Proposed regulation of litigation funding for proceedings in the EU

The European Parliament has published a proposed Directive to regulate commercial third party funding within the EU. The proposed Directive will not directly affect proceedings in England and Wales, but will apply to litigation funders based in the UK where they are funding proceedings in the EU. Key recommendations include a provision invalidating a litigation … Read more

Court of Appeal confirms Damages-Based Agreements (DBAs) are not for defendants

The Court of Appeal has confirmed that Damages-Based Agreements (or DBAs) cannot be used by defendants as, under s.58AA of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, the agreement must provide for payment to the lawyer if the client “obtains a specified financial benefit” from the litigation: Candey Ltd v Tonstate Group Ltd [2022] EWCA … Read more

High Court once again upholds award of third party funding costs in arbitration

The Commercial Court has refused a challenge to an arbitral award brought on the basis of the tribunal’s award of the costs of third party funding to the successful party, finding that it did not constitute a serious irregularity under s68 of the 1996 Arbitration Act: Tenke Fungurume Mining SA v Katanga Contracting Services SAS … Read more

Commercial litigation podcast series – Episode 6: General update

In this sixth episode of our series of commercial litigation update podcasts, we briefly outline the impact of Brexit on disputes and dispute resolution clauses, focusing on practical points for commercial parties. We also look at some developments on privilege and funding, as well as an update on witness evidence reform, and finally we consider … Read more

Court of Appeal confirms regulations governing Damages-Based Agreements (DBAs) do not preclude terms providing for payment of time costs on termination, nor do they preclude hybrid arrangements

The Court of Appeal has confirmed that a Damages-Based Agreement, or DBA, can include a clause which entitles the legal representative to payment on a time cost basis if the DBA is terminated before the conclusion of the litigation: Zuberi v Lexlaw Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 16. DBAs, otherwise known as contingency fees, are a … Read more

Lloyds/HBOS litigation: judgment on costs and permission to appeal

The High Court has handed down judgment on costs issues and an application for permission to appeal, following on from the court’s rejection last year of the claims brought against Lloyds in a shareholder class action relating to its acquisition of HBOS in 2008: Sharp & Ors v Blank & Ors [2020] EWHC 1870 (Ch). … Read more