Technology and Construction Court


Technology and Construction Court

a specialist forum that deals principally with construction disputes and computer or IT disputes. It replaced the Official Referee's Court. Major cases are heard there and some have gone on to the House of Lords. The court operates at centres across England and Wales. A number of Circuit judges are authorized to hear technology and construction cases and they receive specialist training. Recently the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice decided that the work of the court required a greater involvement of High Court judges. In construction and technology disputes, case management involves giving directions at preliminary hearings. The parties are encouraged to prepare for trial in an economic way. The Court will try to put parties in a position to settle their dispute (if they wish to do so) either by negotiation or by mediation. Most cases are business to business but there are some consumer cases.