New campaign to promote London as global dispute resolution centre

Unlocking Disputes, the groundbreaking new industry-led campaign to promote London as the global dispute resolution centre was launched in October.

The campaign brings together the Bar Council, the Law Society, and TheCityUK to showcase the quality and value that London’s legal services sector can offer clients all over the world.

The launch was attended by leaders of the legal profession and a host of practitioners, guests of honour included the lord chief justice, the lord mayor of London and justice ministers the Rt. Hon. the lord McNally and Jonathan Djanogly MP, demonstrating the strength of the government’s support for the campaign.

Speaking ahead of the launch, John Wotton, the president of the Law Society said:

"In an increasingly globalised world, businesses and individuals have the freedom to make choices about the laws, procedures and legal systems under which they resolve their disputes. We must promote the excellence of our legal profession as one of the many positive aspects that the jurisdiction of England and Wales has to offer to international parties. The Law Society is keen to work with the lord chancellor, TheCityUK and key firms to promote UK legal services abroad."

Michael Todd QC, the chairman-elect of the Bar Council, who has been part of the campaign’s working group, said:

“London is a world-class centre for all forms of dispute resolution, whether litigation, arbitration or mediation. London’s legal and professional services sector has been a huge success story in a severe financial downturn. It is a significant contributor to the UK economy and its role in resolving disputes all over the world enhances the UK’s reputation.

“We are proud to come together as a profession to produce this campaign and supporting marketing materials, which show our collective commitment to growing and enhancing our ability to offer the highest quality legal services all around the world.”

The Rt. Hon. the lord McNally, minister of state for justice, said:

“Impartiality, integrity and enforceability are London’s unique selling points in the settlement of disputes. “The world's business leaders come to London to settle their disputes so that they can move forward, trade can grow, and people can prosper. London's concentration of legal and financial expertise is unrivalled anywhere.

“Effective dispute resolution removes barriers to effective economic growth, and that benefits everyone. “The brand new Rolls Building in London means Britain has even more to offer: The world's most modern and hi-tech courts complex built specifically to resolve financial, business and property disputes.

“Since coming into office Ken Clarke and I have given high priority to the campaign to help international business to realise what UK legal services can offer.”

 Alderman Michael Bear, lord mayor of the City of London, said:

“The Unlocking Disputes campaign will play an important part in enhancing London’s reputation – and help the city maintain its position as the world’s premier centre for professional, business and professional services.

“Throughout my year in office I have promoted the UK’s world leading legal services industry – a crucial part of our competitive advantage. The industry generated £23.1bn in 2009 – equivalent to 1.8 per cent of GDP – and contributed £3.2bn in exports, triple the level of a decade ago. I wish the campaign well and look forward to the opening of the Rolls Building in December.”