Trending Now
Announcements Commercial Deals

Jade Road Investments Limited: Investment in Heirloom Litigation Finance

Jade Road Investments Limited (AIM: JADE), the London quoted company focused on seeking the best risk-adjusted returns globally, announces a new investment of $250,000 into Heirloom Litigation Funding 2022 SPV XI (“Heirloom Litigation Finance”).  The investment was made in support of JADE’s updated Investment Policy to invest in attractive, uncorrelated, risk adjusted return opportunities.

This is the second investment made by JADE under its new Investment Policy approved in February 2023.  Its first investment, in April 2023, was into an Alternatives fund which invests primarily in asset-backed and/or income-producing opportunities such as equipment leasing, agriculture and infrastructure, and that are highly uncorrelated to the general market. 

Heirloom Litigation Finance has issued JADE a 1-year, 14% cash interest debt note, that is backed by a diversified portfolio of disbursement fundings for small consumer litigation claims in the UK, all backed by insurance. Interest is paid quarterly. Unlike many litigation finance opportunities, these claims fall under established precedents or quasi-governmental compensation programs, which are expected to increase the chance of success and reduce the length of time to settlement. The investment is a related party transaction under the Aim rules for Companies as Heirloom Investment Management LLC is a substantial shareholder in the Company and Heirloom Litigation Finance is a self-managed Cayman Islands company wholly owned by Heirloom Holdings. The Directors of the Company consider, having consulted with WH Ireland Limited, the Company’s nominated adviser, that the terms of the transactions are fair and reasonable insofar as its shareholders are concerned.

JADE recognizes the importance of genuine diversification in this volatile market, and how alternative investing can reduce volatility and improve returns in an investment portfolio.  JADE is pleased to add another investment that would be difficult for most investors to either access or diligence, and which aims to provide genuine diversification and risk-adjusted return enhancement to an investor’s portfolio.

 John Croft, the Company’s Executive Chairman, commented:

“JADE’s investment in Heirloom Litigation Funding 2022 SPV XI continues to build on our updated Investment Policy and our commitment to providing our shareholders with a portfolio of investments with solid risk-adjusted global returns.  With its strong return profile, insurance -backing, short duration and high coupon, which is paid quarterly, the Heirloom Litigation Finance investment is another step forward in JADE’s on-going transformation.” 

Announcements

View All
Announcements Consumer

Golden Pear Upsizes Corporate Note to $78.7M Amid Growth Plans

By John Freund |

Golden Pear Funding has extended and upsized its investment-grade corporate note to $78.7 million, further bolstering the firm's capacity to serve the expanding litigation finance sector. The New York-based funder, a national leader in both pre-settlement and medical receivables financing, said the proceeds will support working capital and fuel strategic growth initiatives.

A press release from Golden Pear outlines how the capital raise reflects continued investor confidence in the firm’s business model. CEO Gary Amos noted that the infusion is critical as Golden Pear seeks to scale alongside the “rapidly expanding litigation finance market.” CFO Daniel Amsellem added that the new funding aligns with the company’s capital allocation strategy, aimed at optimizing operational efficiency and executing strategic projects.

Brean Capital, LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent on the transaction.

Founded in 2008, Golden Pear has funded more than $1.1 billion to over 87,000 clients and remains one of the largest specialty finance companies in the U.S. Its business model spans legal case funding and medical receivables purchasing, with backing from a network of private equity partners that provide institutional support for continued expansion.

Announcements Regulatory Issues

LionFish Updates Model Documents in Response to CJC Report

By John Freund |

LionFish Litigation Finance Ltd has released a new suite of model litigation funding documents, updating its original set from February 2021. The revision comes on the heels of the Civil Justice Council's (CJC) Final Report on Litigation Funding, issued on 2 June 2025, which calls for a regulatory structure informed by best practices, including key principles published by the European Law Institute (ELI) in October 2024.

A LionFish press release details that the updated suite incorporates several of the ELI Principles (notably 4-12) and broader CJC recommendations, except where doing so would require legislative or procedural reform. LionFish's goal, according to Managing Director Tets Ishikawa, is not to dictate market norms but to foster industry-wide standardisation and efficiency. This proactive move is also intended to spark further collaboration between funders, insurers, and legal practitioners to develop trade practices akin to those in mature financial markets, such as those promoted by the Loan Market Association and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.

The new suite includes three core documents: a litigation funding agreement, a priorities deed to define proceeds distribution, and an assignment deed for insurance benefits. Notably, LionFish has also added documentation for co-investment arrangements, reflecting a growing trend in syndicated funding deals. The funder has already closed seven such transactions.

Managing Director Tanya Lansky emphasised that while litigation funding remains complex, making documentation public enhances transparency and facilitates quicker deal closings—an essential factor for sustaining market growth.

As litigation finance continues to mature, this move by LionFish highlights a shift toward professionalisation and standardisation. With regulators increasingly focused on transparency and fairness, such initiatives may set a de facto benchmark for others in the industry. The question remains: will other funders follow suit, or will regulatory mandates be needed to compel alignment?

Announcements Commercial Legal Innovation

Backlit Capital Solutions Launches Legal Finance Consultancy

By John Freund |

Backlit Capital Solutions has announced the launch of its full-service legal finance consultancy. The firm aims to provide comprehensive funding solutions for legal claims, offering services that include litigation finance, arbitration funding, and judgment enforcement strategies.

An article in PR Newswire states that Backlit Capital Solutions is positioning itself as a comprehensive provider in the legal finance sector, aiming to serve a diverse clientele that includes claimants, law firms, lenders, and investors. The firm's service offerings encompass litigation finance, arbitration funding, and judgment enforcement strategies, indicating a broad approach to legal funding solutions.

The launch of Backlit Capital Solutions reflects a growing trend in the legal finance industry, where firms are expanding their services to address the multifaceted needs of legal claimants and their representatives. By offering a suite of services under one roof, Backlit Capital Solutions aims to streamline the funding process and provide tailored solutions to its clients.

As the legal finance landscape continues to evolve, the entry of firms like Backlit Capital Solutions underscores the increasing demand for specialized financial services in the legal sector. Their comprehensive approach may set a new standard for how legal finance consultancies operate, potentially influencing the strategies of existing and emerging players in the market.