We are pleased to announce the launch of our new fund, and the next step in the firm’s growth. The interest we’ve had from investors is testament to the success of the business so far, the calibre of our team, and our ability to provide a great service to litigants and law firms.
LONDON, 25 MARCH 2020 – BALANCE LEGAL CAPITAL LLP, a London-based provider of litigation and arbitration finance, today announced it has raised a further US$100 million from 8 institutional investors in a new UK fund for deployment in the UK, Australia and other common law jurisdictions.
The investors in the new fund include Balance’s anchor investor, which is increasing its commitment, and 7 further global institutional investors, located across the UK, US, Switzerland and Australia. They include a university endowment fund, a European asset manager, and a global investment bank. As with Balance’s prior funding vehicle, Balance continues to have complete delegated authority over its litigation investment decisions. In addition to the discretionary capital pool, Balance has direct access to significant further co-investment capital from its investors.
Balance will use the new funds to invest in commercial litigation and arbitration proceedings with a continued focus on disputes in common law jurisdictions, particularly the UK and Australia. Balance will continue to invest across all sectors and commercial claim types including contract, tort, shareholder disputes, joint venture disputes, competition, intellectual property, class actions and more.
Robert Rothkopf, Managing Partner of Balance Legal Capital, said “We are pleased to announce the launch of our new fund, and the next step in the firm’s growth. The interest we’ve had from investors is testament to the success of the business so far, the calibre of our team, and our ability to provide a great service to litigants and law firms.”
Balance Legal Capital LLP was advised on the establishment of its new fund by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, London.
Balance Legal Capital was founded by Robert Rothkopf and Simon Burnett in 2015. It is led by a highly experienced team of litigators formerly of Herbert Smith Freehills and Freshfields. Its investment committee includes Lord David Gold (former global senior partner of Herbert Smith and head of its disputes division) and Ian Terry (former managing partner of Freshfields and global head of disputes). Fraser Shepherd (former litigation partner at Gilbert + Tobin, Sydney) and Nick Gardner (former head of Intellectual Property Litigation at Herbert Smith) are senior advisers to the investment committee.
Balance Legal Capital LLP is a member of the Association of Litigation Funders of England and Wales (ALF) where Robert Rothkopf is also a board member. Balance Legal Capital LLP is also a founder member of the Association of Litigation Funders of Australia (ALFA). Balance Legal Capital is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We are delighted to announce that Will Rowlands has been promoted to Finance Manager. This well‑deserved achievement reflects Will’s continued dedication and contribution to Balance over the past several years.
The Balance Australia team are also excited to welcome Will on secondment to our Sydney office.
We are pleased to announce that Robert Rothkopf has been appointed as a Director of the International Legal Finance Association (ILFA).
ILFA plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of legal finance globally and promoting best practices across jurisdictions. Robert will bring Balance’s experience and voice to ILFA’s mission, ensuring that the benefits of litigation finance are properly understood.
This board role adds to Balance’s leading contribution and involvement with the ILFA in the UK with Oliver Hayes in London, and in Australia with Simon Burnett in Sydney.
Topics covered ASIC and the private credit markets including the recent collapse of First Guardian, Shield and Australian Fiduciaries; what to expect from changes to Australia’s climate disclosure regime; and a discussion unpacking the Australian class action market, including insights on how funders raise and deploy capital and emerging trends in class actions.
The session brought together leading voices in the industry Sarah Johnson from The D.E. Shaw Group, Robert Marven KC, Susan Dunn from Harbour, and Nicholas Marler from Litica, expertly moderated by Elena Rey from Brown Rudnick LLP.
Two wonderful celebrations of Balance’s 10-year anniversary, one in Sydney at the Museum of Contemporary Art and another in London at the Tate Modern.
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Balance is a member of the Association of Litigation Funders of England & Wales. Our membership of the ALF requires us to satisfy on an ongoing basis stringent financial and capital adequacy tests and to comply with the ALF Code of Conduct.
Balance is a founding member of the Association of Litigation Funders of Australia, and a member of ILFA, the International Legal Finance Association.
Balance Legal Capital LLP is authorised and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.
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