International trade – disputes end up in London
Is it because London is one of the top financial centers, is it the English language, is it a reflection of the global economy which now intertwines us all or is it that the English legal system is genuinely seen as the best in the world ? Whichever, or a combination of these factors, it seems that London is at the centre of litigation matters with an international element.
Government figures suggest that 9 out of 10 commercial cases involving London based law firms now have an international aspect.
The Ministry of Justice said a new high court building in London is the biggest dispute resolution centre in the world which deals with commercial disputes. It seems that much of this litigation emanates from arbitration clauses in big commercial contracts, and that such clauses commonly nominate the English legal system for arbitrating high value and/or complex disputes, often involving shipping or insurance issues, which ties in with the pre-eminent position of London as a financial and insurance hub.
