The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has unveiled plans to promote the UK's courts and legal services to overseas companies.

An action plan published yesterday (16 May) by the MoJ and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) outlines plans to promote the UK's commercial arbitration, mediation and court services globally.

The plan comes as part of a bid to increase the £23.1bn of annual revenues currently generated by commercial dispute resolution and legal services in the UK and its contribution to the UK's gross domestic product, which in 2009 stood at 1.8%.

Government commitments include creating an online promotional toolkit for trade and investment advisers, and ensuring professional representatives attend official visits where appropriate.

The plan also details reasons for using the UK courts, such as streamlined court services through the Rolls Building, which is due to open later this year and incorporates all the work carried out by the Commercial Court, the Technology and Construction Court and the Chancery Division, and the easy enforceability of English judgments.

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke (pictured) said: "As Britain's economy emerges from a difficult period, it is vitally important that the country builds on its strengths to support the recovery. There are few areas where Britain is stronger than in the law.

"Whether it's in the provision of legal services, the use of our courts for the resolution of disputes, or the application of English law for contracting, the UK is truly a global centre of excellence."

The UK has also tried to promote itself by encouraging mediation over litigation, with the number of disputes resolved through arbitration and mediation in the UK reaching 34,541 in 2009, up from 19,384 in 2007.

Commenting on the plans, Herbert Smith litigation partner Ted Greeno said: "After many years of indifference, this Government sees the value of commercial legal services to the economy and its support abroad can do nothing but help grow London's pre-eminence as an independent venue for dispute resolution."

He added: "This comes both in tandem with the opening the Rolls Building for business courts in London later this year and at a time when other countries, such as Singapore, are starting to promote themselves as a venue for resolving international disputes."