Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Litigation Funding Agreements

Tuesday 11 November 2025 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sir Julian Smith inquired about legislative proposals on litigation funding agreements.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of these agreements for access to justice and economic benefits.
  • The Minister mentioned the Civil Justice Council's review and the role of litigation funding in supporting cases like Alan Bates and the sub-postmasters.

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Questions & Answers

Context

The MP references a previous debate in Westminster Hall on third-party litigation funding, which is important for consumers, businesses, and the legal sector.

Question

Whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on litigation funding agreements. The right hon. Gentleman notes the importance of these agreements for access to justice and economic benefits, referencing the Civil Justice Council’s review recommendations and urging the Government to look seriously at opportunities for early dispute resolution mentioned in the report.

Answer from The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)

The Minister thanks Sir Julian Smith for his commitment and confirms that she is carefully considering, alongside colleagues, the Civil Justice Council’s review. She notes the importance of litigation funding in enabling cases like Alan Bates and the sub-postmasters to fund their legal actions against the Post Office. The Government acknowledges the uncertainty created by the Supreme Court judgment in the PACCAR case and is looking at an appropriate response to effectively reverse its effect, aiming to build back better with reforms that ensure access to justice and economic benefits.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific timeline for legislative proposals or commit to adopting the CJC's recommendations on early dispute resolution.

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