The Rolls-Royce of courts?

The world’s largest court centre for financial, business and property disputes officially opened for business on London’s Fetter Lane last week.

The Rolls Building is home to the commercial court, the chancery division, patent court, and the technology and construction court. It covers more than 16,000 square metres,and houses 31 courtrooms, 11 hearing rooms and 55 consultation rooms.

It is decked out with state-of-the-art IT equipment and has three “supercourts” for complex, multi-party trials.

London has developed a global reputation in the field of dispute resolution—more international and commercial arbitrations take place in the capital under English law than in any other city in the world, and 90% of commercial cases handled by London law firms involve an international party.

Last month, the Ministry of Justice and legal professional groups including the Law Society and the Bar Council, launched the “Unlocking Disputes” campaign, to promote London as the world’s leading dispute resolution centre, in which the Rolls Building will play a key part.

Michael Todd QC, incoming chairman of the Bar, says: “It provides a world-leading court complex which emphasises the strength and quality of our judiciary and legal services providers.”

However, James Wilson, managing editor, legal journals and magazines, LexisNexis, says the “cramped size” and layout of the courtrooms makes it difficult for law reporters and the press to gain access during hearings.

“It is true that the first instance specialist courts attract less press and public interest, but this is not always the case, as indeed the Berezovsky v Abramovich litigation currently proceeding in the commercial court illustrates,” he says.

“More to the point, many cases of legal significance are heard in the first instance courts, and practitioners are anxious to know about new points of law and procedure as soon as possible.”