International Business Courts in Europe and Beyond: A Global Competition for Justice?

Abstract

International commercial courts have been set up in Europe and beyond, in the past decade in particular. This trend can be explained by the need to offer a specialised dispute resolution mechanism within the public court system and to drive innovation in the justice system. These new courts have also, however, stemmed from increasing international competition focused on attracting high-value business disputes. This article offers an introduction to this issue on international business courts in Europe and in a number of other jurisdictions. It addresses the factors that have led to the establishment of these courts, justice innovation and competition as well as effects on the global commercial litigation market.

Keywords: international business courts, justice innovation, justice competition, global commercial litigation, private international law