On October 20, 2015, Judge Gregor Stevens from the Berlin District Court visited the IP High Court. Judge Stevens came to Japan to participate in the German-Japanese Lawyers Exchange Program.

After an active exchange of opinions with Chief Judge Ryuichi Shitara of the IP High Court regarding the practices of civil proceedings in Japan and Germany, Judge Stevens observed proceedings for suits against appeal/trial decision made by the JPO. Judge Stevens also actively exchanged opinions with the judges of the Second Division of the IP High Court not only on the IP litigation but also on differences between the general judicial systems in Japan and Germany. Judge Stevens, in particular, showed great interest in the judicial research official system and the method of court proceedings for IP litigations.