Using London as a dispute resolution centre

Using London as a dispute resolution centre

London is one of the world’s leading centres for dispute resolution. It offers a range of dispute resolution mechanisms through the Courts, arbitration and mediation. Combar’s members have extensive expertise in advising on London’s various dispute resolution mechanisms.

The Commercial Court

The Commercial Court is one of a number of specialist jurisdictions of the High Court of England and Wales. The business of the Commercial Court is broad. It extends to any claim relating to the transaction of trade and commerce (including commercial agreements, import and export, carriage of goods by sea, land and air, banking and financial services, insurance and reinsurance, markets and exchanges, commodities, oil, gas and natural resources, the construction of ships, agency, arbitration and competition matters).

The work of the Commercial Court has long been international in nature. In 2024, international cases accounted for around 72% of the Court’s business (source: The Commercial Court Report 2023-4). Many parties choose to include an English jurisdiction clause and/or English governing law clause in their contracts, reflecting their belief in the sophistication, fairness and certainty of English law and procedure. In 2024, international exports generated by barristers contributed £580 million to the UK economy.

Since 2011, the home of the Commercial Court has been the Rolls Building on Fetter Lane, which houses the Business and Property Courts (Commercial Court (KBD), Technology and Construction Court (KBD) and the Chancery Division). The Rolls Building is the largest specialist centre for the resolution of financial, business and property litigation anywhere in the world. The Rolls Building offers 31 courtrooms (including 3 very large “super courts”), 11 hearing rooms, 55 consultation rooms and state of the art IT infrastructure.

Arbitration

London is a leading centre of international arbitration. It has long been, and remains, the most popular, and widely used, seat for international commercial arbitration. [1] Many of the world’s most respected arbitrators are current or former English barristers, including King’s Counsel and retired English judges, with experience of working for (among others) the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and the London Maritime Association Arbitration (LMAA). 31,514 civil disputes were resolved in the UK through arbitration, mediation and adjudication in 2024.  Combar members are regularly instructed as advocates in LCIA, ICC and LMAA arbitrations, as well as in litigation related to arbitration. They are also regularly instructed as arbitrators and mediators. A significant proportion of the claims issued in the Commercial Court (around 20%) relate to matters arising out of arbitration (All stats from UK Legal Services 2025, The Commercial Court Report 2023–2024 (Including the Admiralty Court Report) and the Civil Justice statistics quarterly: October 2024 to December 2024.)

[1] White & Case International Arbitration Survey Report 2025.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

ADR is increasingly being used to resolve commercial disputes. It is encouraged by the Commercial Court and pre-trial timetables will make provision for it if requested by the parties. Increasing numbers of Combar members are qualified, and have substantial experience, as mediators. Many others regularly act as advocates or representatives of clients in the mediation process.

What Combar members do

What Combar members do

Combar’s members are self-employed or employed commercial barristers practising at the English and Welsh Commercial Bar.

Our members carry out work nationally and internationally, in a wide range of litigation, arbitration and transactional work, often being called to appear in foreign courts. They have extensive experience of representing clients in high value commercial disputes across a range of sectors including banking, insurance, reinsurance, shipping, commodities, international trade and other business disputes.

Amongst other things, our members:

  • advise and act as advocates in complex litigation in the Commercial Court in London, based at the pre-eminent Rolls Building, as well as at appellate level in the UK and in other tribunals and arbitral proceedings held all over the world;
  • advise clients on non-contentious commercial law matters (such as the drafting of contractual terms, or the effect of contractual agreements);
  • act as expert witnesses on English law; and
  • advise governments and trans-national organisations on legal reform, helping to ensure effective and enforceable legislation and related rules.

The Commercial Bar’s reputation for dealing efficiently and effectively with commercial disputes is founded on centuries of experience. London has had a specialist Commercial Court since 1895, and Combar itself was formed in 1989. Six of Combar’s former Chairs have gone on to become judges of the Commercial Court, demonstrating the calibre of the Combar leadership and allowing the association to sustain a close and enduring professional dialogue with the specialist commercial judges.