Lawyers give a mixed reaction to a £300m court for fraud, cybercrime and economic crime cases that is to be built in London.
The flagship 18-courtroom legal centre will also deal with business and property work as well as civil cases, boosting lawyers’ hopes that the Capital will retain its status as a legal hub post-Brexit. It will replace the Mayor’s and City of London County Court, and City of London Magistrates’ Court, and will include a new City of London police station.
The new court will be built on the site of Fleetbank House, behind Fleet Street, currently home to the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT). The existing building will be torn down and the EAT will relocate to the Rolls Building on Fetter Lane.
Lord Chancellor David Gauke said: ‘This state-of-the-art court is a further message to the world that Britain both prizes business and stands ready to deal with the changing nature of 21st century crime.’
The Ministry of Justice expects the court to be finished by 2025.
Peter Binning, partner at Corker Binning, said: ‘It is the first announcement of serious investment in the fabric of the criminal justice system for decades.
‘It suggests that the City of London Corporation at least is keen to send a message to the City that commercial crime and in particular cybercrime will be dealt with seriously in the future.’
However, he added: ‘It says far less about the government’s true commitment in this area and begs serious questions as to how this new court will be used if inadequate resources are devoted to the investigation and prosecution of serious and complex fraud.’
Law Society president Joe Egan said: ‘A new state-of-the-art court to increase the country’s capacity to tackle cybercrime and fraud will undoubtedly reassure business and help maintain England and Wales as the global centre for legal services post-Brexit.
‘Fees charged by this and London’s pre-eminent international dispute resolution courts will, however, need to become more competitive if our jurisdiction is to continue to attract commercial parties from across the globe. With an annual net worth of £26bn—1.5% of GDP—and exports of £4bn, UK legal services make a huge contribution to UK plc in a highly competitive global market.’
