Business and Property Division of High Court now active
The High Court has launched a new streamlined Business and Property Division, as part of the phasing out of the Chancery Division.
The Business and Property Division was launched on 1 October, giving the High Court a space for business and property litigation involving high-value and complex disputes.
Created by an Order in Council, the BPD consolidates work previously done by the Chancery and King’s Bench divisions into a sole unit. The High Court is now comprised of the BPD alongside the King’s Bench and Family Divisions. It will be led by a President, who replaces the role of the Chancellor of the High Court. Sir Colin Birss has held the role of Chancellor and is now temporary President of the BPD. However, he will only sit as President for one month as he will become Master of the Rolls on 1 November.
The hope is that the new division will improve access to justice, efficiency, and the UK’s international competitiveness for disputes.