The judiciary, supported by the government, is pleased to announce the modernisation of the structure of the High Court, through the establishment of a new Business and Property Division.
Currently, the Business and Property Courts are spread across both the King’s Bench and Chancery Divisions. Under this reform, all Business and Property Courts will become part of the new Business and Property Division.
The Business and Property Courts are a collection of specialist civil courts which deal with high-value, complex and often international disputes, including commercial, business, property, technology, construction and intellectual property cases. These courts play a significant role in supporting the UK’s legal services sector and wider economy, with a substantial proportion of cases involving international parties.
The new Business and Property Division will replace the Chancery Division and stand alongside the King’s Bench and Family Divisions of the High Court. The individual courts and lists that make-up the new division will continue their work as they do now, keeping their existing jurisdictions, identities and areas of expertise.
The reforms are intended to:
Make it easier for court users to understand where to bring their cases, improving clarity and access to justice. Strengthen the international reputation of the Business and Property Courts by including them within a single, coherent divisional structure. Simplify governance arrangements for business and property work within the High Court. Support flexible judicial deployment, ensuring that judges can be assigned where they are most needed. What the changes mean in practiceThe new division will be led by a Head of Division – the President of the Business and Property Division – with the Chancellor of the High Court assuming this role.
These changes will not affect the wider structure or work of the King’s Bench Division, or the existing courts and lists of the High Court.
Subject to the making of an Order in Council, the intention is that the new Division will be established early in the next legal year.
The Rt Hon the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-HillLady Chief Justice of England and Wales
The Rt Hon David Lammy MPDeputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The post The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor modernise the High Court through establishment of the Business and Property Division appeared first on Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.
seen at 12:06, 2 June in Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.