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NLJ this week: Litigation funding case law post-PACCAR

23 February 2024
Issue: 8060 / Categories: Legal News , Litigation funding , Costs , Profession
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The seismic PACCAR judgment gave rise to considerable debate, not least its potential to stifle funding for important litigation such as the Post Office Horizon case

In fact, the government has since indicated it will bring in legislation to reverse PACCAR’s effect. In this week’s NLJ, Joseph Evans, senior associate, and Simon Heatley, knowledge lead, at Charles Russell Speechlys, look at recent litigation funding cases decided in the wake of PACCAR and consider what may happen next.

The case, which arose from a truck manufacturing dispute, was financed by a litigation funding agreement held by the Supreme Court to be a non-compliant damages-based agreement and therefore unenforceable. The decision looked likely to stifle a wide range of cases brought on the basis of litigation funded agreements.

Evans and Heatley take a close look at the decision and its practical implications. They identify limitations and potential gaps in the decision, which may allow litigation funders a way through.

The authors write: ‘Now the dust has started to settle, we are beginning to see judicial challenges arising under PACCAR, with litigants seeking to establish that existing litigation funding agreements fall within the ambit of PACCAR as non-compliant damages-based agreements with mixed success.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

Maria Karaiskos KC, recently appointed as the first female head of Church Court Chambers, discusses breaking down barriers, the lure of the courtroom, and the power of storytelling

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

Leading family law set strengthens ranks with high-profile additions

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Firm bolsters commercial team with senior employment partner hire

NEWS
Writing in NLJ this week, Kelvin Rutledge KC of Cornerstone Barristers and Genevieve Screeche-Powell of Field Court Chambers examine the Court of Appeal’s rejection of a discrimination challenge to Tower Hamlets’ housing database
Michael Zander KC, Emeritus Professor at LSE, tracks the turbulent passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Lords in this week's issue of NLJ. Two marathon debates drew contributions from nearly 200 peers, split between support, opposition and conditional approval
Alistair Mills of Landmark Chambers reflects on the Human Rights Act 1998 a quarter-century after it came into force, in this week's issue of NLJ
In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ, Stephen Gold surveys a raft of procedural changes and quirky disputes shaping civil practice. His message is clear: civil practitioners must brace for continual tweaks, unexpected contentions and rising costs in everyday litigation
Barbara Mills KC, chair of the Bar 2025 and joint head of chambers at 4PB, sets out in this week's NLJ how the profession will respond to Baroness Harriet Harman KC’s review into bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct at the Bar
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