All Business and Property Courts are set to become part of a new Business and Property Division of the judiciary. The changes – which will include the Property, Trusts and Probate list – are intended to consolidate the current structure, which sees Business and Property Courts spread across both the King’s Bench and Chancery Divisions.
The specialist civil Business and Property Courts deal with high-value, complex and often international disputes, including commercial, business, property, technology, construction and intellectual property cases. The 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.
In the new modernised structure, the newly established Business and Property Division will replace the Chancery Division and stand alongside the King’s Bench and Family Divisions of the High Court. The Business and Property Division will operate from London’s Rolls Building and in courts in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.
Lists that make-up the new division – including Property, Trusts and Probate – will continue their work as they do now, keeping their existing jurisdictions, identities and areas of expertise.
The reforms aim to create greater clarity for court users on where to bring their case, simplify the governance of business and property work, and strengthen the international reputation of the Business and Property Courts by including them within a single, coherent divisional structure.
The changes will be confirmed by the making of an Order in Council and come into effect early in the next legal year. Chancellor of the High Court Sir Colin Birss will assume the title of President of the Business and Property Division.
