News - Harbour Litigation Funding

Harbour launches new credit facility with Morgan Sports Law

Morgan Sports Law, a firm specialising in sports-related disputes, has agreed a £2 million credit facility with Harbour, the world’s largest privately-owned, dedicated funder of litigation and arbitration. This facility will enable Morgan Sports Law to offer a wider range of funding options to their increasingly large client base of professional footballers. The law firm […]

IPOs begin to dominate strategies as Law firms seek out post-pandemic growth.

In a recent nationwide survey of over 200 law firm partners, 31% stated that their firm is actively considering a stock market listing in the next 12-18 months with a further 44% saying an IPO was under consideration. Coupled with this, 78% of law firm partners said their firms were either in active discussions or […]

Victory for 2.3 million customers – £600 million claim against BT given green light

The courts have approved a bid to launch a £600 million class action compensation claim against BT on behalf of over 2 million customers that it allegedly overcharged. Now Justin Le Patourel can bring the landmark case to recover hundreds of pounds for BT landline-only customers, many of whom are older and from low-income households. […]

Harbour announces £150m funding venture with Mishcon de Reya

Harbour today announced the launch of a new litigation funding venture with Mishcon de Reya called MDR Solutions I. It will be used to fund litigation and arbitration cases for Mishcon de Reya’s clients. It is the result of a strategic partnership with Mishcon de Reya, one of the largest and most successful disputes teams […]

Building a high performing team in uncertain times

Ellora MacPherson considers how to build a high performing team in an article for HR News Following recent government announcements about a return to the office after more than a year of home working, many businesses will be turning their thoughts to how they can entice employees back. Attracting, as well as retaining talent, are […]

From Trainee Solicitor to Asset Manager – Mark King Speaks to Legal Week

There are now more opportunities than ever to get into litigation funding early in your career, even when training. The traditional route of training within a law firm is no longer the only option open to aspiring trainee solicitors. There are a multitude of in-house training programmes offered by businesses that can provide trainees with […]

Great recognition for Harbour by Chambers & Partners in the 2021 Litigation Funding Rankings

Harbour remains a Band 1 funder in the UK and expands its team listings in this year’s Chambers & Partners. In rankings published this week, Harbour retains strong rankings across global jurisdictions. We remain a Band 1 funder in the UK, with one client commenting “They are probably the best funder in the UK. They […]

Harbour ranks Tier 1 in Legal 500 Litigation Funding Rankings

Harbour ranks Tier 1 in the inaugural litigation funder rankings from Legal 500. Legal 500 published it’s inaugural rankings of litigation funders on June 17 2021, and Harbour was listed as a Band 1 funder. The rankings provide an overview of the UK market including looking at current trends, key players in the market and […]

Australian Federal Court rules in favour of 15,000 seaweed farmers in the Montara oil spill class action

More than 15,000 Indonesian seaweed farmers may be compensated after oil and gas company PTTEPAA was found responsible for the devastation of their seaweed crops and livelihoods by the Montara oil spill in the Timor Sea in 2009. The central question before the Court was whether the Montara oil spill was the cause of the […]

The missing piece: class actions in the UK

Stephen O’Dowd considers the need for a generic class action regime in the UK At a time when class actions are gaining momentum around the world, and victims of mass harm have access to litigation funding and the ability to forum-shop, the UK must offer them an effective means of redress. Touching on the Hiscox […]

How can businesses turn litigation to their advantage in the current climate?

Stephen O’Dowd talks to Real Business In an article for Real Business Senior Director of Litigation Funding, Stephen O’Dowd discusses how companies at risk of collapse can use litigation funding to survive a challenging economy. While for many businesses litigation is associated with negative consequences, Stephen argues that litigation can be turned into an asset […]

Supreme Court backs Policyholders in FCA test case

The Supreme Court ruled today that insurers must pay out on business interruption policies. Ellora MacPherson, Harbour’s Chief Investment Officer comments: “Congratulations to Mishcon de Reya LLP and the Hiscox Action Group on today’s judgment from the Supreme Court. As the FCA won their appeal on the QBE policies in issue, this opens the way for the […]

Reflections on 2020

Ellora MacPherson looks back on an extraordinary year. Well, we’ve all got through it! Very soon we will close the door on 2020, an extraordinary year like no other. When Harbour moved to online working in March, as many of you did too, little did we know that in December we would still, for the […]

Q&A with Charles Jeffery, Director of Litigation Funding

Charles Jeffery joined Harbour as a Director of Litigation Funding in November 2020. Charles originates claims primarily within the insolvency market from insolvency practitioners and lawyers. After his first month we wanted to catch up with him about the insolvency market and what lies ahead for it in 2021. People talk about an increase in […]

Enforcement and asset recovery in a challenging economy

Even in the best of times it’s important to have an eye on enforcement prospects before embarking on a claim. The momentous events of 2020 have reminded us that this adage is more relevant than ever. A claimant has two key questions before embarking on costly litigation. Firstly, will your counterparty still have the means […]

Who really benefits from Big Tech antitrust enforcement?

How can consumers benefit more from competition authorities’ aggressive action against tech companies? The French competition authority’s recent €1bn fine against Apple is an eye-catching example of a trend we have been seeing for a number of years. Competition authorities are getting tough on Big Tech. But who is really benefitting from this? The European […]

Ellora MacPherson features in World Finance

Harbour’s Chief Investment Officer, Ellora MacPherson, considers how businesses can turn claims into money. In recent weeks the UK has seen a swathe of high-street staples go into, or reach the brink of, administration, as a consequence of the global pandemic. With such devastation being wrought on businesses, Ellora says “minimising costs and realising value […]

Annual Harbour Lecture: Asia Pacific at Hong Kong Arbitration Week

At this year’s annual Harbour Lecture at Hong Kong Arbitration Week, we were thrilled that Bill Wood QC of Brick Court Chambers, London and Maxwell Mediators, Singapore could join us as our guest speaker. Delivered virtually for the first time, the event attracted a viewership from both Hong Kong and around the world. It was […]

Mark King speaks to Law Dragon

Senior Director of Litigation Funding, Mark King, speaks to Law Dragon about his experience working in the litigation funding industry since he joined Harbour in 2015. Senior Director of Litigation Funding, Mark King, speaks to Law Dragon about his experience working in the litigation funding industry since he joined Harbour in 2015. In the interview, […]

Harbour is recruiting

This is a rare opportunity to bring your hard-earned experience into a dynamic and fast-growing funder. You will be integral to the way that we work, supporting the deployment and management of the USD 1.5 billion of committed capital in the Harbour funds. We are looking for experienced litigation/arbitration solicitors or barristers to join us […]

Benefits of Litigation Funding shown by insurance test case judgment says Harbour

Press Release Harbour, the litigation funder who is underwriting the policyholder groups claims against insurers in the FCA court case, says today’s judgment shows the value of their funding model. Harbour is providing litigation funding to the Hiscox Action Group and Hospitality Industry Group Action which meant hundreds of policy holders were able to join […]

Harbour retains Band 1 ranking in Chambers & Partners

We are thrilled to learn that our Investment Team has been recognised in the Litigation Support Guide UK by Chambers & Partners in Band 1 for another consecutive year, where we are acknowledged as “a very polished outfit” and for sitting in “the top tier of litigation funders”. Additionally, the team has again been recognised […]

How are law firms responding to current challenges?

In challenging times it’s understandable when businesses become introspective, but for professional advisers like law firms, much value can come from speaking with clients and sharing experiences. In our conversations with law firms and corporates over the past few weeks we have learnt many things; in particular, despite many law firms feeling under pressure, they […]

Assessing creditworthiness in a changed environment

Any claimant pursuing or considering litigation knows the environment has changed. Many defendants are facing operational challenges, and it cannot be assumed that a defendant has the financial resources to satisfy damages awarded to a claimant – many businesses are fighting to stay solvent. For existing or new claims, keeping a watching brief on the […]

Reducing uncertainty: options for defendants

With stock market volatility expected to continue for some time and a very difficult outlook for all businesses, uncertainty is the great challenge business leaders are facing.

Harbour joins Mishcon de Reya to support business interruption claim against Hiscox

Harbour has provided initial funding for Mishcon de Reya to look into the claims of the HAG (Hiscox Action Group). The HAG is a collective of Hiscox clients whose coronavirus-related business interruptions claims were rejected. The group now consists of hundreds of policyholders. Harbour’s initial funding will pay for Mishcon de Reya to review the […]

Covid-19 Update

At Harbour all our team members are working from home as their health and wellbeing, and that of our clients and friends of the firm, is our utmost priority during these uncertain times. In line with new guidelines around Covid-19, we will be undertaking all meetings via telephone or video conferencing. We would like to […]

Harbour builds its European team

Theo Paeffgen joins Harbour Litigation Funding today as a Director of Litigation Funding focusing on Continental Europe. Prior to joining Harbour, Theo was Regional Managing Director (DACH) at Vannin Capital, having acted as CEO of FORIS, a German focused litigation funder. Before moving into litigation funding, Theo qualified as German Rechtsanwalt and solicitor and advised […]

Charity Carols at Temple Church

Last night we were delighted to support the Law Works and Advocate ‘Celebrate Christmas with Carols’ concert at Temple Church. The event was a delightfully festive affair with carols, music and readings from a stellar line up including Lady Hale, President of the Supreme Court, writer Sir Michael Morpurgo, who read from an unpublished work […]

The Enforcement & Asset Recovery Landscape in 2020

On 4 December we were delighted to host an event titled ‘The Enforcement & Asset Recovery Landscape in 2020’ which considered what might be in store for the enforcement of judgments, arbitral awards and the recovery of assets in 2020 in light of political and economic developments. Moderated by Wayne Barnes of Fulcrum Chambers, our […]

Sophie Lamb QC delivers the Harbour Lecture

Harbour’s 2019 Hong Kong Arbitration Week lecture was another thought provoking thought leadership piece on the question ‘Is Arbitration sustainable?’ Addressing issues as wide ranging as diversity, use of technology, trade sanctions, climate change and the adaptability of arbitral institution rules to the demands of modern business relationships, Sophie Lamb’s lecture was a further great […]

Harbour Gala in São Paulo

Brazil remains an exciting centre of development for arbitration, and on the 23 October we were delighted to host the first Harbour Gala in São Paulo as part of Arbitration Week. The Gala centered around an informal talk show led by a panel of eminent practitioners in the field who have helped shape and develop […]

Stephen O’Dowd discusses class actions with Addleshaw Goddard

Stephen O’Dowd, Senior Director of Litigation Funding, features in the latest video from Addleshaw Goddard’s litigation finance perspectives series. In ‘The class action perspective’, Stephen shares his views on the risk management option transforming the global disputes market and considers what the future holds for class action litigation funding. To watch the video, please click […]

Harbour is proud to support the PIAC

We are proud to support the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and their valuable work in tackling difficult social problems in Australian communities. PIAC was launched in July 1982 and over the following years, pioneered public interest advocacy in Australia. PIAC has advocated for the vulnerable, been at the forefront of improving access to justice, […]

Harbour collaborates with Eversheds Sutherland

At Harbour we are committed to working in partnership, streamlining processes and providing a range of funding solutions to clients. Our collaboration with Eversheds Sutherland demonstrates this commitment by offering clients access to funding in standalone claims and a portfolio of cases. The relationship between our two firms will be led by Darrell Porter, Senior […]

Stephen O’Dowd & J-P Pitt give their views on the funding market in Australia

Harbour travelled to Australia to meet our long-term strategic partners and attend key events. Ellora MacPherson speaks to Stephen O’Dowd, Senior Director of Litigation Funding and J-P Pitt, Director of Litigation Funding about their trip and their views on the Australian market. Stephen, can you tell me if there are any trends emerging that you […]

Q & A with Tom Conlon, Sales Planning & BD Manager

Tom Conlon joined Harbour in May 2019 as Sales Planning & Business Development Manager to support the Investment Management team. Now that he’s had a chance to settle in for the past few months, we asked him more about his role and how he is enjoying it. Tom, tell me why you decided on Harbour? […]

Legal Training Contract Vacancy with Harbour

Harbour is recruiting for a trainee solicitor to start with the firm in Autumn 2019! This is an exciting opportunity for a trainee to gain their legal qualification within the unique environment of one of the largest and leading litigation funders. Please click here for further details of the role. Interested applicants should send their CV and […]

Q & A with Maurice MacSweeney, Director of Litigation Funding

Maurice MacSweeney joined Harbour in July 2019 as Director of Litigation Funding. Maurice, what first attracted you to Harbour? For me it was Harbour’s credibility and integrity. Harbour has achieved a leading position not by aggressively pursuing market share, but rather by being genuinely committed to the cases and legal teams in which they invest. […]

Harbour-funded claimant defeats jurisdictional objections in ICSID arbitration

We are pleased to announce that the ICSID tribunal in Rockhopper Italia SpA, Rockhopper Mediterranean Ltd, and Rockhopper Exploration Plc v Italian Republic (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/14) rejected Italy’s objections to jurisdiction in an interim award. We are funding Rockhopper’s claims against Italy for breaches of the investment protections provided by the Energy Charter Treaty (the ECT) in […]

One of the largest Funders of litigation and arbitration is recruiting

This is a rare opportunity to bring your hard-earned experience into a dynamic and fast-growing funder. You will be integral to the way that we work, supporting the deployment of the £760 million of capital in the Harbour Funds. We are looking for experienced litigation/arbitration solicitors or barristers to join us as Director of Litigation […]

London remains a key disputes hub

By Colin Johnson, Vice President with Charles River Associates, one of the founding members of LIDW. May 2019 marked the inaugural London International Disputes Week (LIDW) with more than 1100 delegates from 47 countries attending events over four days. The conversation around a London arbitration event began some 20 months earlier. Since similar events are […]

Harbour retains Chambers & Partners Band 1 ranking

We are pleased to learn that we have retained our Band 1 ranking in the U.K in which we are described by lawyers as having an “impeccable reputation in the marketplace.” Clients say they have “…never met a funder so involved – they work hand in glove together with clients” and another describing us as […]

Costs management, myths and making it work – Legal Business Round Table

1 June 2015 – Harbour partakes in a roundtable discussion on third-party funding.

Extracting value from litigation

In 2018, the Harbour group grew again with the addition of Harbour Solutions Group (HSG), a business designed to offer our corporate clients the problem-solving skills of a team…

The use of flexible remedies and procedures to combat fraud

Paul Lowenstein QC and Matthew McGhee, 20 Essex Street In Summer 2018, the Lord Chancellor announced that a new flagship court would be opening in London and…

Welcome to the Spring 2019 issue of Harbour View

Editor’s Note It has been a busy start to the year for Harbour as we continue to grow the team after our office move to Waterloo…

Harbour hosts networking event in new offices

After settling into our new offices on Waterloo Place, we hosted our first networking event for our close friends in the legal community enabling them to…

Paul Lowenstein QC joins Harbour’s Investment Committee

Harbour Litigation Funding announces that Paul Lowenstein QC joined the Investment Committee in January 2019. Paul is a leading commercial silk with an extensive courtroom and advisory…

Harbour has moved!

17 September 2018 – New offices for Harbour

Harbour responds to ALRC’s Class Actions Discussion Paper

30 July 2018 – Our response to the ALRC’s class actions inquiry

Harbour View Summer 2018 – Competition (r)evolution, a new dawn?

3 July 2018 – South East Asia and Australia, a new dawn?

Chambers & Partners ranks Harbour in Band 1 of litigation funders

21 May 2018

Harbour View Spring 2018 – Corporates

9 April 2018 – What your client thinks

Harbour recruits

18 June 2018

Kazakhstan Kagazy Group funded by Harbour wins $300m fraud case

8 March 2018

Launch of £350 million Harbour Fund IV

8 March 2018

Harbour team shortlisted for ‘Litigation’ award

1 March 2018

Harbour View Winter 2017/18 – Insolvency

5 January 2017 – The latest global insolvency updates

2017 ~ The year in review

20 December 2017

Mike Napier QC receives pro bono award

5 December 2017

Investigation of potential Uber class action in Melbourne

21 November 2017 – The first proposed case of its type in Australia.

Green light for the Montara oil spill class action

15 November 2017

Harbour View Autumn 2017 on ‘The next big thing’

5 October 2017 – What should the legal sector focus on next?

Arbitration, elastic or arthritic?

04 July 2017 – Two approaches in arbitration which could result in saved time and cost.

Harbour View Summer 2017 – Access to justice

30 June 2017 – The Summer 2017 edition devoted to ‘access to justice’.

Hong Kong formalises third party funding in arbitration

14 June 2017 – Hong Kong passes Bill on TPF.

Supreme Court decides on TPF in Ireland

23 May 2017 – Supreme Court of Ireland’s decision in the Sigma/Persona appeal.

Harbour View Spring 2017 on innovation

3 April 2017 – The 10th Anniversary edition.

DIFC leads the way by adopting the Practice Direction on TPF

14 March 2017 – The DIFC’s Practice Direction following public consultation.

TPF of international arbitration in Singapore now a reality

01 March 2017 – The Civil Law (Amendment) Act 2017 (the Act) came into force in Singapore.

Singapore passes Bill allowing third party funding in arbitration

10 January 2017 – Singapore passes Bill re TPF.

Harbour View Winter 2016, evolution or revolution?

9 January 2017 – Third party funding in Asia: evolution or revolution?

The Bar ~Third party funding: a necessity or ‘nice to have’?

9 December 2016 – Lucy Pert writes for the barrister magazine.

Court of Appeal decides on Excalibur

18 November 2016 – Court of Appeal hands down Excalibur decision.

The Harbour team’s upcoming visits worldwide

04 November 2016 – Harbour’s upcoming visits worldwide

A watershed moment for class action funding? A funder’s perspective

31 October 2016 – The Money Max decision reviewed.

Harbour fully geared up for HK Arbitration Week

17 October 2016 – Harbour at Hong Kong Arbitration Week

Hong Kong unlocks the gate to Third Party Funding

12 October 2016 – Hong Kong Law Reform Commission’s recommendations on third party funding in arbitration.

Harbour View Autumn 2016, a Middle East special

03 October 2016 – Litigation, arbitration and TPF developments in the Middle East

A sea-change for arbitration funding?

25 September 2016 – The possible impact of the Essar judgment.

The Annual Harbour Lectures on 12 and 19 October

20 September 2016 – The highlight in our litigation funding calendar.

Harbour Fund backs AUD$ 200m+ litigation for seaweed farmers

3 August 2016 – Large class action in Australia after oil spill.

The race to allow TPF in Asia hots up with Singapore consulting on draft litigation

28 July 2016 – Our response to Singapore’s TPF consultation.

Harbour shortlisted for ‘Insolvency Litigation Funder of the Year’

26 July 2016 – Harbour selected as finalist for the TRI Awards.

Harbour further expands its global team with senior hires

25 July 2016 – Global team expands by 40% in less than a year.

Key Supreme Court decision for litigation funding in Ireland

25 July 2016 – “Leapfrog” appeal allowed by Supreme Court.

Harbour View Summer 2016

4 July 2016 – With contributions from Mishcon de Reya and BLP.

Using costs orders to control the expense of international arbitration

9 June 2016 – The Annual Roebuck Lecture by Prof. Doug Jones.

Third-party funding in Singapore and Hong Kong

17 March 2016 – Clyde & Co speaks to Ruth Stackpool-Moore in Hong Kong.

Harbour Litigation Funding partners with JUSTICE

28 January 2016 – Harbour supports JUSTICE.

Legal Business International Arbitration Summit supported by Harbour

14 December 2015 – Key debate around arbitration in Africa and Asia.

Harbour expands team with new appointments

19 November 2015 – Doubling the team in 12 months.

Harbour celebrates office launch in Hong Kong

27 October 2015 – Harbour’s on-the-ground presence in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong endorses arbitration funding

20 October 2015 – Further information on this key development.

Harbour Fund III L.P. invests in potential class action in Australia

8 October 2015 – Investigation in a potential shareholder class action.

Harbour in Hong Kong

28 September 2015 – Ruth Stackpool-Moore appointed to lead new office.

CJC urges reform to promote a greater use of DBAs

16 September 2015 – Review of the CJC’s report to bring clarity regarding DBAs.

Class actions ~ The review

19 August 2015 – Harbour contributes to King & Wood Mallesons’ review.

ICSID tribunal refuses security for costs application

30 July 2015 – Harbour comments on this application in Eurogas and Belmont v The Slovak Republic.

Specialist financial list announced at the Commercial Court.

20 July 2015 – Harbour welcomes mechanism for authoritative guidance.

Survey shows solicitors don’t act when exceeding budgets

15 June 2015 – Survey offers insight in one of the client’s major concerns when litigating.

Costs budgeting training needed, says Lord Dyson

10 June 2015 Harbour Litigation Funding noted with interest Lord Dyson’s suggestion that lawyers may require more training to get to grips with the new regime…

Lord Neuberger’s Lecture referenced in case discussing modern status of champerty and funding

6 June 2015 – In the recent judgment in JEB Recoveries LLP v Binstock, the Judge referred frequently to Lord Neuberger’s remarks made in the inaugural…

Defective cladding class action in New Zealand

27 May 2015 – Adina Thorn of Adina Thorn Lawyers announced that the dedicated investment funds advised by Harbour Litigation Funding Limited (Harbour) will be providing…

The 3rd Annual Harbour Lecture ~ Confronting costs management

20 May 2015 – Over 150 top lawyers, barristers, judges and clerks gathered at Grays Inn Hall to hear the third Annual Harbour Lecture on “Confronting…

‘Nuggets of wisdom and navigation’ ~ The Litigation Funding Handbook

11 May 2015 “An excellent book which serves as timely overview of the entire litigation funding landscape” is the verdict of Julian Chamberlayne, a partner at…

Lord Justice Jackson to present early findings of UK research into costs budgeting at Harbour Lecture

6 May 2015 – Following his nationwide research into the operation of costs budgeting, Lord Justice Jackson will announce his preliminary findings at the Annual Harbour…

Deidre Walker at Norton Rose on the fight for London’s litigation world title

4 June 2015 – Harbour supports an article published by Deidre Walker of Norton Rose in The Lawyer calling on Londons legal community to champion IT…

Power Women Special: Susan Dunn

27 April 2015 – Following on from the City Wealth Awards, City Wealth Magazine conducted an interview with Susan Dunn, Head of Litigation Funding at Harbour…

New £230 million fund available immediately

23 March 2015 – We are delighted to announce that Harbour has a new fund of £230 million. Fund III is available immediately for international arbitration…

Leading practitioners consider future trends in litigation funding

9 February 2015 – An article from The Lawyer today poses questions on litigation funding to a panel of leading litigation and arbitration practitioners from Addleshaw…

Roadchef, the legal background to a Harbour success story

2 February 2015 – Harbour’s funding has led to a successful settlement for low paid employees who otherwise would have missed out on their entitlement under…

The appetite for litigation funding continues to grow

12 January 2015 In an article for the Law Gazette this week, Rachel Rothwell considers the outlook for 2015 for the way litigation is funded. She looks…

The Harbour Lecture

18 January 2013 – We are delighted to announce that on 8 May 2013 we will hold the inaugural Harbour Lecture at Grays Inn, London, with…