Bristol becomes a regional centre for the Administrative Court

At a ceremony presided over by the Rt Honourable Sir John Thomas, President of the Queen’s Bench Division, the Administrative Court at the Bristol Civil Justice Centre today was officially opened. The first case to be heard was before a three-judge divisional court: Thomas LJ; Beatson and Burnett JJ.

Robin Tolson QC responding on behalf of the bar and solicitors and welcoming the judges to Bristol,  stressed the vital need for local practitioners to use the service, stating: “There was simply no need to go further afield and significant disadvantages in doing so.”

The arrival of the Administrative Court has been long anticipated, having been originally overlooked when regionalisation was first proposed. Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff and Birmingham were listed in the 2007 report “Justice Outside London”,  however under the  command of Tony Woodburn, Western Circuit and Bristol Law Society launched a bid to include Bristol as a late addition.

After first winning approval and the backing of the then QBD President, Sir Anthony May, the plans were affected by cuts to the HM Courts’ Service budgets.  With the backing of local solicitors and the bar, along with great efforts by the Presiding Judges of the Western Circuit, Bristol is now up and running as a regional centre.

At the opening ceremony Sir John emphaised the advantages of using Bristol for all South West cases. The court, especially during its initial phase, was highly likely to offer a much faster service with hearing times being less than those in London or Cardiff.

St John's Chambers' Administrative Law Team would be happy to explain how the new jurisdiction will work in practice.