header-logo header-logo

Funding manoeuvres

14 May 2009 / Steven Friel , Michael Williams
Issue: 7369 / Categories: Features , Public , Procedure & practice
printer mail-detail

How, if at all, has the downturn in the economy affected litigation funding? Steven Friel & Michael Williams discuss the evidence

* * * * * *

There has been a great deal of hyperbole written about litigation funding in the last year. An expected increase in litigation caused by the financial crisis combined with the increasingly accepting political and judicial approach to litigation funding has led many to predict a rapid rise in third party funding agreements, including agreements whereby professionals funders such as banks and hedge funds agree to take on a part of the litigation risk from a claimant in return for a slice of the damages award if the case is successful. However, for all the hype, a relatively small number of cases have actually been funded, suggesting that demand in the current economic climate may be not be as ripe for litigation funding as many expected.

Conditional fee agreements

The usual type of conditional fee agreement (CFA) between a client and his solicitor provides that if the

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll