The government plans the new Commercial Court to be a 'civic statement courthouse' that will shore up London's pre-eminent position for hearing international disputes, but the building - to be funded by a public private partnership (PPP) - will not be ready for three years.

According to Mr Justice Aikens, head of the commercial list, the court should move in 2009. Building is due to begin next March. He told the Gazette that the government should decide on the developer and building by the end of the summer.


The plans will please City litigators, who warn that the court's poor facilities could see London lose out to the likes of New York. Mr Justice Aikens said 'we don't want to take the risk' of this happening.


The 30-courtroom building will house the Commercial and Admiralty Courts, and also the Chancery Division, which will leave the Royal Courts of Justice. The Technology and Construction Court may also go.


Funding will be through a PPP, in which the government will pay rent on a lease over an initial fixed term, rather than buying the building. Mr Justice Aikens said it is 'absolutely critical' that the new courthouse is 'off the government's balance sheet'.


Part of the developer's costs will be paid by other tenants, most likely those in some way 'concerned with dispute resolution,' he said.