The City of London Corporation is purchasing new premises to launch its flagship combined courts facility on Fleet Street, with Gowling WLG and Charles Russell Speechlys advising on the deal.

The City of London Corporation is purchasing the building at 68 – 71 Fleet Street from insurer Royal London Group to form part of the new judicial centre, with the building also housing a new City of London Police station.

The court is expected to launch in 2025 with the 31,600 sq. ft building forming part of the venture. The new building will replace all of the City of London’s current court services, with the exception of the Old Bailey, and is being developed by the City of London Corporation in partnership with HM Courts and Tribunal Service and the judiciary.

Gowling WLG is advising Royal London Group on the sale, with real estate partner Felicity Lindsay and real estate principal associate Rita Vartoukian on the firm's team.

Charles Russell Speechlys is representing the City of London Corporation on the purchase.

City of London Corporation policy and resources chairman Catherine McGuiness said the Fleet Street complex will “make sure London continues to set the highest legal standards domestically and internationally.”

At the time of the announcement of the new courts, City litigators told Legal Week they were unconvinced by the merits of the proposals, with some expressing surprise at the level of investment and how the court will work alongside the relatively new Rolls Building.