A royal opening for the Rolls Building
The largest specialist centre for the resolution of financial, business and property disputes anywhere in the world was opened today.
Located off Fetter Lane in the City of London, the Rolls Building brings under one roof the expertise of the Chancery Division of the High Court, the Admiralty and Commercial Court and the Technology and Construction Court.
The state of the art court complex covers more than 16,000 square metres, houses 31 courtrooms, 11 hearing rooms and 55 consultation rooms. It is equipped with the latest IT facilities and three ‘super courts’ able to handle the most complex and multi-party trials.
The UK has long been considered as a centre for legal excellence and the launch of the new, world class court facilities will help make it the destination of choice for global businesses in the 21st century, leading to sustainable, long term growth.
More international and commercial arbitrations take place in London under English law than in any other city in the world. Ninety per cent of commercial cases handled by London law firms now involve an international party.
Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said:
‘The world’s business leaders come to the UK to settle their disputes so that they can move forward, trade can grow, and people can prosper.
‘UK courts provide an internationally recognised guarantee of impartiality, integrity and enforceability. London’s concentration of legal and financial expertise is unrivalled anywhere.
‘The brand new Rolls Building in London means the UK has even more to offer: The world’s most modern and hi-tech courts complex built specifically to resolve financial, business and property disputes.’
The judicial expertise available in the Rolls Building includes asset recovery, banking, commodities, company law, construction, finance, fraud, insolvency and reconstruction. It also covers information technology, insurance, intellectual property (including patents), international trade, mining, oil and gas, partnership, property, public procurement, regulation, shipping, tax and trusts.
Michael Todd QC, Chairman-Elect of the Bar Council, said:
‘The Rolls Building is a testament to the commitment and support of this Government and the legal services sector to the continuing role of the UK as the global resolution dispute centre of choice. Its opening is a very welcome development for the legal profession. It provides a world-leading courts complex which emphasises the strength and quality of our judiciary and legal services sector. Alongside Unlocking Disputes, the sector-led campaign to promote London as the world’s leading dispute resolution centre, the Rolls Building is an investment in our future of which we can all be proud.’
The building has achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating under the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and has features such as a central combined heating, cooling and power plant which reduces carbon emissions associated with the building’s energy usage by 17 per cent.
Notes for Editors:
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Her Majesty The Queen unveiled a plaque at a ceremony, attended by Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Kenneth Clarke, the Lord Chief Justice, the Rt Hon The Lord Judge, and the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman David Wootton.
- For pictures of the event and to view a virtual tour of the Rolls Building visit: www.justice.gov.uk
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Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service is responsible for the administration of the criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales and non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland. For more information visit: http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/hmcts/index.htm
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The Rolls Building was developed by funds advised by Delancey and Scottish Widows (formerly Invista REIM) in a 50:50 joint venture. The building was designed by Woods Bagot and built by Carillion Construction.
- The Rolls Building opened for business in October 2011. For more information, call the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 0203 334 3536.