2.10.9.1 Supervision, Case Management and Hearings of Divisional Applications

First reports issued on divisional applications with great grandparent or earlier ancestors are to be treated as equivalent to adverse third reports, and are therefore to be reviewed by a supervising examiner.  If the supervising examiner is of the opinion that no progress is being made, the case should be discussed with the Supervising Examiner (Patent Oppositions), including whether to set the matter for hearing or case manage the application to ensure a prompt resolution of its status. In certain situations, it may be appropriate to also consider case management or setting matters for hearing where no progress is made in grandparent and parent applications.