Sony and Apple Challenge Litigation-Financing Agreements Amid Civil Justice Council Report and £18 Billion UK Economic Cost

Sony and Apple are set to challenge the validity of widely used litigation-financing agreements at the Court of Appeal, responding to a recent influential report that calls for urgent legislation to reverse a landmark ruling known as PACCAR. The Civil Justice Council’s final report on litigation funding recommends a 'light touch' regulation approach but primarily advocates reversing the PACCAR decision, which has significantly impacted the funding industry. An economic study highlighted in the debate warns that the rise in collective litigation could cost the UK economy up to £18 billion by undermining industrial innovation and deterring investment. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the decade-old review of litigation funding, which has been criticized as a 'gravy train for lawyers' with costs exceeding £200 million. These developments underscore the ongoing tensions surrounding litigation funding regulation and its broader economic implications in the United Kingdom.