a Unitary Patent differ from a traditional European patent? A Unitary Patent is enforced before the UPC as a single central court with effect for all seventeen countries. A classic European patent requires proceedings in each state separately. A Unitary Patent leads to lower costs and a faster outcome, but it also exposes you to centralised risk – if you lose before the UPC, you lose everywhere at once.

2. How long do UPC proceedings take?
On average 2–3 years at the court of first instance. This is significantly faster than the historical route via national courts. Interim measures are handled relatively quickly – within months.

3. Can I opt out of the UPC and litigate the dispute before a national court?
Yes, by using an opt-out. But you must do so during the transitional period (until 31 May 2030). After the transitional period expires, opting out will no longer be worthwhile for new patents. Specialised attorneys can help you assess the decision.

How to defend a patent against validity attacks

However, an infringer or competitor does not only have to “run away from court” – they can also attack the validity of your patent. At the UPC, this means that whenever a competitor is sued for infringement, they can file a counterclaim for revocation. The competitor then says in one set of proceedings: “I may be infringing your patent, but your patent is not valid, so revoke it.”

This is a fairly serious matter. If the court finds grounds for revocation – for example, that your invention is not new or cannot be carried out based on your description – you will lose your patent everywhere. Again, the centralised nature of the UPC means high stakes.

You therefore need to prepare your defence. At the UPC, the EPO also plays a role, and third parties may seek revocation of patents in opposition proceedings. If your patent is “under attack” in an opposition before the EPO, i.e., a competitor or third party is already challenging its validity at the EPO, it is common for the UPC court to stay the proceedings – waiting to see how the EPO decides. The reason: if the EPO revokes your patent, there is no point in the UPC deciding infringement of a non-existent patent.

Specialised attorneys can help you prepare the defence of your patent. This includes, for example:

  • Analysis of the prior art and verification that your invention is truly new.
  • Verification that your patent is internally consistent and that a person skilled in the art can carry it out based on your specification.
  • Preparation of witness statements and expert opinions confirming that your invention was unexpected and inventive.
  • Selecting the strongest wording of your claims – wording that will be difficult to challenge without weakening the scope of protection.
Related questions on defending the validity of a Unitary Patent

1. What are the main grounds for revoking a patent before the UPC?
A patent may be revoked if (1) it is not new – it already existed at the time of filing, (2) it lacks an inventive step – if it is merely an obvious combination of the prior art, (3) it is not described clearly and completely – a person skilled in the art could not carry it out without excessive effort.

2. What happens if the court revokes my patent?
The revocation applies to all seventeen participating states. Your patent ceases to exist as a legal right and you can no longer enforce infringement. Competitors may use it freely.

3. Can I amend or narrow my patent during the proceedings to avoid revocation?
Yes, but only to a limited extent. At the UPC you can file an “application to amend” – a request to amend the patent. The court then considers it and the competitor comments on it. However, the amendment must be based on your original specification – you cannot add entirely new matter or unduly broaden the scope.

Risk table and practical impacts

Possible issues

How ARROWS helps (office@arws.cz)

Complex infringement analysis – without knowledge of technical nuances and patent standards, it is easy to make a mistake

ARROWS attorneys work with technical specialists and carry out an in-depth analysis of whether a competitor is truly infringing your patent under its claims. They will secure expert opinions and prepare materials for the court.

Poorly worded notice to a competitor – you risk a counterclaim for unjustified harassment

ARROWS helps draft a notice that is legally safe, firm, and professional. It will be based on evidence and legal arguments to strengthen your position.

Increased UPC litigation costs from January 2026 – new fees may take you by surprise

ARROWS will familiarise you with the new fee structure, help you budget the costs of proceedings with a realistic forecast, and propose a cost-minimisation strategy (e.g., pursuing interim measures instead of lengthy proceedings).

A competitor files a counterclaim for revocation – your patent is at risk of being revoked

ARROWS will prepare the defence of your patent – gathering evidence of novelty, inventive step, and sufficient disclosure. They will work with you to prepare witness statements and expert opinions.

Uncertainty whether to opt out or stay in the UPC – you risk making the wrong strategic choice

ARROWS will advise you on your specific situation: where the infringement occurs, where your key competitors are, and the advantages of a unitary solution versus a national one. The opt-out decision is strategic, and ARROWS will make it easier for you.
Practical guide for innovation owners: From filing a patent to enforcement

For your innovation to be truly protected, you need to understand the entire process from the very beginning. It is not just about filing a patent and waiting. A patent strategy is prepared in advance.

Phase 1: Preparing for patenting

If you are working on an innovation that can be patented, you should be careful about disclosing it. European patent law is strict on novelty. As a general rule, any public disclosure of your invention before the filing date of the patent application can destroy its novelty and make it impossible to patent. 

There are only very limited exceptions to this rule. It is therefore crucial to file the application before you go public with the innovation.

Experienced attorneys can help you assess what you can and cannot disclose and prepare the filing timeline. Sometimes it is also advantageous to file a so-called utility model or small patent – a short-form instrument with a lower level of protection to secure a filing date – and then file a full patent later.

Phase 2: Deciding between a Unitary Patent and a classic European patent

Once your application reaches the EPO and substantive examination begins, the time for a decision will eventually come. If the EPO grants your patent (which typically takes 3–5 years from filing), you can choose in the application whether to request unitary effect or whether to opt for a classic European patent followed by validation in individual countries.

This is a key decision and should be made consciously. You should know:

  • Where do you sell your products or services? Is it mainly in UPC member states, or do you sell outside the UPC (UK, Switzerland, third countries – a unitary patent will not help you there).
  • Who are your competitors and where do they “attack”? Are they spread across multiple countries (a unitary patent is better for you) or concentrated in one state (perhaps a classic European patent and enforcement before a single national court)?
  • What is your business plan – do you plan to actively enforce the patent, or do you mainly want it for your own protection and licensing?
Phase 3: Monitoring and early detection of infringement

After you have a patent, you should monitor it. This means watching the market, competitors, and new products. Many infringements start with small-scale imports or local production – and if you know about it early, you can act more effectively. Conversely, if infringement spreads to multiple countries and a competitor builds a business model around it, it becomes harder to act later and more expensive to resolve.

Specialised attorneys can run monitoring and alert you when it is time to act. If we are using a patent in the classic European context, we should look at whether a competitor is infringing it in which country. If we are using a unitary patent, monitoring is simpler – you have one patent and you track whether it is being infringed in one or more countries.

New trends and changes in the unitary patent (2025–2026)

From the start of UPC operations in June 2023 to April 2026, the system has undergone a number of developments.

The increase in fees in January 2026 is something you should take into account when calculating the risks and benefits of proceedings.

The development of UPC case law is another important aspect. In the first three years of UPC operation, principles and precedents have been formed for how the law will be applied. For example, the UPC clarified the standard of proof for “more likely than not” when assessing validity in preliminary injunction proceedings. This is important for strategy – if you know what the court expects, you can prepare better.

The growing number of unitary patents shows that the system is taking hold. The number of requests for unitary effect has reached over 86,000 since launch. Approximately 28.7% of all patents granted in the EU in 2025 requested unitary effect, meaning that companies see it as efficient and are moving away from the traditional fragmentation.

The EPO’s and UPC’s focus on SMEs and startups is an opportunity. Support schemes such as the SME Fund 2026 exist and can cover up to 75% of patenting fees and up to EUR 1,500 for legal advice on a European patent. This is an opportunity for smaller companies and startups to afford patent protection and access the UPC system.

Attorneys are closely involved in these developments and can help you access this support and set a strategy that reflects the new environment.

Related questions on the new reality of the unitary patent in the EU

1. Should I request a unitary patent, or a classic European patent with national validations?
In general: a unitary patent is advantageous if you sell or face infringement risks in multiple UPC countries and want a centralised solution. A classic patent is better if you sell in markets outside the UPC (UK, Switzerland, USA) or want to remain in control of national procedures.

2. What if the Czech Republic ratifies the UPCA later – will the situation change?
Yes. If the Czech Republic ratifies the Agreement, it will become a participating state and the unitary patent will automatically cover its territory as well. This would mean that Czech businesses would obtain unitary patent protection on the domestic market without the need for additional validation. For now, if you wish to have protection in the Czech Republic, you must “validate” your European patent in the Czech Republic under national rules.

3. I am a startup and don’t have much money for a patent – can I afford it?
Yes. With the SME Fund 2026, you can cover up to 75% of patenting fees. In addition, you can file a utility model first and later proceed to a full patent. Specialised attorneys can help you access grants and plan your budget.

Defending innovation: Legal strategies beyond patents

The unitary patent is a powerful tool, but it should not be the only tool in your defence. Experienced companies protect themselves in multiple layers:

Trade secrets

Part of your innovation does not have to be patented – it can remain a trade secret. For example, a specific composition, recipe, algorithm, or manufacturing process. Trade secret protection is provided by the EU Trade Secrets Directive (2016/943/EU) and Czech law. A trade secret lasts as long as you protect it; it does not expire like a patent after 20 years.

Advantage: a competitor cannot easily “buy” it or “rewrite” it. Disadvantage: if a competitor discovers it through its own development or with reasonable effort, it is not protected – they can use it without liability.

Specialised attorneys can help you decide what to patent and what to protect as a secret.

Contracts and NDAs (nondisclosure agreements)

If you negotiate with your suppliers, partners, or investors, you should bind them to keep your innovation confidential. This is done through confidentiality agreements – NDAs. These are legally enforceable documents. A breach of an NDA entitles you to claim damages.

Design and branding

Some aspects of your innovation can be protected as industrial designs – the visual appearance of a product. This also gives you legal protection that you can enforce.

Final summary

The European unitary patent and the Unified Patent Court represent a fundamental shift in the protection of innovation in Europe. You are no longer dependent on a chaotic approach to infringement across national courts in each country – you have a single legal framework, a single court, and a single solution. This means lower costs, greater legal certainty, and faster dispute resolution.

However, the reality is more complex than it may seem. The decision whether to request a unitary patent or remain in the traditional regime must be carefully considered and should be based on your specific situation – where you sell, who competes with you, and what your objectives are. 

Enforcement – from notifying a competitor through to court proceedings – requires legal expertise and strategic insight. The new fees from January 2026 mean higher costs that need to be factored in. And defending your patent against attempts to revoke it requires care and preparation.

If you decide that you want to protect your innovations effectively—without risk, without mistakes, and without unnecessary costs—specialized attorneys can help you. They understand EU patent law, they understand the UPC, its procedures, and the latest decisions. They will help you choose the right strategy, prepare you for the proceedings, communicate with you throughout, and represent you in court. 

Contact them at office@arws.cz to arrange a consultation where you will clarify how best to protect your innovation.

Most frequently asked questions about the Unitary Patent in practice

1. How long does it take for a Unitary Patent to become legally effective?
From filing an application with the EPO, it typically takes 3–5 years for the EPO to grant your patent. You then have 3 months to request “unitary effect”. Once the EPO processes the request (usually within a few weeks), your patent becomes unitary and covers seventeen EU countries.

2. Can I license my patent—lease it to a competitor?
Absolutely. Licensing is common. You can agree a licence agreement under which the competitor pays you royalties (a percentage of its sales using your patent) and obtains the right to use your patent. Specialized attorneys will help you draft the agreement so that it is fair and legally robust. Contact office@arws.cz.

3. What happens if someone infringes my Unitary Patent in a country that is not in the UPC (e.g., the UK or Switzerland)? The Unitary Patent is not valid in those countries. You will have to address the infringement under their national law or international treaties. The UK has its own patent system; Switzerland has its own. You would have to file a lawsuit in those countries separately. This is another reason why companies that sell globally also file a US patent (via the USPTO), a UK patent, and a Swiss patent alongside the EU Unitary Patent.

4. Can I ever “lose” a Unitary Patent—for example, due to non-payment of a fee?
Yes. If you do not pay the annual maintenance fee (the so-called renewal fee), your patent lapses. The Unitary Patent has a single central fee payable to the EPO, but you must pay it every year. Forgetting maintenance is common and often fatal. Specialized attorneys can help you set up a reminder system so this does not happen to you. Contact office@arws.cz.

5. How does the procedure before the UPC differ from proceedings before national courts—is it more complex? The UPC has its own Rules of Procedure (RoP), which are uniform. On the other hand, these are new rules (in force since 2023) and not all lawyers know them. You need specialists. In general, proceedings before the UPC are more standardized and more predictable than proceedings scattered across different national courts. However, it must also be taken into account that the case law is still developing—judges are still becoming familiar with unitary patent law. Specialized attorneys are well versed in UPC procedures and can guide you through them. Get in touch at office@arws.cz.

6. What hidden costs of enforcing rights before the UPC should I be aware of?
In addition to court fees (which increased in January 2026), you must also take into account:

  • Legal services : attorney fees. These vary, but for UPC proceedings you should expect tens of thousands of euros.
  • Expert opinions : if the patent is technically complex, you will need an expert to prepare an opinion. This costs thousands of euros.
  • Reimbursement of the other party’s costs : in some cases, the court may order you to pay the opponent’s expenses (if you lose). This can be partially minimized, but you should keep it in mind.
  • Time and resources : your team will have to devote time to the proceedings—this is lost working time.

Specialized attorneys will help you budget and prepare for realistic costs. Contact office@arws.cz.

Notice: The information contained in this article is of a general informational nature only and is intended for basic guidance on the topic based on the legal situation as of 2026. Although we take maximum care to ensure accuracy, legal regulations and their interpretation evolve over time. We are ARROWS advokátní kancelář, an entity registered with the Czech Bar Association (our supervisory authority), and for maximum client protection we maintain professional liability insurance with a limit of CZK 400,000,000. To verify the current wording of regulations and their application to your specific situation, it is necessary to contact ARROWS advokátní kancelář directly (office@arws.cz). We accept no liability for any damages arising from the independent use of information from this article without prior individual legal consultation.

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