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Leading disruptor in civil litigation finds capital solution to drive unprecedented growth

July 29, 2021

Leading disruptor in civil litigation finds capital solution to drive unprecedented growth

PURE Business Group (PURE), the multi-discipline legal services business, has today announced a new £multi-million funding facility with Sandfield Capital. PURE, which currently handles over 12,000 new instructions each year, hopes that this move will dramatically accelerate its ability to develop record numbers of cases over the next few years. The agreement is anticipated to deliver dominant market-share in the volume civil litigation space in PURE’s current six case verticals, plus extend then across four new areas of focus. Combined with planned increases in the coming months, PURE will target 30,000 new cases per year from 2022, whilst more than doubling turnover and profit. Group CEO, Phil Hodgkinson commented: “Now in our seventh year of trading, I’m proud to say that our business continues to go from strength to strength. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, we have remained profitable throughout, and continue to break case settlement records month on month. Aside from fuelling a transformational growth in case volumes, the new funding agreement allows us to launch innovative new products and enter new markets, too. The future is incredibly exciting for this business and our colleagues within it.” Sandfield Capital CEO, Steven D’Ambrosio said: “We are delighted to support PURE in its future. Having run an initial pilot with them from January this year, we have already seen 25% of the total funded book come to settlement resolution. Based upon current data, we will see 100% settlement of the pilot scheme cases within a further six months. That has given us the confidence to extend the facility to a significant eight-figure sum, enabling PURE to increase new case volumes significantly and pursue those cases aggressively on behalf of clients.” About Pure Business Group PURE Business Group was created to provide a unique, innovative and collaborative solution to the civil litigation legal sector. Founded in early 2015 by Phil Hodgkinson, and bringing thirty years’ experience within the insurance and legal sector, the group employs in excess of 450 staff in four UK locations. The group comprises a number of complimentary companies, including an ABS-structured barristers chambers and law firm, a technology business, a specialist vetting business, a claims-handling business and multiple marketing brands. Its unique model centres around non-recourse CCA disbursement loans to customers, which are fully insured by a large panel of A-Rated Insurers and Re-Insurers. This model allows us to concentrate its own cash flow on business growth and taking on new cases. It can also litigate in volume, without constraint, against any defendants who refuse to come to the table and settle valid cases in a reasonable and timely manner. Sandfield Capital has been designed to support individuals pursuing legal claims and facilitate their access to justice. It was launched in 2020 by Steven D’Ambrosio, a former Finance Director at Close Brothers Premium Finance, who has conceived and built a number of highly-successful ventures in the financial and legal sectors and remains extremely passionate about creating and tailoring funding solutions. Sandfield works directly with accredited legal firms to ensure that all clients achieve the best possible outcome, complimented by straight forward, innovative products that support their legal cases.
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Announcements Commercial

ILFA Welcomes Commissioner McGrath’s Rejection of EU Regulation for Third-Party Litigation Funding

By John Freund |

On 18 November 2025, European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath closed the final meeting of the EU’s High-Level Forum on Justice for Growth with a clear statement that the Commission does not plan new legislation on Third Party Litigation Funding (TPLF). 

He added that Forum participants also indicated that there is no need to further regulate third-party litigation funding.

Instead, Commissioner McGrath said the Commission will prioritise monitoring the implementation of the Representative Actions Directive (RAD) over any new legislative proposals. 

(video from 2.32 here). 

Paul Kong, Executive Director of the International Legal Finance Association (ILFA), said:  “We’re delighted to see Commissioner McGrath’s clear statement that EU regulation for third-party litigation funding is not planned. This appears to close any talk of the need for new regulation, which was completely without evidence and created considerable uncertainty for the sector.

Over several years, ILFA has consistently made the case that litigation funding plays a critical role in ensuring European businesses and consumers can access justice without financial limitations and are not disadvantaged against larger and financially stronger defendants. New legislation would have choked off the availability of financial support to level the playing field for claimants. 

We will continue to work closely with the Commission to share the experiences of our members on the implementation of the RAD across the EU, ensuring it also works for claimants in consumer group actions facing defendants with deep pockets.”

About ILFA

The International Legal Finance Association (ILFA) represents the global commercial legal finance community, and its mission is to engage, educate and influence legislative, regulatory and judicial landscapes as the global voice of the commercial legal finance industry. It is the only global association of commercial legal finance companies and is an independent, non-profit trade association promoting the highest standards of operation and service for the commercial legal finance sector. ILFA has local chapter representation around the world. For more information, visit www.ilfa.com or @ILFA_Official. 

About the High-Level Forum on Justice for Growth

European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath launched the High-Level Forum on Justice for Growth in March 2025 to bring together legal industry experts to “focus on and discuss together how justice policies can contribute to – and further support – European competitiveness and growth”. The final meeting of the Forum took place on 18 November 2025, in Brussels. 

Announcements Commercial

Pogust Goodhead Appoints Jonathan Edward Wheeler as Partner and Head of Mariana Litigation

By John Freund |

Pogust Goodhead law firm has appointed Jonathan Edward Wheeler as a partner and Head of Mariana Litigation, adding heavyweight firepower to the team driving one of the largest group claims in English legal history following the firm’s landmark liability win against BHP in the English courts.

Jonathan joins Pogust Goodhead from Morrison Foerster in London, where he was a leading commercial litigation partner, having served for seven years as office co-managing partner and for 15 years as Head of Litigation. A specialist in complex, cross-border disputes, Jonathan has extensive experience acting in high-value commercial litigation, civil fraud and asset tracing, international trust disputes, contentious insolvency and investigations across multiple jurisdictions.

In his new role, Jonathan will assume strategic leadership of the proceedings arising from the Mariana dam disaster against mining giant BHP, overseeing the continued development of the case into the damages phase and working closely with colleagues in Brazil, the UK, the Netherlands and beyond.

Howard Morris, Chairman at Pogust Goodhead said: “Jonathan is a heavyweight addition to Pogust Goodhead and to our Mariana team. His track record in running some of the most complex cross-border disputes in the English courts, together with his leadership experience, make him exactly the kind of senior figure we need after our historic liability victory. Our clients will benefit enormously from his expertise and judgment.”

Jonathan Wheeler said: “It is a privilege to join Pogust Goodhead at such a pivotal moment in the Mariana case. The recent liability judgment is a watershed for access to justice and corporate accountability. I am honoured to help lead the next phase of this extraordinary litigation and to work alongside a team that has shown such determination in seeking justice for hundreds of thousands of victims.”

Alicia Alinia, CEO at Pogust Goodhead said: “Bringing in lawyers of Jonathan’s calibre is a strategic choice. As we expand the depth and breadth of our disputes practice globally, we are investing in senior talent who can help us deliver justice at scale for our clients and build an even more resilient firm.”

The Mariana proceedings in England involve over 600,000 of Brazilian individuals, businesses, municipalities, religious institutions and Indigenous communities affected by the 2015 Fundão dam collapse in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Following the English court’s decision on liability on the 14th of November 2025, the case will now move into the next stage focused on damages and the quantification of losses on an unprecedented scale.

Announcements Regulatory Issues

Pravati Capital Establishes Coalition to Advance Responsible Litigation Funding Regulation Across U.S. Following Arizona Law’s Passage

By John Freund |

Arizona’s Senate Bill 1215 (SB1215) will become law on Jan. 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the state’s role as a national leader in advancing access to justice through litigation funding, positioning Arizona as a model for other states considering similar measures. Arizona’s legislation reflects a broader movement in states such as California and Georgia, where lawmakers are weighing the benefits of litigation finance as a way to level the playing field for plaintiffs facing deep-pocketed adversaries.

To help advance these efforts, Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Pravati Capital, one of the oldest litigation finance firms in the U.S. and supporter of the bill alongside the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the broader legal community, has formed a coalition of litigation funders, attorneys and policy advocates committed to ensuring that states pass responsible regulation that protects plaintiffs. 

The bill’s final passage underscores a consensus reached after months of negotiations and reflects bipartisan compromise, according to Alexander Chucri, founder and CEO of Pravati Capital. SB1215 ensures funding remains a viable option for plaintiffs seeking to stand on equal footing with well-capitalized corporate opponents; it requires greater transparency of legal proceedings and prohibits funding and influence by foreign countries or entities of concern as defined in the legislation. 

“Arizona’s leadership in the area of litigation funding sends a powerful signal nationally,” said Senate Majority Whip Frank Carroll, a key supporter of the legislation. “This legislation is the product of constructive negotiation that demonstrates what’s possible when all sides work toward the shared goal of preserving access to justice.”

“It closes the door on bad actors while ensuring responsible litigation finance firms can continue to help plaintiffs pursue meritorious claims,” said Chucri. “At Pravati, we welcome this as part of an ongoing dialogue.”

SB1215 took effect on September 26, 90 days after the close of the legislative session, and, with a delayed effective date, will become law on January 1. Among key provisions, SB1215:

·       Protects the integrity of cases by restricting involvement by foreign countries or entities of concern as defined in the legislation, ensuring litigation funding remains aligned with U.S. legal and ethical standards.

·       Preserves innovation in legal services, reaffirming Arizona’s pioneering role in allowing alternative business structures (ABS), law firms that permit non-lawyers decision-making authority, to expand access to legal services by partnering with litigation funding firms.   

·       Balances regulation, affirming safeguards such as prohibitions on funders controlling litigation, while maintaining transparency. 

Chucri added, “Pravati has always believed our mission — ‘to befriend, help and protect’ — is best achieved through cooperation and a willingness to educate stakeholders. We will continue to engage constructively in conversations to advance fair, responsible access to justice.” 

About Pravati Capital

Established in 2013, Pravati Capital, LLC is among the oldest litigation finance firms in the U.S., delivering a proven track record as an equalizing force in court and a unique and uncorrelated asset class to investors. Founded by Alexander Chucri, a visionary in developing the industry's first pioneering model of litigation finance in 2003, Pravati Capital brings together a seasoned team with deep experience across law, finance and successful entrepreneurial ventures. The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based firm delivers strategic capital solutions for attorneys and law firms, helps plaintiffs gain access to justice through financial support, and offers accredited investors an attractive asset class designed to perform independently of traditional markets. Pravati’s mission is its namesake: to befriend, help and protect. For more information, visit PravatiCapital.com.