Chief Examiner

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys - Patent Examination Board

Location: London, Hybrid

Salary: See advert

Hours: Part Time

Contract Type: Temporary

Placed On: 14th April 2026

Closes: 8th May 2026

The patent attorney profession is regulated in the UK by the Intellectual Property Regulator (IPReg). The main entry route to the profession is by the Foundation Certificate and Final Diploma examinations of the Patent Examination Board (PEB). There are two levels of examinations: Foundation Certificate and Final Diploma.

The PEB has a vacancy for a Chief Examiner – Foundation Certificate and Final Diploma

The PEB is overseen by a Governance Board (the PEB GB), with patent attorney and lay membership. Also, the PEB has Examination Committees and examiner meetings for each Certificate and Diploma paper. Each paper is managed by a Principal Examiner. Principal Examiners for the Final Diploma examinations lead a team of marking examiners.

The Chief Examiner is responsible for:

• chairing Question Paper Editing Committees, Standardisation Meetings, Awarding Meetings and the Examination Committees;
• ensuring that question papers and mark schemes have been written and quality assured in accordance with PEB procedures and published syllabi;
• supervising and appraising Principal Examiners;
• presenting a report to the PEB GB following each examination session.

Most of the work is carried out in one’s own time. Normally, meeting attendance is via Zoom. The exact times of these meetings are arranged by doodle poll to suit attendees.

Skills and experience required for the role of Chief Examiner

Essential

• Experience of professional assessment and examinations
• Understanding of intellectual property law
• Experience of working in a regulated profession(s)
• Experience of leading a team of professionals
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Good written, presentation and oral skills

Desirable

• Current or previous membership of and/or registration with a regulated profession, for example legal, healthcare, scientific, education or business services professions
• Understanding of current intellectual property education and training

Remuneration (2026 rates)

Supervision fees

• Final Diploma £2,066
• Foundation Certificate £1,033
• Principal Examiner supervision £75 per examiner
• Meeting attendance £270 per day (pro rata where half day).

Term of appointment: Three years in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal for a further three years

How to apply

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and a short letter that explains how you meet the role requirements.

Please submit your application via the 'Apply' button above (e: peb@cipa.org.uk) by 5pm on Friday 8 May 2026. Please also use this address if you would like to arrange an initial discussion about the role or to ask for further information.

Thank you for your interest in this role.