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The CJC’s Review of Litigation Funding Will Have Far-Reaching Effects

The following is a contributed piece by Tom Webster, Chief Commercial Officer at Sentry Funding.

Reform is on its way for the UK’s litigation funding sector, with the Civil Justice Council firing the starting gun on its review of litigation funding on 23 April.

The advisory body set out the terms of reference for its review, commissioned by lord chancellor Alex Chalk, and revealed the members of its core working group.

The review is working to an ambitious timetable with the aim of publishing an interim report by this summer, and a full report by summer 2025. It will be based on the CJC’s function of making civil justice ‘more accessible, fair and efficient’.

The CJC said it will set out ‘clear recommendations’ for reform in some areas. This includes consideration of a number of issues that could prove very significant for funders and clients. These include:

  • Whether the sector should be regulated, and if so, how and by whom;
  • Whether funders’ returns should be subject to a cap; and if so, to what extent;
  • The relationship between third party funding and litigation costs;
  • The court’s role in controlling the conduct of funded litigation, including the protection of claimants and ‘the interaction between pre-action and post-commencement funding of disputes’;
  • Duties relating to the provision of funding, including potential conflicts of interest between funders, lawyers and clients;
  • Whether funding encourages ‘specific litigation behaviour’ such as collective action.

The review’s core working group will be co-chaired by CJC members Mr Justice Simon Picken, a Commercial Court judge, and barrister Dr John Sorabji. The four other members are:

  • High Court judge Mrs Justice Sara Cockerill, who was judge in charge of the commercial court 2020 – 2022, and who is currently involved in a project on third party funding for the European Law Institute;
  • Academic and former City lawyer Prof Chris Hodges, chair of independent body the Regulatory Horizons Council which was set up to ensure that UK regulation keeps pace with innovation;
  • Lucy Castledine, Director of Consumer Investments at the Financial Conduct Authority; and
  • Nick Bacon KC, a prominent barrister and funding expert who acts for both claimants and defendants

The CJC had said that it may also bring in a consumer representative, as well as a solicitor experienced in group litigation.

In a sign that the review seeks to be informed by a wide range of views, the CJC has also extended an invitation for experts to join a broader consultation group, which will directly inform the work of the review and provide a larger forum for expert discussion. Meanwhile the advisory body has said there will also be further chance ‘for all to engage formally with this review’ later this year.

Given the broad remit of the review and significant impact that its recommendations may have on the litigation funding industry, litigation funders, lawyers and clients would be well advised to make the most of these opportunities to contribute to the review.

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LLoyd’s Extends Litica’s Coverholder Approval to Include Europe

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Whilst litigation funders often dominate the conversation in the legal funding space, the role and influence of litigation insurers has only grown in recent years as they have expanded their provision of litigation risk solutions to claimants, funders, law firms, and in-house counsel.

An announcement from Litica revealed that Lloyd’s has extended its Coverholder approval to include Europe, thereby approving Litica Europe to underwrite commercial litigation insurance on behalf of certain Lloyd’s Syndicates. This latest extension from Lloyd’s follows on from its existing Coverholder approval for Litica in both the United Kingdom and Asia-Pacific.

In the announcement, Litica explained that this approval authorises Litica Europe to underwrite insurance for policies with adverse cost limits of up to €15 million, which it says is “one of the most substantial and material levels of authority granted by Lloyd’s Syndicates in the commercial litigation insurance space.” This extension will also allow Litica to offer bespoke solutions to the European market, allowing for tailored products that are more suited to Europe than the UK.

Litica also highlighted that it has now underwritten over €2.2bn of risk to date, with cases spanning a range of litigation and arbitration.

More information about the approval and Litica’s ongoing work can be found in the full announcement here.

Renovus Capital Partners’ Portfolio Company Angeion Group Acquires Donlin Recano

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Angeion Group, a premier provider of end-to-end group litigation services, today announced the acquisition of Donlin Recano & Co. LLC, a distinguished leader in bankruptcy administration. This strategic acquisition enhances Angeion Group’s comprehensive suite of tech-enabled legal services, reinforcing its position as the market leader in group litigation support.

With a legacy of serving over 200 national clients across diverse industries, Donlin Recano brings decades of expertise in claims management, noticing, and bankruptcy case administration. By integrating its operations, Angeion Group is poised to set a new industry standard—leveraging technology, precision, and innovation to redefine the way complex bankruptcy matters are managed.

“Bringing Donlin Recano into the Angeion Group family allows us to apply our hallmark commitment to accuracy, innovation, and efficiency to an already well-respected leader in the restructuring space,” said Steven Weisbrot, CEO of Angeion Group. “Our vision is clear: we will continue to listen to our clients, anticipate their evolving needs, and deliver transformative solutions that exceed expectations.”

This acquisition marks a significant expansion of Angeion Group’s service offerings, seamlessly integrating Donlin Recano’s proven expertise with Angeion’s award-winning technology and client-first approach. Together, the combined division, Angeion Group Bankruptcy Services, will provide an elevated standard of service to law firms, financial institutions, and corporate clients navigating the complexities of bankruptcy and restructuring.

“We’re excited to see the momentum that Angeion Group is building both through organic and inorganic growth,” said Greg Gladstone, Vice President at Renovus. “Donlin Recano seamlessly complements Angeion Group’s extensive legal services capabilities by adding bankruptcy expertise, unlocking significant opportunities for growth and delivering enhanced value to our clients.”

With this acquisition, Angeion Group continues its trajectory of strategic growth and industry leadership, reaffirming its commitment to delivering best-in-class tech-enabled legal services across the litigation and bankruptcy sectors.

About Angeion Group

Angeion Group is a leading provider of legal notice and settlement administration services, leveraging technology, expertise, and data-driven strategies to deliver best-in-class solutions for complex litigation matters. With a reputation for excellence, innovation, and unwavering client commitment, Angeion Group continues to redefine industry standards.

IQuote Announces New Dubai Office to Support Global Technology Strategy

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

In the ongoing struggle to carve out opportunities within the competitive legal funding market, smaller regional funders are increasingly looking to technology-oriented strategies to try to grow their operations and compete with the established market leading companies.

An article in Insider Media covers an announcement from litigation funder IQuote Limited, who are expanding their operations with the opening of a new office in Dubai. IQuote, which was founded in Manchester in 2016, sees the Dubai office as a major step in its strategy to strengthen its technology capabilities, with plans to embark on a recruitment drive to staff this new office.

Along with this expansion to a new region, IQuote is also working on bolstering its Manchester office with new hires to build on its existing strength in the European market. IQuote is looking to recruit for several positions, including a Head of European Opportunities, Data and Risk Analysts to enhance financial forecasting, and auditors for account management and reporting. 

Craig Cornick, CEO of IQuote, highlighted Dubai’s place as “a global innovation hub”, with the new local footprint allowing the company to “tap into a wealth of talent and technological resources.” Explaining IQuote’s unified approach across these different regions, Cornick said, “By strengthening both our Manchester and Dubai teams, we’re ensuring that we have the resources and expertise needed to meet the increasing demand for our services across Europe and beyond.”