The European Litigation Funding Association (ELFA) is very pleased to announce that Stonward, a litigation funder focusing on Spain and Latin America, has joined ELFA, as the association now builds towards becoming the collective voice of the European Litigation Funding Industry.
Guido Demarco, Director and Head of Legal Assets of Stonward, explained why it was important for the funder to become part of ELFA: “we are thrilled to announce our membership in the European Litigation Funding Association (ELFA), marking a significant milestone in our journey as a litigation funder based in Spain. Joining ELFA aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence and the pursuit of justice within the legal industry.”
Demarco added, “as a member of ELFA, we are eager to collaborate with like-minded professionals and industry leaders from across Europe. By uniting our strengths and expertise, we aim to drive positive change, foster transparency, and promote the highest standards of ethical litigation funding practices. Through our membership, we seek to contribute to the development of the litigation funding ecosystem in Spain and the broader European market, while raising awareness about this legal tool among legal experts and company managers. We believe that by working closely with ELFA, we can actively shape the future of litigation funding, advocate for its recognition as a valuable tool for access to justice, and support the growth of fair and effective dispute resolution mechanisms.”
Deminor Partner and ELFA Board Member, Charles Demoulin, highlighted how pleased he and the other founding members of ELFA were, to welcome Stonward to ELFA: “My co-founders and I established ELFA established to serve as the European voice of the commercial litigation funding industry and we are immensely proud to start now welcoming on board funders from around Europe who are also keen to play a part in shaping the direction of the industry. We are extremely pleased to announce that Guido Demarco and Stonward are full members of ELFA and look forward with enthusiasm to their future contributions.”
ELFA was founded by three leading litigation funders with a European footprint including Deminor, Nivalion AG, and Omni Bridgeway Limited. ELFA’s current directors are Charles Demoulin (Chief Investment Officer, Deminor); Marcel Wegmüller (Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Nivalion AG); and Wieger Wielinga (Managing Director EMEA Omni Bridgeway), who will serve as ELFA’s inaugural Chairman. The intention of the association is to be inclusive for all professional litigation funders of larger or smaller size.
Demarco further explained what he and Stonward are keen to achieve by being members of ELFA: “our core focus remains on the Spanish market, however, we recognize the importance of collaboration and exchange of knowledge at a European level. By participating in ELFA’s initiatives, events, and working groups, we intend to stay at the forefront of industry trends, legislative changes, and emerging best practices. This will enable us to better serve our clients, enhance our risk management capabilities, and further strengthen our commitment to providing tailored and innovative funding solutions. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and the doors that our membership in ELFA open for all of us. Together with other fellow members, we are committed to advancing the field of litigation funding, fostering a culture of integrity, and ensuring access to justice for all.”
About ELFA:
ELFA was founded by three leading litigation funders with a European footprint including Deminor, Nivalion AG, and Omni Bridgeway Limited. ELFA’s current directors are Charles Demoulin (Chief Investment Officer, Deminor); Marcel Wegmüller (Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Nivalion AG); and Wieger Wielinga (Managing Director EMEA Omni Bridgeway), who will serve as ELFA’s inaugural Chairman. The intention of the association is to be inclusive for all professional litigation funders of larger or smaller size.
About Stonward:
Stonward began operations in 2020, offering bespoke solutions to access legal finance, providing clients with access to capital for commercial litigation and arbitration, focusing on Spain and Latin America.
Stonward advises clients to find the angle to their legal assets so that they can capitalize on strengths, offering tailored solutions to access legal finance. Stonward manages a portfolio of claims related to commercial cases, intellectual property, restructuring and insolvency, and antitrust infringements, including the truck cartel.
In addition to Guido Demarco, Director and Head of Legal Assets, other key members of Stonward include, Armando Betancor, Blas González, and Chris Garvey, [members of the Board of Investments], and Rodrigo Olivares-Caminal, and Eduardo Frutos, who are Corporate Advisors to the company.
