Understanding funded judgment enforcement: Key structures explained

Chris Jeffreys: For many litigants, the hardest part isn't winning the case: It's getting paid. Enforcement is rarely straightforward. Debtors resist payment, move assets across borders or hide them altogether. For creditors, that means more capital tied up, more time spent and more frustration, which is where Burford's enforcement team often comes in.

Hannah Howlett: We help clients turn hard-to-enforce judgments and awards into real recoveries. Burford here can provide both a funding solution and, with its in-house team of litigators and investigators, provide practical expertise to maximize recovery prospects. We offer three main enforcement funding structures: fees and expenses financing, monetization, and purchase.

With fees and expenses financing, Burford funds the entire enforcement process. That means we cover the costs while the client retains full control and decision making authority.

Chris Jeffreys: Monetization is often an add-on to fees and expenses funding. As well as assuming responsibility for costs going forward, Burford will also advance a portion of the value of the judgment or award, providing immediate liquidity and locking in a guaranteed recovery.

Hannah Howlett: Finally, Burford can purchase the judgment or award and assume both the financial and day-to-day burden of the litigation.

Chris Jeffreys: In this scenario, the creditor can choose to sell their judgment or award to Burford outright. They receive certainty and immediate liquidity today, while we take on the risk and responsibility of enforcement. For judgment and award creditors, that means the option to close the chapter on a dispute and redeploy resources into their business instead of awaiting years for recovery.

Hannah Howlett: If an outright purchase isn't appropriate, Burford can acquire the judgment or award with the client retaining a backend interest in the event of success. This has the same benefits as an outright purchase, in that it allows the creditors to step back from the day-to-day running of the case and receive some immediate cash, while still sharing in future recoveries.

Chris Jeffreys: So why choose Burford? Because we bring more than just capital. We combine significant financial resources with a global team of asset recovery specialists, litigators and investigators who know how to find and recover assets across jurisdictions.

Hannah Howlett: We are the market leader in legal finance with the scale, data and expertise to deliver results. Above all, we act as a true partner, giving creditors the confidence and resources to realize value from their judgments and awards. With Burford, clients don't just win, they get paid.