Business and Property Courts “actively looking” to hear cases outside London

May 12, 2022

Exchange Chambers has welcomed a speech by Mrs Justice Cockerill supporting the ongoing development of the Business and Property Courts.

In an address to Liverpool University Law school celebrating the contribution of Liverpool to commercial litigation, Mrs Justice Cockerill said that the Business and Property Courts are “actively looking” for cases that can be heard outside of London.

“In the future we want to see cases tried where they can best be heard for the parties and for that dispute,” said Mrs Justice Cockerill

“We also have the broader church of the other Business and Property Courts (BPCs)… The BPCs are still a relatively recent innovation, but they have huge advantages for litigation outside London.

“We are very keen that users know that the local courts are fully supported by the High Court bench. I must make it very clear that we are positively keen to come and sit in suitable disputes locally.”

Cockerill J added: “We are actively looking for Circuit Commercial cases which we can hear; I heard one in Newcastle, we have others on our list for hearing within the next year.

“Next week I am off to Birmingham to hear a three-week Commercial Court trial where the business in question is local and most of the witnesses are based in the area.

“In the future we want to see cases tried where they can best be heard for the parties and for that dispute.”

Giles Maynard-Connor KC, Head of Exchange Chambers’ Business and Property department said:

“While acting in national and international cases, our presence in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester is a unique feature of Chambers and closely aligns us to the Business and Property Courts across the Northern and North Eastern Circuits.

“The regional Bar is stronger than it’s ever been.  The very best barristers are now looking beyond London. With the continued development of the Business and Property Courts no case is too big for the regions.”

Recognised as a centre of excellence, Exchange Chambers’ Business and Property Department covers all areas of commercial law including Banking & Finance, Commercial Fraud, Commercial Contracts Litigation, Company (including shareholder disputes) & Partnership, Competition, Procurement & State Aid, Construction, Corporate & Commercial Transaction Support, Costs Litigation, Credit Hire, Group Litigation, Insurance & Reinsurance, Professional Negligence, Property & Planning, Restructuring & Insolvency, Tax, Trusts and Wills & Probate.

Over the last 12 months, the continued progress of the department has been recognised through a number of rankings, awards and appointments.

Exchange secured a record number of commercial rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers UK, while the Set’s commercial expertise was a driving factor in it being named as Regional Set of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards.

The number of Queen’s Counsel in the department continues to rise, with Giles Maynard-Connor QC and Lisa Linklater KC appointed to silk over the past 2 years.

Former members of Exchange have also been recently appointed to prominent judicial positions within the Business and Property Courts. His Honour Judge (Mark) Cawson QC is a Specialist Civil Circuit Judge at the Business and Property Courts in Manchester while His Honour Judge (Neil) Cadwallader became the first resident Chancery Judge at the Business and Property Courts in Liverpool following his appointment as a Specialist Civil Circuit Judge.

Expanding on the plan to further develop its Business and Property department, Giles added:

“We are actively seeking to grow our Business and Property department by recruiting outstanding barristers across all commercial disciplines and locations.

“At the same time, we are focused on supporting our members, at all levels of call, in achieving their professional goals.”