The time limit for appealing against the decision to close the case is one month. It runs from the day on which notification was made to the author of the complaint or referral. Reasons must be given for the appeal. It shall be addressed to the secretariat of the Disciplinary Board.
The appeal body is made up of three industrial property attorneys appointed by the president of the Compagnie nationale des conseils en propriété industrielle from among the former presidents, vice-presidents, secretaries and members of the Disciplinary Board. Three alternates are appointed under the same conditions. The Appeal Body is chaired by one of its members, appointed by the President of the National Company. The members of the Appeals Body are appointed for a term of four years, renewable once.
When the person lodging the complaint remains in office, the Appeals Body is appointed by the President of the Compagnie Nationale.
Where the person lodging the complaint lives outside mainland France, the time limit for lodging an appeal provided for in the first paragraph shall be increased by the additional time limit set by Article 643 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
The appeal body reverses or confirms the decision to close the case. It shall notify its decision to the parties and to the secretariat of the Disciplinary Board.
If the appeal body reverses the decision to close the case, the secretariat informs the rapporteur so that he can investigate the case. The secretariat of the Disciplinary Board will send a copy for information to the chairman of the Disciplinary Board and to the parties.