Trade Mark Examiner or Designs Examiner – Newport

Intellectual Property Office; Newport; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service pension

Flexible working scheme

25 days annual leave

8 public holidays

1 day privilege leave

Staff Counselling Service

Job summary

The Intellectual Property Office in Newport is seeking a Trade Mark Examiner or Designs Examiner to assess applications under UK IP law. The role includes writing examination reports, guiding customers through processes, handling objections, and continuously learning to improve services.

The position offers hybrid working with a 12‑week full‑time training period in Newport, requiring in‑person attendance, and a starting salary of £29,952 with a Civil Service pension scheme.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical, research, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Customer‑focused, adaptable, and open to feedback.
• Good digital literacy.
• Have a positive and focussed attitude to achieving outcomes.

Responsibilities

• As a Trade Mark or Designs Examiner, you’ll assess applications under UK IP legislation, ensuring compliance with legal standards.
• Writing clear examination reports and guiding customers through the process.
• Handling objections and evaluating supporting evidence.
• Managing your workload and making informed decisions.
• Continuous learning and contributing to service improvements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research

Decision-making

Written communication

Verbal communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Customer focus

Adaptability

Digital literacy

Outcome focus

Job description

Trade Mark Examiner or Designs Examiner – Newport

About the job

Job summary

Trade Mark Examiner or Designs Examiner

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the UK government body for Intellectual Property rights, including patents, designs, trade marks, and copyright. Our mission is to support economic growth by providing an IP system that fosters creativity and innovation.

Trade Mark and Designs Examiner roles are central to our Services Directorate. You’ll receive comprehensive in‑house training on the legal framework for registered IP rights.

The IPO offers excellent development opportunities and holds the Gold standard: Investors in People award.

Working Style

This role will be carried out in‑line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in our Newport Office . This is a requirement and is not negotiable.

Hybrid working will only apply after the training period at our Newport office. The 12 week training period requires the successful candidates to attend the Newport office in person 5 days a week.

The IPO holds a visa sponsor licence however; this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Candidates will therefore need to have an existing right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Job description

Main duties consist of but are not limited to:

As a Trade Mark or Designs Examiner, you’ll assess applications under UK IP legislation, ensuring compliance with legal standards. Key responsibilities include:

• Applying legislation and case law to determine registrability
• Writing clear examination reports and guiding customers through the process
• Handling objections and evaluating supporting evidence
• Managing your workload and making informed decisions
• Continuous learning and contributing to service improvements

Additional information:

Due to the intensive nature of the initial twelve‑week training period (25/01/2027 to 23/04/2027 subject to change), annual leave will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Employees are expected to attend all training sessions wherever possible.

Part‑time working is not available during the 12‑week training period. All successful candidates will be required to work full‑time for the duration of the training. If you would prefer a part‑time working arrangement, this can be considered following successful completion of the training period.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Strong analytical, research, and decision‑making skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Customer‑focused, adaptable, and open to feedback
• Good digital literacy
• Have a positive and focussed attitude to achieving outcomes

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,952, Intellectual Property Office contributes £8,677 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A flexible working scheme with excellent development opportunities
• 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments (1 day per year) over 5 years of reckonable service. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave
• Family friendly policies that support modern working families and individuals with caring responsibilities
• A variety of support functions; Staff Counselling Service, Peer to Peer Support Group
• Eligibility for special and office‑wide bonus payments
• The opportunity to form part of our many inclusive network