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

By John Freund |

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.

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John Freund

John Freund

Commercial

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Burford Capital Nominates Veteran Credit Investor Rick Noel to Board

By John Freund |

Burford Capital has proposed the appointment of Rick Noel, a veteran credit and financial services investor, as an independent non-executive director, subject to shareholder approval at the company's annual general meeting on May 13.

As reported by Investegate, Noel retired in 2022 as a partner at Varde Partners, a global alternative investment firm, after more than two decades. During his tenure at Varde, he held senior leadership roles including Head of Global Financial Services, Head of Europe, and Head of Asia, where he established the firm's Singapore office. His expertise spans financial services private equity, consumer and commercial credit, distressed credit portfolios, and asset-based investments.

Noel is expected to join Burford's Audit Committee upon appointment. He currently serves on the board of WiZink Bank, a consumer-focused Iberian bank, and acts as a senior advisor to MPowered Capital. He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and is both a CPA and CFA charterholder.

The nomination comes as Burford navigates the aftermath of a U.S. appeals court decision that overturned a $16.1 billion judgment in the YPF case in late March. Adding a seasoned credit investor to the board signals the company's focus on strengthening governance and financial oversight as it charts its path forward.

Florida Legislature Eyes Third-Party Litigation Funding Reform in April Special Session

By John Freund |

Advocates for lawsuit reform are urging the Florida Legislature to take up third-party litigation funding regulations during an upcoming special session in April, after the regular session ended without action on the issue.

As reported by Floridian Press, Randy Ray, chairman of Senior Consumers of America, argued that the practice of outside investors funding lawsuits in exchange for a share of settlements continues to "build momentum" in Florida and is "incentivizing frivolous lawsuits." He called for mandatory disclosure of third-party financing arrangements, restrictions preventing external backers from making case management decisions, and broader transparency requirements.

The proposed reforms would not prevent plaintiffs from seeking financial assistance during litigation but would require all parties to understand the financial interests at play. Proponents argue the safeguards are a matter of basic transparency, while critics contend such measures could restrict access to justice for plaintiffs who lack resources to fund complex litigation.

Florida has been a focal point in the national debate over litigation funding regulation. The state's most recent regular session saw third-party litigation finance disclosure bills advance through committees but ultimately stall before reaching the floor. The push for action during a special session reflects growing momentum among reform advocates to address what economists estimate is a hidden "tort tax" affecting Florida consumers.

Counsel Financial Enables $110 Million Credit Facility for Litigation-Focused Law Firm

By John Freund |

A litigation-focused law firm has secured a $110 million multi-participant credit facility, arranged and serviced by Counsel Financial, to refinance an existing financing arrangement on improved terms.

As reported by ABF Journal, the credit facility closed in the first quarter of 2026 and is backed by a portfolio of litigation assets, including class action lawsuits, mass tort claims, and complex litigation matters. Counsel Financial served as originator, underwriter, servicer, and collateral monitoring agent for the deal, which involved a specialty finance firm and an alternative asset manager as lenders.

The refinancing delivered enhanced financing flexibility for the law firm, providing capital for litigation expenses, personnel costs, and positioning the firm to advance and monetize its case portfolio. Counsel Financial described its role as providing "comprehensive underwriting and ongoing portfolio oversight" that enabled the improved terms.

The deal highlights the growing role of specialized lending in the litigation finance ecosystem, where law firms increasingly rely on credit facilities secured by their case inventories to fund operations and case development. As mass tort and class action dockets expand, demand for these structured financing arrangements continues to rise.