Jackson urges Ministry of Justice to abandon DBA caution
Sir Rupert Jackson last week told justice minister Lucy Frazer that the government was wrong to tread with caution over reforming the regime for damages-based agreements (DBAs). He said there was “no possible reason” why hybrid DBAs were not allowed when hybrid conditional fee agreements were.
“Poorly drafted” CFA that named wrong defendant still valid, Court of Appeal rules
A conditional fee agreement that named the wrong defendant was still valid when read in the wider context of the claim, the Court of Appeal has ruled. It found this was actually supported by the slopping drafting of the agreement.
Commercial firm looking to cut out brokers names three to litigation funding panel
A commercial firm in Hertfordshire has appointed three litigation funders to a pioneering panel aimed at cutting out brokers’ fees and making smaller cases viable for backing. The panel covers claims up to £5m in value but its aim is to unlock many claims worth £1m or less by making them suitable for funding.
Specialist insolvency litigation funder set to list amid growing demand for capital
Specialist third-party funder Manolete Partners is planning to float on the London Stock Exchange so as to satisfy increasing demand for third-party funding from insolvency practitioners here and abroad, its chief executive said today. But it may also move into other areas of litigation in time, he indicated.
Leigh Day set to launch lecturer strike claim next week as it eyes Windrush group action
Group litigation specialist Leigh Day expects to send the first letter of a claim from a student to a university over the lecturer strike next week. Meanwhile, it confirmed yesterday that it is preparing a potential group action against the government on behalf of those who fall under the definition of the ‘Windrush generation’.
Irwin Mitchell highlights value of CFAs after Supreme Court win
Irwin Mitchell has lauded the value of conditional fee agreements after winning in the Supreme Court last week for an NHS worker whose bosses attempted to make her redundant whilst she was on holiday. The landmark ruling could trigger changes to all employment contracts in the UK.
High Court: security for costs application cannot be used to avoid enforcement of arbitration award
A security of costs application relating to a court challenge to an arbitration award cannot be used as a way of avoiding enforcement of the award, the High Court has ruled. Mr Justice Picken said the position was no different because a litigation funder was involved.
Listed funder targets shutdown by end of 2018
Litigation funder Juridica is on course to wind up at the end of this year, with just seven investments still live, although it has had to write off a $2m stake in a patent business. The AIM-listed company, which is chaired by Lord Brennan QC, began winding down in November 2015 citing a lack of scale.
