The Legal Service of the CPVO deals with all the legal aspects related to the plant variety rights protection system and the functioning of the CPVO. The trainee will participate in the work of the Legal Service of the Office. Her/his main tasks will include, among others:

• providing assistance in conducting legal searches and drafting legal advice to other Units of the Office,
• attending Office committees’ meetings,
• support in drafting decisions in legal proceedings including objections, nullities and cancellations,
• support in Board of Appeal and Court of Justice proceedings,
• providing support in the preparation of seminars and presentations on plant variety and Intellectual Property related issues.

After an initial period of introduction, necessary to get familiar with the processes and the IT tools of the Office, the trainee will be requested to provide substantial contributions to the team. 

• Candidates must have a degree in law and a post-graduate Master degree in Intellectual Property Law, obtained at the latest in September 2025. Knowledge of the Agrifood sector would be an asset;
• Candidates have to be at ease in a multicultural environment where the main working language is English;
• Candidates must have excellent IT skills necessary to perform successfully;
• They must have excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral, and good communication skills in any of the following languages: German, Dutch, Spanish or French.
• They must be able to work autonomously and pay attention to details.
• Previous work experience in the domain of intellectual property law, both in specialised IP Law Firms or other IP Institutions/Agencies would be an asset.