Holman Fenwick Willan report finds 41% of parties are overseas as median claim values rise to nearly £40m
A report by HFW, in partnership with Solomonic, analysing trends in London’s Commercial Court from 2014 to 2025, indicates that the court continues to cement its reputation as a leading forum for resolving high‑value international disputes.
The report finds that approximately 41 % of parties in Commercial Court disputes are based outside the UK, with sustained participation from entities in the European Union, the United States, and the Asia‑Pacific region. It attributes this global appeal to judicial independence, established legal precedent, and perceived consistency of decisions, and notes that analysis over a 12‑year period shows no statistically meaningful bias between claimants and defendants, reinforcing the court’s reputation for fairness.
“Our clients are frequently choosing the Commercial Court to resolve their big-ticket disputes. They like the quality of judgments and consistency of decision-making, along with the efficient case management and the availability of quick interim relief. The Commercial Court really stands out in the international dispute resolution arena,” said Adam Richardson, partner, Singapore. This insight complements the report’s findings, illustrating why the court remains a preferred forum for global litigants.
In terms of case types, disputes in banking and finance were the most common between 2020 and 2025, followed by shipping and maritime and insurance-related claims. The report also identifies a spike in insurance litigation in 2023 linked to COVID-19 business interruption claims.
The value of claims has risen sharply, with median claim values increasing from just over £10 million in 2024 to nearly £40 million in 2025, reflecting both the court’s focus on higher-value matters and changes to jurisdictional thresholds. Alongside this, average case durations lengthened to 819 days in 2025, illustrating the growing complexity of disputes.
Despite longer timelines, around 67 % of cases settle before a defence is filed. For matters that proceed to trial, claimants are reported to have a 59 % likelihood of succeeding or partially succeeding, a statistic that may influence litigation strategy in high-value cases.
Overall, the report concludes that the Commercial Court remains a central venue for complex, high-stakes disputes, with its role reinforced by increasing claim values, sustained international engagement, and consistent judicial impartiality.