Litigation funder is first UK partner of scheme to back public interest cases

Woodsford Litigation Funding has become the first UK partner in an Australian-led initiative to make it easier to undertake public interest litigation.

The scheme has been launched by Australia’s Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), which said it would work with public litigation funders from around the world to enable cases to go ahead where the risk of an adverse costs order would otherwise discourage clients from proceeding. 

Its fund would indemnify clients against risk to their assets or income in the event of being ordered to pay costs.

PIAC says it conducts litigation on public interest issues, particularly where a decision or practice affects individuals who are subject to some economic or other disadvantage.

Steven Friel, chief investment officer at Woodsford Litigation Funding, said: “Access to justice sits at the bedrock of our work.

“The principle that we should make a positive contribution to a just society is fundamental to our business. We are therefore proud to become the first litigation funding partner in the guarantee fund launched by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.”

PIAC chief executive Jonathon Hunyor said adverse costs orders were “a powerful disincentive for clients weighing up whether or not to proceed with litigation.

“We hope that this scheme will grow to support PIAC’s public interest litigation into the future, facilitating test cases that otherwise could not proceed."