Commercial court idea given impetus by Irvine study

London could house a new Commercial Court for top-end international litigation, depending on the outcome of a study commissioned by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine.

The Lord Chancellor's Department suggested the new court could 'develop Britain's role as a global centre for dispute resolution'.

Law Society civil litigation chair Fraser Whitehead welcome the idea saying: 'It is critical to maintain the position of the UK as a centre of legal excellence.'

The study will look at fusing work currently done by the Commercial Court, the Admiralty Court, the Technology and Construction Court, the Patents Court and the Company Court.Consultants Cap Gemini Ernst & Young will get 400,000 to deliver the report on 26 January next year.

Anne Mizzi