New Business and Property Division to Modernise City Courts

The Business and Property Courts (BPCs), a structure established in 2017, are to be replaced by a new Business and Property Division (BPD). The change, announced by Sir Colin Birss, Chancellor of the High Court, aims to modernise the court system, improve access to justice, and enhance the United Kingdom's international competitiveness. The announcement was made on 8 September 2026 at an address to the Chancery Bar Association held at the London School of Economics.

Consolidating Specialist Courts

The new Division will bring together specialist courts that were previously managed under different administrative structures. This includes courts such as the Commercial Court, Admiralty Court, and the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), which were historically part of the King's Bench Division, alongside the Chancery Division. The Rolls Building in the City of London, described as the largest commercial and business court centre in the world, serves as a significant hub for these courts.

The move follows a logical progression from the establishment of the Rolls Building in 2011, which initially housed the Commercial Court, Admiralty Court, TCC, and the Chancery Division. The creation of the Financial List in 2015, a joint venture between the Commercial Court and Chancery Division, further reflected the interconnectedness of these specialist areas. The BPC umbrella structure introduced in 2017 aimed to unify these courts, but administrative complexities persisted.

Simplifying for Users

Sir Colin Birss explained that the previous split administrative structure created unnecessary complexity for court users, including businesses, legal practitioners, and international litigants. It was sometimes difficult to ascertain which Division was responsible for particular disputes. The creation of a single, coherent Division is intended to make it clearer for users to identify the appropriate forum for their claims.

The leadership arrangements have also been clarified. While the Chancellor of the High Court previously held undefined day-to-day responsibility for all BPCs, the new structure designates a President of the Business and Property Division as the head of the new Division. Judges will be designated as judges of the Business and Property Division.

Retaining Established Names

Despite the overarching change in Division name, existing court and list names will be retained within the rules. For example, the Insolvency and Companies list and its associated judges will keep their current designations. Similarly, the Patents Court and the Commercial Court will continue to be known by their established names. The term 'Business and Property Courts' may continue to be used naturally, particularly in centres outside London.

The changes are being implemented through an Order in Council, exercising powers under Section 7 of the Senior Courts Act 1981. This legal instrument formally changes the name of the existing Chancery Division to the Business and Property Division and adjusts the title of its head.