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Apex Litigation Finance Announces the Retirement of Stephen Allinson as Head of Legal

By John Freund |
August 26, 2025

Apex Litigation Finance Announces the Retirement of Stephen Allinson as Head of Legal

Apex Litigation Finance has announced the retirement of Stephen Allinson from his role as Head of Legal, marking the end of a formal leadership chapter but not his association with the litigation funder.

Stephen is a highly respected Solicitor and Licensed Insolvency Practitioner with more than 40 years’ experience in business law, insolvency and debt recovery. Over the course of his career, he has combined practice with thought leadership, lecturing widely on credit and insolvency matters and serving in senior regulatory and educational roles.

His distinguished career includes:

  • Building and leading a nationally recognised insolvency and debt recovery practice at a large regional law practice, employing over 60 department staff and managing key national contracts.
  • Serving as Chairman of the Board of The Insolvency Service and Chairman of The Joint Insolvency Examination Board.
  • Holding senior tribunal and regulatory positions, including membership of the ICAEW Conduct Committee and more than a decade chairing disciplinary and appeal tribunals for the ACCA.
  • Chairing the Assessment Board of the Chartered Institute of Credit

Stephen first joined Apex in 2019 as a consultant, before becoming Head of Legal in 2022. In that capacity he has been instrumental in guiding Apex’s legal strategy, strengthening its market position and ensuring the company’s commitment to fair, practical and client-focused litigation funding.

While he will be stepping down from the Head of Legal role, Stephen’s association with Apex will not end. He will continue to serve the business as a trusted consultant, providing invaluable expertise and support to the team and Apex’s clients.

Maurice Power, CEO of Apex Litigation Finance, said: “Stephen’s contribution to Apex has been exceptional. His legal expertise, combined with his deep understanding of insolvency and credit law, has helped shape Apex into the funder it is today. We are delighted that while he is stepping down from his formal role, we will continue to benefit from his counsel as a consultant. We thank him sincerely for his leadership and look forward to our continued collaboration.”

Tim Fallowfield, Apex Chairman wrote:  “Apex would not be where it is today without Stephen’s contribution, his wide-ranging legal knowledge and passion for his work. He has mentored the legal team, led by example and been an integral member of the Apex Investment Committee. We wish him lots of luck for the next chapter and look forward to his future engagement with the Apex business. From all of us at Apex, a hearty thanks.”

Stephen commented: “It has been a privilege to be part of the Apex journey and contribute to the growth of the company. Access to justice has always been one of the guiding principles of my professional career and I look forward to the continuing growth of Apex and still playing my part, albeit in a different role.”

About Apex Litigation Finance

Apex Litigation Finance provides fast, fair and flexible funding solutions for small to mid-sized UK commercial disputes requiring between £10,000 and £750,000 of funding, on a non-recourse basis. By combining financial support with deep sector expertise, Apex enables access to justice for claimants while serving as a trusted partner to legal professionals and insolvency practitioners.

About the author

John Freund

John Freund

Commercial

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Commercial

Federal Judiciary Advisory Committee Moves Forward with Litigation Finance Transparency Rules

By John Freund |

A federal judiciary advisory committee agreed on Tuesday to develop transparency obligations for third-party litigation funders, advancing one of the most closely watched rulemaking efforts in U.S. civil procedure. The decision came despite what participants described as "vehement" opposition from segments of both the defense and plaintiffs' bars, underscoring how contentious disclosure of funding arrangements remains within the legal community.

As reported by Law360, the committee, which shapes the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, signaled that it will continue drafting specific disclosure requirements rather than shelving the project, as some stakeholders had urged. Alongside the litigation finance item, the panel also advanced proposed updates to subpoena rules addressing remote testimony and service of process.

For funders, the development marks a significant shift in the regulatory conversation. Industry groups have long argued that existing discovery tools are sufficient to address concerns about control and conflicts, while proponents of disclosure contend that parties and courts need a clearer view of who stands to benefit from a case. The committee's decision indicates that federal rulemakers are prepared to put that debate to the test with concrete drafting, even as both sides continue to press their positions.

Next steps will involve developing rule text and further public input before any proposal moves up the Judicial Conference's rulemaking chain. Market participants will be watching closely, as any federal disclosure rule would likely influence how funders structure deals, negotiate with claimants, and manage portfolios across U.S. commercial litigation.

Commercial

Judge Preska Orders Argentina’s Economy Minister to Produce Texts in YPF Enforcement Fight

By John Freund |

A U.S. federal judge has ordered Argentina's economy minister to turn over text messages sought by plaintiffs pursuing enforcement of the multibillion-dollar YPF judgment, the latest development in one of the most prominent litigation finance-backed cases in the world. The ruling expands the discovery footprint available to creditors working to collect on the landmark award against the Republic of Argentina.

As reported by Bloomberg, U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska ruled on Tuesday that plaintiffs backed by Burford Capital are entitled to messages from Argentina's sitting economy minister. The decision continues a pattern in which Judge Preska has pushed Argentina to produce internal communications and financial information as the plaintiffs seek to identify attachable assets and pierce through sovereign defenses.

Burford, which funded the underlying claims brought by former YPF minority shareholders, has pursued a sprawling enforcement campaign following a 2023 judgment of approximately $16 billion plus interest. Argentina has resisted enforcement on multiple fronts, appealing the merits ruling and contesting asset-identification discovery, while the plaintiffs have sought turnover of Argentina's interest in YPF itself.

For the litigation finance market, the order is another marker of how far-reaching post-judgment discovery can be in high-stakes sovereign enforcement — and how central funder-backed plaintiffs have become to the mechanics of collecting against state defendants. The decision is likely to intensify the ongoing standoff between Argentina and its creditors in the U.S. courts.

Commercial

South Korea Recovers Record ISDS Legal Costs After Schindler Pays 9.6 Billion Won

By John Freund |

South Korea has recovered a record amount in investor-state dispute settlement legal costs, with Swiss elevator manufacturer Schindler paying approximately 9.6 billion won to satisfy a cost award following its unsuccessful arbitration claim against the Korean government. The payment marks the largest ISDS cost recovery in the country's history and offers a notable data point for parties evaluating the downside risk of treaty-based claims.

As reported by Chosunbiz, Jo Ara, head of the international investment disputes division at South Korea's Ministry of Justice, confirmed the recovery during a briefing on the government's handling of the case. Schindler had pursued a long-running claim tied to its investment in Hyundai Elevator, which the tribunal ultimately declined to sustain, exposing the investor to a substantial cost-shifting order.

The outcome highlights the growing willingness of tribunals to allocate costs against unsuccessful claimants in investor-state proceedings, a trend that has direct implications for litigation funders active in the international arbitration market. Cost awards of this scale can materially affect the economics of funding ISDS claims and are increasingly a factor in underwriting decisions.

For the broader litigation finance community, the Schindler payment underscores why funders evaluating treaty claims closely monitor both merits risk and cost exposure. As more states pursue aggressive recovery strategies after successful defenses, the downside profile of funded ISDS portfolios continues to evolve.