Business and Property Courts of England and Wales are launched

The Lord Chancellor, The Rt Hon David Lidington MP, has addressed an audience at the Rolls Building in London to launch the Business and Property Courts system and thanked Geoffrey Vos, Brian Leveson and Lord Thomas, the Lord Chief Justice, who have driven this initiative forward.

“Today’s launch demonstrates beyond any doubt that our bench is responsive, forward-thinking and clear in their purpose,” The Lord Chancellor said. “Not least in recognising that while our historic courts continue to flourish, the somewhat arcane names of some ... are perhaps still beloved of many lawyers but rather less well understood by the 21st century business community outside the City of London. And, perhaps dare I say it, by those many people who have not been steeped in the law for decades. And at a stroke, this is now remedied.”

The Lord Chancellor said that the new umbrella name – the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales – “does what it says on the tin”. He added: “It’s a user-friendly choice, it’s easy to understand no matter what part of the world someone comes from. And it brings a welcome clarity to the focus and range of legal services that the UK offers at the highest level.”

He explained that a more integrated system of business and property courts will mean judges can be cross-deployed to maximise the benefit of their particular qualifications to the benefit of both overseas claimants, and individuals and businesses in this country, who seek legal redress.

The new system seeks to fix the problem of too many cases migrating unnecessarily from the regions to the Rolls Building in London, leading to extra inconvenience, delays and expense. “Having business and property courts across England and Wales that are served by a critical mass of specialist judges will mean that all classes of case should be capable of being managed and tried away from the capital,” he said. “I’m confident that these changes will ensure that our courts and judiciary continue to lead the world in this field.”