New Business and Property Division

Leeds Courthouse: Home of the Business and Property Courts in Leeds
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Jane Lambert

Just under 9 years ago, I announced the launch of the Business and Property Courts in Launch of a Judicial Superhighway? in NIPC Northwest and The Leeds Business and Property Courts in NIPC Yorkshire. The work of the courts in the Queen's Bench and Chancery Divisions, which resolved business disputes was coordinated, but they remained part of the Divisions of the High Court that had been established by The Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873.

Yesterday, the Lady Chief Justice of England announced the establishment of a new Business and Property Division to replace the Chancery Division early in the next legal year in The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor modernise the High Court through establishment of the Business and Property Division and a YouTube video entitled Lady Chief Justice- Business and Property Division 2 June 2026.  The King's Bench and Family Divisions will remain as they are.

According to the Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor, the intended benefits are 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."
The Chancellor of the High Court will be known as the President of the Business and Property Court.  The present incumbent is Sir Colin Birss, who practised at the IP bar and now heads the list of nominated judges of the Patents Court.  I discussed his judgment in Shorts International Ltd v Google LLC [2026] EWCA Civ 668 (25 May 2026) in Trade Marks - Shorts International v Google NIPC Law on 31 May 2026.

Anyone wishing to discuss this article may call me on 020 7404 5252 during UK business hours or send me a message through my contact form. 

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