Business and Property Division of the High Court established: BPD replaces Chancery Division of the High Court
The structure of the UK High Court has been modernised by the recent establishment of the Business and Property Division (BPD). Since the start of October 2026, the BPD has combined the Business and Property Courts, which previously sat across the Chancery Division and King’s Bench, into a single division. The Business and Property Courts are a group of specialist civil courts which deal with high-value, complex and frequently international disputes, which includes intellectual property cases.
The BPD replaces the Chancery Division of the High Court and stands alongside the Family and King’s Bench Divisions of the High Court.
On 01 October, Sir Colin Birss, the current Chancellor of the High Court, became the first president of the BPD. He became Master of Rolls on 01 November 2026 but will maintain oversight over the BPD until a new president is appointed.
Practical effects
In his speech outlining the implementation of the BPD Sir Colin Birss stated, “Apart from the name change, users will notice little change in the ways of working”.
The reform is largely an administrative one, which requires updating of court forms, seals and court guides and amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), Practice Directions and court systems. The specialist courts within the BPD and their existing jurisdictions will continue as normal.
The reform aims to:
- make it easier for court users to understand where to bring cases and therefore improve access to justice;
- enhance the international reputation of the Business and Property Courts by including them within a single divisional structure;
- simplify processes for business and property work within the High Court; and
- ensure that it is easier to assign judges where they are most needed.
