Article 41

1. The rapporteur shall carry out a preliminary study of the appeal assigned to the rapporteur, prepare the case for examination and deliberation by the Board of Appeal, and draft the decision to be taken by the Board of Appeal.

2. To that effect, the rapporteur shall, where necessary and subject to the direction of the chairperson of the Board of Appeal, have the following duties:

(a) invite the parties to file observations in accordance with Article 70(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001;

(b) decide on requests for the extension of time limits and, as the case may be, set time limits within the meaning of Article 24(1), Article 25(5) and Article 26 of this Regulation, and on suspensions pursuant to Article 71;

(c) prepare communications in accordance with Article 28 and the oral hearing;

(d) sign the minutes of oral proceedings and of the taking of evidence.