LONDON, 10 FEBRUARY 2022 – BALANCE LEGAL CAPITAL LLP, a London-based provider of litigation and arbitration finance, today announced it has raised a further GBP 130M from 8 institutional investors in the first close for a new UK fund, bringing Balance’s total AUM to over GBP 250M. Balance is targeting Q2 2022 for a second and final close.
The investors in the new fund include repeat investors from Balance’s prior vehicles plus further global institutional investors located across the UK, US, Switzerland, the Nordics, and Australia. In addition to its discretionary capital pools, Balance has direct access to significant further co-investment capital from its investors, enabling it to fund the largest litigation budgets.
As ever, Balance has delegated authority over its litigation investment decisions. Balance will use the new funds to continue to invest in commercial disputes and class actions with a focus on disputes in common law jurisdictions (ex. USA), particularly the UK and Australia. Balance invests across all sectors and commercial claim types including contract, tort, shareholder disputes, joint venture disputes, competition, class actions and more.
Robert Rothkopf, Managing Partner of Balance Legal Capital, said “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new fund, which will further enhance our ability to support claimants and law firms in litigation proceedings. This is the second multi-investor fund we have launched in two years and demonstrates the strong demand for our capital. We’re grateful to our investors for continuing to back us in our new fund, to our high-calibre team at Balance, and to the law firms, barristers and insolvency practitioners we partner with to obtain justice for businesses and individuals.”
Balance Legal Capital LLP was advised on the establishment of its new fund by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, London.
Balance Legal Capital was founded in 2015 by Robert Rothkopf (former Herbert Smith Freehills litigator) and Simon Burnett (a former Freshfields litigator). Its investment committee includes Lord David Gold (former global senior partner of Herbert Smith and head of disputes) and Ian Terry (former managing partner of Freshfields and global head of disputes). Fraser Shepherd (former litigation partner at Gilbert + Tobin, Sydney), Donny Surtani (former litigation partner at Herbert Smith Freehills) and Nick Gardner (former head of Intellectual Property Litigation at Herbert Smith) are senior advisers to the investment committee.
Example cases funded by Balance include (1) the audit negligence claim by the Patisserie Valerie Group (in liquidation) against Grant Thornton UK LLP (solicitors – Mishcon de Reya LLP); and (2) group proceedings for vehicle owner clients of Leigh Day in the emissions claims against BMW, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen for selling diesel vehicles allegedly containing unlawful emissions defeat devices.
Balance Legal Capital LLP is a member of the Association of Litigation Funders of England and Wales (ALF) where Robert Rothkopf is a board member. Balance Legal Capital LLP is also a founder member of the Association of Litigation Funders of Australia (ALFA) where Simon Burnett is a board member. Balance Legal Capital LLP is authorised and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.
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.
As part of our 10-year anniversary celebrations, we were lucky enough to spend some time together in Bath.
.jpg)
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.
.png)
