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08 May 2019
Issue: 7839 / Categories: Legal News , Procedure & practice , Brexit , Commercial
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Litigants prefer London

London’s commercial courts have enjoyed a record year despite the approach of Brexit, with 1,012 litigants from 28 countries. 

US, Russian, Kazakh and Ukrainian litigants were prominent across all 258 cases in 2018/19, according to the Commercial Courts Report, published by Portland Disputes specialist litigation consultants. The number of cases rose 63% on the previous year, and the number of litigants increased by 54%.

The figures are good news for London lawyers, who have expressed concern about other jurisdictions stealing London’s crown post-Brexit. They show that London remains the forum of choice, despite competition from courts such as Singapore International Commercial Court.

Philip Hall, head of Portland’s disputes practice, said: ‘The coming years will be interesting as courts in London and around the world adapt their offers to the changing demands of international businesses in dispute.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Harper James—Lottie Hugo

Harper James—Lottie Hugo

Commercial law firm announces appointment of corporate partner

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Partner joins corporate and finance practice in British Virgin Islands

Dawson Cornwell—Naomi Angell

Dawson Cornwell—Naomi Angell

Firm strengthens children department with adoption and surrogacy expert

NEWS
Serial sperm donor Robert Albon has lost his bid for a declaration of paternity, ‘on the ground that to grant it would manifestly be contrary to public policy’
The government is considering wholesale reform of consumer class actions—the ‘opt-out’ collective claims certified by the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT)
A ‘sophisticated suspected fraud’ may have taken place at PM Law involving the improper removal and misuse of about £39.5m of client funds, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) will invest in technology to catch tech-reliant fraudsters and handle voluminous case materials
Law firms enjoyed rapid, sector-wide growth in 2025, according to the Law Society’s latest annual Financial Benchmarking Survey
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