Burford Capital Ltd
For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed May 7, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2025 · Filed May 7, 2025
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Item 1. Financial statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Revenues | ||
| Capital provision income/(loss) | $131,516 | $40,761 |
| Plus/(Less): Third-party interests in capital provision assets | (20,796) | (5,224) |
| Asset management income/(loss) | 1,538 | 1,863 |
| Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest | 6,787 | 6,611 |
| Other income/(loss) | (186) | 284 |
| Total revenues | 118,859 | 44,295 |
| Operating expenses | ||
| Compensation and benefits | ||
| Salaries and benefits | 12,395 | 11,657 |
| Annual incentive compensation | 4,245 | 4,836 |
| Share-based and deferred compensation | 2,799 | 3,870 |
| Long-term incentive compensation including accruals | 6,875 | 1,638 |
| General, administrative and other | 10,210 | 7,450 |
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 4,577 | 687 |
| Total operating expenses | 41,101 | 30,138 |
| Operating income/(loss) | 77,758 | 14,157 |
| Other expenses | ||
| Finance costs | 33,880 | 32,567 |
| Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses | (600) | 492 |
| Total other expenses | 33,280 | 33,059 |
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 44,478 | (18,902) |
| Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes | 7,568 | (1,404) |
| Net income/(loss) | 36,910 | (17,498) |
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 5,981 | 12,439 |
| Net income/(loss) attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders | 30,929 | (29,937) |
| Net income/(loss) attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders per ordinary share | ||
| Basic | $0.14 | ($0.14) |
| Diluted | $0.14 | ($0.14) |
| Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding | ||
| Basic | 219,299,857 | 218,933,963 |
| Diluted | 223,102,344 | 218,933,963 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
($ IN THOUSANDS)
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Net income/(loss) | $36,910 | $(17,498) |
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) | ||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | (4,029) | 1,383 |
| Comprehensive income/(loss) | 32,881 | (16,115) |
| (Plus)/Less: Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | 5,981 | 12,439 |
| Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders | 26,900 | (28,554) |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
| March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| (unaudited) | ||
| Assets | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $486,639 | $469,930 |
| Marketable securities | 83,544 | 79,020 |
| Other assets | 65,774 | 61,006 |
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 102,648 | 183,858 |
| Capital provision assets | 5,305,021 | 5,243,917 |
| Goodwill | 133,977 | 133,948 |
| Deferred tax asset | 3,202 | 3,346 |
| Total assets | 6,180,805 | 6,175,025 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Debt interest payable | 42,970 | 12,097 |
| Other liabilities | 192,660 | 141,973 |
| Long-term incentive compensation payable | 197,293 | 217,552 |
| Debt payable | 1,764,726 | 1,763,612 |
| Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets | 780,330 | 747,053 |
| Deferred tax liability | 42,245 | 35,903 |
| Total liabilities | 3,020,224 | 2,918,190 |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) | ||
| Shareholders' equity | ||
| Ordinary shares, no par value; unlimited shares authorized; 220,091,851 ordinary shares issued and 218,321,904 ordinary shares outstanding as of March 31, 2025, and 220,091,851 ordinary shares issued and 219,421,904 ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024 | 610,037 | 610,037 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 45,762 | 42,409 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 6,091 | 10,120 |
| Treasury shares; 1,769,947 ordinary shares at $14.06 cost as of March 31, 2025, and 669,947 ordinary shares at $14.28 cost as of December 31, 2024 | (24,879) | (9,569) |
| Retained earnings | 1,797,364 | 1,766,435 |
| Total Burford Capital Limited equity | 2,434,375 | 2,419,432 |
| Non-controlling interests | 726,206 | 837,403 |
| Total shareholders' equity | 3,160,581 | 3,256,835 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 6,180,805 | 6,175,025 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ IN THOUSANDS)
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
| Net income/(loss) | $36,910 | $(17,498) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities: | ||
| Capital provision income/(loss) | (131,516) | (40,761) |
| (Income)/loss on marketable securities | (2,268) | (1,010) |
| Other (income)/loss | 186 | (284) |
| Share-based and deferred compensation | 3,353 | 3,863 |
| Deferred tax (benefit)/expense | 6,272 | (5,232) |
| Other | 1,240 | 1,970 |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | 371,054 | 247,561 |
| (Deployment) to capital provision assets | (216,476) | (125,403) |
| Net proceeds from/(funding of) marketable securities | (2,243) | 5,686 |
| Proceeds from/(payments of) other income | (332) | 217 |
| (Increase)/decrease in other assets | (6,105) | (200) |
| Increase/(decrease) in other liabilities | 61,818 | (21,176) |
| Net increase/(decrease) on financial liability to third-party investment | 33,277 | 5,230 |
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | 155,170 | 52,963 |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (24) | (43) |
| Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities | (24) | (43) |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
| Debt issuance, including original issue premium | — | 284,969 |
| Debt issuance costs | — | (6,283) |
| Debt extinguishment | (6,682) | — |
| Acquisition of ordinary shares held in treasury | (15,310) | (4,378) |
| Third-party net capital contribution/(distribution) | (117,178) | (64,896) |
| Net cash provided/(used) by financing activities | (139,170) | 209,412 |
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 15,976 | 262,332 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 469,930 | 220,549 |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 733 | (208) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 486,639 | 482,673 |
The table below sets forth supplemental disclosures to our statement of consolidated cash flows.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Cash received from interest and dividend income | $4,763 | $5,569 |
| Cash paid for debt interest | (1,914) | (24,526) |
| Cash received from income tax refund | — | 98 |
| Cash paid for income taxes | (427) | (384) |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
| Shares · Amount | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinaryshares | Treasuryshares | Ordinaryshares | Treasuryshares | Additionalpaid-incapital | Retainedearnings | Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincome/(loss) | Total BurfordCapital Limitedequity | Non-controllinginterests | Totalshareholders’equity | |
| Beginning of period | 220,091,851 | (669,947) | $610,037 | $(9,569) | $42,409 | $1,766,435 | $10,120 | $2,419,432 | $837,403 | $3,256,835 |
| Net income/(loss) | — | — | — | — | — | 30,929 | — | 30,929 | 5,981 | 36,910 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | — | (4,029) | (4,029) | — | (4,029) |
| Acquisition of ordinary shares held in treasury | — | (1,100,000) | — | (15,310) | — | — | — | (15,310) | — | (15,310) |
| Share-based and deferred compensation | — | — | — | — | 3,353 | — | — | 3,353 | — | 3,353 |
| Third-party net capital contribution/(distribution) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (117,178) | (117,178) |
| End of period | 220,091,851 | (1,769,947) | 610,037 | (24,879) | 45,762 | 1,797,364 | 6,091 | 2,434,375 | 726,206 | 3,160,581 |
| Shares · Amount | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinaryshares | Treasuryshares | Ordinaryshares | Treasuryshares | Additionalpaid-incapital | Retainedearnings | Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincome/(loss) | Total BurfordCapital Limitedequity | Non-controllinginterests | Totalshareholders’equity | |
| Beginning of period | 219,313,388 | (350,947) | $602,238 | $(4,479) | $36,545 | $1,649,242 | $7,312 | $2,290,858 | $916,922 | $3,207,780 |
| Net income/(loss) | — | — | — | — | — | (29,937) | — | (29,937) | 12,439 | (17,498) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,383 | 1,383 | — | 1,383 |
| Issuance of new ordinary shares to satisfy vested share-based awards | 2,640 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Acquisition of ordinary shares held in treasury | — | (291,591) | — | (4,378) | — | — | — | (4,378) | — | (4,378) |
| Share-based and deferred compensation | — | — | — | — | 3,863 | — | — | 3,863 | — | 3,863 |
| Third-party net capital contribution/(distribution) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (64,896) | (64,896) |
| End of period | 219,316,028 | (642,538) | 602,238 | (8,857) | 40,408 | 1,619,305 | 8,695 | 2,261,789 | 864,465 | 3,126,254 |
- Organization
Burford Capital Limited (the “Company”) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively with the Company, the “Group”) provide legal finance products and services and are engaged in the asset management business.
The Company was incorporated as a company limited by shares under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, as amended, on September 11, 2009. The Company has a single class of ordinary shares, which commenced trading on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange, in October 2009 and on the New York Stock Exchange in October 2020, in each case, under the symbol “BUR”. The Company’s subsidiaries have issued bonds that are traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and unregistered senior notes in private placement transactions pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
- Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of March 31, 2025, and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as well as in accordance with US GAAP and reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the results for the interim period. Certain disclosures included in the Group’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, contained in the 2024 Form 10-K have been condensed in, or omitted from, the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2025, and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, contained in this Form 10-Q. The Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2025 and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, should be read in conjunction with the Group’s audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained in the 2024 Form 10-K.
Use of estimates
The preparation of the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Such estimates include, among others, the valuation of capital provision assets, which requires the use of Level 3 valuation inputs, and other financial instruments, the measurement of deferred tax balances (including valuation allowances) and the accounting for goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material.
Consolidation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of (i) the Company, (ii) its wholly owned or majority owned subsidiaries, (iii) the consolidated entities that are considered to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and for which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary and (iv) certain entities that are not considered VIEs but that the Company controls through a majority voting interest.
In connection with private funds and other related entities where the Group does not own 100% of the relevant entity, the Group makes judgments about whether it is required to consolidate such entities by applying the factors set forth in US GAAP for VIEs or voting interest entities under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810—Consolidation.
VIEs are entities that, by design, either (i) lack sufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, (ii) have equity investors that (A) do not have the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights, (B) do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses or (C) do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity or (iii) have equity investors’ voting rights that are not proportional to the economics, and substantially all of the activities of the entity either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. An entity is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE if such entity has both (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the right to receive benefits from the VIE or the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
In determining whether the Group is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Group considers both qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the nature, size and form of its involvement with the VIE, such as its role establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities, the design of the VIE, its economic interests, servicing fees and servicing responsibilities and certain other factors. The Group performs ongoing reassessments to evaluate whether changes in the entity’s capital structure or changes in the nature of the Group’s involvement with the entity result in a change to the VIE designation or a change to the Group’s consolidation conclusion.
The most significant judgments relate to the assessment of the Group’s exposure or rights to variable returns in Burford Opportunity Fund C LP (“BOF-C”), Burford Advantage Master Fund LP (the “Advantage Fund”), Colorado Investments Limited (“Colorado”) and Eton Park Fund LP, Eton Park Overseas Fund Limited and Eton Park Master Fund Limited ("EP Funds"). The Group has assessed that its economic interest in the income generated from BOF-C and its investment as a limited partner in the Advantage Fund, coupled with its power over the relevant activities as the fund manager, require the consolidation of BOF-C and the Advantage Fund in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Similarly, the Group has assessed that its shareholding in Colorado and investment in the EP Funds, coupled with its power over the relevant activities of those entities through contractual agreements, require the consolidation of Colorado and the EP Funds in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
The Group is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in VIEs in which it is the primary beneficiary and in other entities in which it owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares and other shareholders do not have substantive rights to participate in management. The assets of these consolidated VIEs are not available to the Company, and the creditors of these consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the Company.
For entities the Group controls but does not wholly own, the Group generally records a non-controlling interest within shareholders’ equity for the portion of the entity’s equity attributed to the non-controlling ownership interests. Accordingly, third-party share of net income or loss relating to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities is treated as a reduction or increase, respectively, of net income or loss in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. With respect to Colorado and the EP Funds, entities the Group controls but does not wholly own, the Group records a financial liability within financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets for the portion of Colorado’s and the EP Funds' equity held by third parties. The third-party share of income or loss is included in third-party interests in capital provision assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. All significant intercompany balances, transactions and unrealized gains and losses on such transactions are eliminated on consolidation.
Third-party interests in capital provision assets
Third-party interests in capital provision assets include the financial liability relating to third-party interests in Colorado and the EP Funds as well as financial liabilities relating to third-party interests resulting from capital provision asset subparticipations recognized at fair value. Colorado holds a single financial asset and does not have any other business activity. Substantially all the assets of the EP Funds are concentrated as a single asset with no other business activity. Accordingly, Colorado and the EP Funds do not meet the definition of a business and the third-party interests are accounted for as a collateralized borrowing rather than non-controlling interests in shareholders’ equity. Amounts included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition represent the fair value of the third-party interests in the related capital provision assets, and the amounts included in the consolidated statements of operations represent the third-party share of any gain or loss during the reporting period. Gains in the underlying capital provision asset result in increased financial liabilities to third-party interests in capital provision assets in the consolidated statement of financial condition and negative adjustments in the consolidated statement of operations, presented as “(Less): Third-party interests in capital provision assets”. Conversely, losses in the underlying capital provision asset result in decreased financial liabilities to third-party interests in capital provision assets in the consolidated statement of financial condition and positive adjustments in the consolidated statement of operations, presented as “Plus: Third-party interests in capital provision assets”.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications of the amounts for the prior periods have been made to conform to the presentation of the current period, such as incorporating the deferred compensation expense from the "Salaries and benefits" line item into the "Share-based and deferred compensation" line item. This reclassification has no effect on previously reported results of operations or total shareholders’ equity.
Fair value of financial instruments
The Group’s capital provision assets meet the definition of a financial instrument under ASC 825—Financial instruments. Single case, portfolio, portfolio with equity risk and legal risk management capital provision assets meet the definition of a derivative instrument under ASC 815—Derivatives and hedging and are accounted for at fair value.
To provide a consistent fair value measurement approach for all capital provision related activity, the Group has elected the fair value option for the Group’s equity method investments, marketable securities, due from settlement of capital provision assets and financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets. Such election is irrevocable and is applied to financial instruments on an individual basis at initial recognition.
Financial instruments are recorded at fair value. The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions.
Fair value hierarchy
US GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework that prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors including the type of financial instrument, the characteristics specific to the financial instrument and the state of the marketplace, including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices in active markets generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.
Financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed based on the observability of inputs used in the determination of fair values as follows:
Level 1—quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date
Level 2—inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly
Level 3—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability
All transfers into and out of these levels are recognized as if they have taken place as of the beginning of each reporting period.
Valuation processes
The Group’s senior professionals are responsible for developing the policies and procedures for fair value measurement of assets and liabilities. Following origination and as of each reporting date, the movements in the values of assets and liabilities are required to be reassessed in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies. For this analysis, the reasonableness of material estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation is discussed and the major inputs applied are verified by comparing the information in the valuation computation to contracts, asset status and progress information and other relevant documents.
Valuation methodology for Level 1 assets and liabilities
Level 1 assets and liabilities are comprised of listed instruments, including equities, fixed income securities and investment funds. All Level 1 assets and liabilities are valued at the quoted market price as of the reporting date.
Valuation methodology for Level 2 assets and liabilities
Level 2 assets and liabilities are comprised of debt and equity securities that are not actively traded and are generally valued at the last quoted or traded price as of the reporting date, provided there is evidence that the price is not assessed as significantly stale to warrant a Level 3 classification.
Valuation methodology for Level 3 assets and liabilities
Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants based on unobservable inputs as of the measurement date.
The methods and procedures to determine fair value of assets and liabilities may include, among others, (i) obtaining information provided by third parties when available, (ii) obtaining valuation-related information from the issuers or counterparties (or their respective advisors), (iii) performing comparisons of comparable or similar assets or liabilities, as applicable, (iv) calculating the present value of future cash flows, (v) assessing other analytical data and information relating to the asset or liability, as applicable, that is an indication of value, (vi) evaluating financial information provided by or otherwise available with respect to the counterparties or other relevant entities and (vii) entering into a market transaction with an arm’s-length counterparty.
The material estimates and assumptions used in the analyses of fair value include the status and risk profile of the underlying asset or liability and, as applicable, the timing and expected amount of cash flows based on the structure and agreement of the asset or liability, the appropriateness of any discount rates used and the timing of and estimated minimum proceeds from a favorable outcome. Discount rates and a discounted cash flow basis for estimating fair value are applied to assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as applicable, most notably the Group’s capital provision assets. Significant judgment and estimation go into the assumptions that underlie the analyses, and the actual values realized with respect to assets or liabilities, as applicable, could be materially different from values obtained based on the use of those estimates.
Capital provision assets are fair valued using an income approach. The income approach estimates fair value based on estimated, risk-adjusted future cash flows, using a discount rate to reflect the funding risk of deploying capital for financing capital provision assets. The income approach requires management to make a series of assumptions, such as discount rate, the timing and amount of both expected cash inflows and additional financings and a risk-adjustment factor reflecting the uncertainty inherent in the cash flows primarily driven by litigation risk, which change as a result of observable litigation events. These assumptions are considered unobservable Level 3 inputs that reflect the Company's own assumptions about the inputs that a market participant would use.
A cash flow forecast is developed for each capital provision asset based on the anticipated financing commitments, damages or settlement estimates and the Group’s contractual entitlement. Cash flow forecasts incorporate management’s assumptions related to creditworthiness of the counterparty and collectability. In cases where cash flows are denominated in a foreign currency, forecasts are developed in the applicable foreign currency and translated to US dollars.
Capital provision assets are recorded at initial fair value, which is equivalent to the initial transaction price for a given capital provision asset, based on an assessment that it is an arm’s-length transaction between independent third parties and an orderly transaction between market participants. Using the cash flow forecast and a discount rate, an appropriate risk-adjustment factor is calculated to be applied to the forecast cash inflows to calibrate the valuation model to the initial transaction price. Each reporting period, the cash flow forecast is updated based on the best available information on damages or settlement estimates and it is determined whether there has been an objective event in the underlying litigation process, which would change the litigation risk and thus the risk-adjustment factor associated with the capital provision asset. The risk-adjustment factor as adjusted for any objective events in the underlying litigation process is referred to as the adjusted risk premium. For example, assume the risk premium at inception is calculated to be 65%, which is held constant until there is a milestone event. Assuming there is a favorable trial court ruling one year later for which the applicable milestone factor is 50%, then the risk premium would be adjusted to 32.5%, effectively releasing 50% of the original 65% risk premium haircut that was applied. Conversely, assuming there is a negative event one year later for which the applicable milestone factor is (50%) then the risk premium would be adjusted to 82.5%, effectively closing the gap between the original risk premium of 65% and 100% by 50%. These objective events could include, among others:
A significant positive ruling or other objective event prior to any trial court judgment
A favorable trial court judgment
A favorable judgment on the first appeal
The exhaustion of as-of-right appeals
In arbitration cases, where there are limited opportunities for appeal, issuance of a tribunal award
An objective negative event at various stages in the litigation process
Each reporting period, the updated risk-adjusted cash flow forecast is discounted at the then current discount rate to measure fair value. See note 11 (Fair value of assets and liabilities) for additional information.
In a small number of instances, the Group has the benefit of a secondary sale of a portion of an asset or liability. When this occurs, the market evidence is factored into the valuation process to maximize the use of relevant observable inputs. Secondary sales are evaluated for relevance, including whether such transactions are orderly, and weight is attributed to the market price accordingly, which may include calibrating the valuation model to observed market price.
Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires additional detail to be included with a company’s annual income tax disclosures to enhance transparency and decision usefulness. The Group adopted ASU 2023-09 on January 1, 2025, effective on a prospective basis, and is currently evaluating the incremental income tax disclosures which will be included in the Group’s 2025 Form 10-K.
- Income taxes
The Company was recently granted an exemption from corporate income tax in Guernsey under the Income Tax (Exempt Bodies) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1989, as amended, for the year ending December 31, 2025. This tax exemption must be reapplied for with the Guernsey taxing authorities on an annual basis.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries in Australia, Ireland, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States are subject to taxation in such jurisdictions as determined in accordance with relevant tax legislation. In certain cases, an operating subsidiary of the Company may elect a transaction structure that could be subject to income tax in a country related to the transaction creating the capital provision asset.
The Group's effective tax rate was 17% and 7% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The variability in the Group’s effective tax rate from period to period reflects the differing portions of the Group’s overall income and losses reported to each relevant taxing jurisdiction, and the differing tax rates in effect for such taxing jurisdictions at which such income and losses are taxed. Another significant factor in the determination of the effective tax rate is the change in the Group’s valuation allowance against its deferred tax asset, largely arising from currently nondeductible interest expense.
The table below sets forth the gross deferred tax assets and liabilities, valuation allowance and net deferred tax liabilities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross deferred tax assets | $78,097 | $74,201 |
| Gross deferred tax liabilities | (78,629) | (71,932) |
| Valuation allowance | (38,511) | (34,826) |
| Net deferred tax liabilities | (39,043) | (32,557) |
The Group’s valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets primarily relates to interest expense, foreign net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. The Group, in determining its valuation allowance for its deferred assets, has performed an assessment of positive and negative evidence, including the nature, frequency and severity of cumulative financial reporting losses in recent years; and the future reversal of existing temporary differences, predictability of future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences of the character necessary to realize the tax assets, relevant carryforward periods, taxable income in carryback periods if carryback is permitted under applicable tax laws and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies that would be implemented, if necessary, to protect against the loss of certain deferred tax assets that would otherwise expire (e.g., net operating losses). Although realization is not assured, based on the Group’s assessment, the Group has concluded that it is more likely than not that the remaining gross deferred tax assets will be realized and, as such, no additional valuation allowance has been provided.
The calculation of the Group’s global tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of case law, complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of taxing jurisdictions across the Group’s global operations. ASC 740 states that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position shall be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. In accordance with the guidelines established by ASC 740, the Group believes it does not have any uncertain tax positions for either the three months ended March 31, 2025, or for any prior tax year which currently remains open under an applicable statute of limitations in the corresponding taxing jurisdiction. The Group continues to monitor its global tax positions and, if necessary, updates its position under ASC 740 regarding any uncertain tax positions based on any relevant case law, tax law and regulatory developments in an applicable taxing jurisdiction. The Group is not currently subject to audit by any tax authority. Certain affiliates of the Group file a US federal income tax return, along with various state and local income tax returns, which are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities for the years 2021 and onwards.
- Segment reporting
ASC Subtopic 280-10, “Segment Reporting”, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available. The chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, collectively.
The CODM assesses the performance of the operating segments based on segment income/(loss) before income taxes which consists of the significant measures of the reportable segments’ financial performance that includes segment revenues, consisting of capital provision income plus/less third-party interests in capital provision income, asset management income, marketable securities income and interest and other income, less segment expenses, consisting of compensation and benefits, case related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost and general, administrative and other expenses. The CODM uses this metric to assess operating segment performance, for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance, which informs the CODMs allocation of resources. The Group excludes the proportional operating results that are attributable to third-party limited partners in our private funds, partners and minority investors, as the CODM does not consider them for the purposes of making decisions to allocate resources among segments or to assess segment performance. Although these amounts are excluded from segment income/(loss) before income taxes, they are included in reported consolidated income/(loss) before income taxes and are included in the reconciliation that follows.
The Group’s computation of segment income/(loss) before income taxes may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures computed by other companies because they do not all calculate segment income/(loss) before income taxes in the same fashion.
Operating revenues directly associated with each segment are included in determining its operating results. Operating and other expenses that are not directly attributable to a particular segment are based upon allocation methodologies, including time estimates and other relevant usage measures. Due to the integrated structure of the Group’s business, certain costs incurred by one segment may benefit the other segment. A segment may use the information produced by another segment without incurring an intersegment charge or an intersegment income.
The CODM does not review information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis but rather on a total segments (Burford-only) basis. The accounting policies for segment reporting are the same as for the Group as a whole.
The Group hastwo operating segments that are also its reportable segments and provide legal finance products and services to its clients: (i) Principal Finance and (ii) Asset Management and Other Services. The Principal Finance segment allocates capital to legal finance assets from Burford’s balance sheet, primarily as capital provision assets, and in limited scope through interests in private funds managed by Burford. The Asset Management and Other Services segment manages legal finance assets on behalf of third-party investors, and Burford provides other services to the legal industry for both of which it receives fees.
Beginning for the year ended December 31, 2024, the Group renamed its Capital Provision segment to Principal Finance and allocated revenue, expenses and assets from other corporate to the Group’stwo reportable segments with no change to the Group’s total segments (Burford-only) numbers. The change in our allocation methodology as of December 31, 2024, was due to the amounts relating to these operating and non-operating activities previously presented as other corporate forming part of what is used internally to measure and evaluate the performance of the reportable segments. As a result of this change, the Group also recast certain previously reported amounts to conform with the change in allocation of revenue, expenses and assets to each reportable segment as noted below.
The tables below set forth certain information with respect to the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations by reportable segment for the periods indicated.
| Reconciliation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Principal Finance | AssetManagement and Other Services | Totalsegments(Burford-only) | Reconciling items(1) | Totalconsolidated |
| Capital provision income/(loss) | $90,950 | $— | $90,950 | $40,566 | $131,516 |
| Plus/(Less): Third-party interests in capital provision assets | — | — | — | (20,796) | (20,796) |
| Asset management income/(loss) | — | 13,837 | 13,837 | (12,299) | 1,538 |
| Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest | 6,700 | — | 6,700 | 87 | 6,787 |
| Other income/(loss) | — | (186) | (186) | — | (186) |
| Total revenues | 97,650 | 13,651 | 111,301 | 7,558 | 118,859 |
| Compensation and benefits | 21,062 | 5,252 | 26,314 | — | 26,314 |
| General, administrative and other | 8,312 | 1,808 | 10,120 | 90 | 10,210 |
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 3,089 | — | 3,089 | 1,488 | 4,577 |
| Operating expenses | 32,463 | 7,060 | 39,523 | 1,578 | 41,101 |
| Other expenses | |||||
| Finance costs | 33,880 | — | 33,880 | — | 33,880 |
| Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses | (599) | — | (599) | (1) | (600) |
| Total other expenses | 33,281 | — | 33,281 | (1) | 33,280 |
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 31,906 | 6,591 | 38,497 | 5,981 | 44,478 |
| 1. Reconciling items include the proportional operating results that are attributable to third-party limited partners and minority investors in consolidated entities, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities. | |||||
| Reconciliation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Principal Finance | AssetManagement and Other Services | Totalsegments(Burford-only) | Reconciling items(1) | Totalconsolidated |
| Capital provision income/(loss) | $17,903 | $— | $17,903 | $22,858 | $40,761 |
| Plus/(Less): Third-party interests in capital provision assets | — | — | — | (5,224) | (5,224) |
| Asset management income/(loss) | — | 6,673 | 6,673 | (4,810) | 1,863 |
| Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest | 6,518 | — | 6,518 | 93 | 6,611 |
| Other income/(loss) | — | 284 | 284 | — | 284 |
| Total revenues | 24,421 | 6,957 | 31,378 | 12,917 | 44,295 |
| Compensation and benefits | 18,102 | 3,899 | 22,001 | — | 22,001 |
| General, administrative and other | 6,013 | 1,104 | 7,117 | 333 | 7,450 |
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 546 | — | 546 | 141 | 687 |
| Operating expenses | 24,661 | 5,003 | 29,664 | 474 | 30,138 |
| Other expenses | |||||
| Finance costs | 32,567 | — | 32,567 | — | 32,567 |
| Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses | 488 | — | 488 | 4 | 492 |
| Total other expenses | 33,055 | — | 33,055 | 4 | 33,059 |
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | (33,295) | 1,954 | (31,341) | 12,439 | (18,902) |
| 1. Reconciling items include the proportional operating results that are attributable to third-party limited partners and minority investors in consolidated entities, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities. | |||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Group recast $6.5 million of marketable securities income/(loss) and interest, $2.8 million of operating expenses, $0.9 million of finance costs and $0.5 million of foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses from other corporate to its Principal Finance segment. In addition, the Group also recast $2.9 million of operating expenses from other corporate to its Asset Management and Other Services segment and $0.6 million of finance costs from Asset Management and Other Services segment to its Principal Finance segment.
The table below sets forth specified line items with respect to the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition by reportable segment as of the dates indicated.
| Reconciliation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Principal Finance | AssetManagement and Other Services | Totalsegments(Burford-only) | Reconciling items(1) | Totalconsolidated |
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $538,374 | $9,834 | $548,208 | $21,975 | $570,183 |
| Other assets | $26,911 | $160,740 | $187,651 | $(121,877) | $65,774 |
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | $102,648 | $— | $102,648 | $— | $102,648 |
| Capital provision assets | $3,627,403 | $— | $3,627,403 | $1,677,618 | $5,305,021 |
| Total assets | $4,406,530 | $196,560 | $4,603,089 | $1,577,716 | $6,180,805 |
| 1. Reconciling items include the proportional operating results that are attributable to third-party limited partners and minority investors in consolidated entities, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities. | |||||
| Reconciliation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Principal Finance | AssetManagement and Other Services | Totalsegments(Burford-only) | Reconciling items(1) | Totalconsolidated |
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $508,031 | $12,650 | $520,681 | $28,269 | $548,950 |
| Other assets | $23,711 | $151,770 | $175,481 | $(114,475) | $61,006 |
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | $183,651 | $— | $183,651 | $207 | $183,858 |
| Capital provision assets | $3,571,224 | $— | $3,571,224 | $1,672,693 | $5,243,917 |
| Total assets | $4,397,954 | $190,377 | $4,588,331 | $1,586,694 | $6,175,025 |
| 1. Reconciling items include the proportional operating results that are attributable to third-party limited partners and minority investors in consolidated entities, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities. | |||||
- Capital provision assets
Capital provision assets are financial instruments that relate to the provision of capital in connection with legal finance, which includes the Advantage Fund.
The table below sets forth the changes in capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of the relevant reporting periods.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Beginning of period | $5,243,917 | $5,045,388 |
| Deployments | 216,476 | 125,403 |
| Realizations | (288,848) | (112,971) |
| Income/(loss) for the period | 125,568 | 44,161 |
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 7,908 | (5,174) |
| End of period | 5,305,021 | 5,096,807 |
| Deployed cost, end of period | 2,268,825 | 2,338,056 |
| Unrealized fair value, end of period | 3,036,196 | 2,758,751 |
| Total capital provision assets | 5,305,021 | 5,096,807 |
The table below sets forth the components of the capital provision income/(loss) for the periods indicated.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Net realized gains/(losses) | $67,619 | $57,862 |
| Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 57,949 | (13,701) |
| Income/(loss) on capital provision assets | 125,568 | 44,161 |
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 5,410 | (4,202) |
| Net income/(loss) from due from settlement of capital provision assets | 652 | 802 |
| Other income/(loss) | (114) | — |
| Total capital provision income as reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations | 131,516 | 40,761 |
Exchange differences arising from capital provision assets denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity in which such capital provision assets are held are recognized in capital provision income/(loss) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. All other foreign exchange translation differences arising from capital provision assets held by non-US dollar functional currency entities are recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The currency of the primary economic environment in which the Group’s entity operates is referred to as the “functional currency” of the Group’s entity.
- Due from settlement of capital provision assets
Amounts due from settlement of capital provision assets relate to the realization of capital provision assets that have successfully concluded and where there is no longer any litigation risk remaining. The settlement terms and timing of realizations vary by capital provision asset. The majority of settlement balances are received shortly after the respective period ends in which the capital provision assets have concluded, and settlement balances are generally expected to be received within 12 months after the capital provision assets have concluded.
The table below sets forth the changes in due from settlement of capital provision assets and the breakdown between current and non-current due from settlement of capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of the relevant reporting periods.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Beginning of period | $183,858 | $265,540 |
| Transfer of realizations from capital provision assets | 288,848 | 112,971 |
| Other income/(loss) | 652 | 802 |
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | (371,054) | (247,561) |
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 344 | (64) |
| End of period | 102,648 | 131,688 |
| Current assets | 89,774 | 129,288 |
| Non-current assets | 12,874 | 2,400 |
| Total due from settlement of capital provision assets | 102,648 | 131,688 |
- Asset management income
The table below sets forth the components of the asset management income for the periods indicated.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Management fee income | $1,538 | $1,863 |
| Performance fee income | — | — |
| Total asset management income(1) | 1,538 | 1,863 |
| 1. Relates to revenue from contracts with customers for services transferred over time. | ||
- Long-term incentive compensation payable
The table below sets forth the changes in the long-term incentive compensation payable as of the beginning and end of the relevant reporting periods.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Beginning of period | $217,552 | $183,134 |
| Long-term incentive compensation including accruals | 6,875 | 1,638 |
| Cash paid | (27,701) | (4,482) |
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 567 | (214) |
| End of period | 197,293 | 180,076 |
- Other liabilities
The table below sets forth the components of total other liabilities as of the dates indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| General expenses payable | $53,463 | $66,966 |
| Insurance liabilities | 22,198 | 21,991 |
| Lease liabilities | 14,518 | 14,821 |
| Audit fees payable | 2,344 | 2,996 |
| Tax payable | 23,586 | 21,144 |
| Payable for capital provision assets | 6,470 | 14,055 |
| Derivative liabilities | 114 | — |
| Contingent fees | 69,967 | — |
| Total other liabilities | 192,660 | 141,973 |
- Debt
The table below sets forth certain information with respect to the Group’s debt securities outstanding as of the dates indicated. Debt securities denominated in pound sterling have been converted to US dollar using GBP/USD exchange rates of $1.2910 and $1.2529 as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
| Outstanding as of · Carrying value (at amortized cost) as of · Fair value(1) as of | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | March 31,2025 | March 31,2025 | December 31,2024 | March 31,2025 | December 31,2024 |
| Burford Capital Finance LLC | |||||
| 6.125% Bonds due August 12, 2025(2) | $122,786 | $122,700 | $129,275 | $123,075 | $129,641 |
| Burford Capital PLC | |||||
| 5.000% Bonds due December 1, 2026(3) | $225,925 | $225,372 | $218,640 | $221,714 | $212,706 |
| Burford Capital Global Finance LLC | |||||
| 6.250% Senior Notes due April 15, 2028 | $400,000 | $396,224 | $395,913 | $398,452 | $399,012 |
| 6.875% Senior Notes due April 15, 2030 | $360,000 | $353,294 | $352,961 | $356,659 | $360,220 |
| 9.250% Senior Notes due July 1, 2031 | $675,000 | $667,136 | $666,823 | $712,820 | $717,748 |
| Total debt | $1,783,711 | $1,764,726 | $1,763,612 | $1,812,720 | $1,819,327 |
| 1. The Group’s outstanding indebtedness is held at amortized cost in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and these values represent the fair value equivalent amounts. The Group’s debt securities are classified as Level 2 with in the fair value hierarchy. | |||||
| 2. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, Burford Capital Finance LLC purchased in open market transactions approximately $6.6 million of the 2025 Bonds (as defined below). See “—Purchases of 2025 Bonds” for additional information with respect to the purchases of the 2025 Bonds. | |||||
| 3. On June 1, 2017, Burford Capital PLC issued £175.0 million ($225.8 million) aggregate principal amount of 5.000% notes due 2026. | |||||
The table below sets forth unamortized issuance costs of the outstanding debt securities as of the dates indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 6.125% Bonds due 2025 | $86 | $157 |
| 5.000% Bonds due 2026 | 553 | 618 |
| 6.250% Senior Notes due 2028 | 3,776 | 4,087 |
| 6.875% Senior Notes due 2030 | 4,986 | 5,234 |
| 9.250% Senior Notes due 2031 | 11,846 | 12,319 |
The table below sets forth the components of total finance costs of the outstanding indebtedness for the periods indicated.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| (S in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Debt interest expense | $32,772 | $31,440 |
| Debt issuance costs incurred as finance costs | 1,108 | 1,127 |
| Total finance costs | 33,880 | 32,567 |
Description of debt securities
All of the Group’s outstanding debt securities have a fixed interest rate payable semi-annually in arrears and are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the respective issuer that are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and certain of its wholly owned indirect subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2025, the Group was in compliance with the covenants set forth in the respective agreements governing its debt securities.
The Company is required to provide certain information pursuant to the indentures governing the 6.250% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”), the 6.875% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”) and the 9.250% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”). The tables below set forth the total assets and third-party indebtedness as of the dates indicated and total revenues for the periods indicated, in each case, of (i) the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes, the 2030 Notes and the 2031 Notes, as applicable) and (ii) the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes, the 2030 Notes and the 2031 Notes, as applicable).
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries | ||
| Total assets | $5,450,178 | $5,335,289 |
| Third-party indebtedness | 1,764,726 | 1,763,612 |
| Unrestricted Subsidiaries | ||
| Total assets | 730,627 | 839,736 |
| Third-party indebtedness | — | — |
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| (S in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries | ||
| Total revenues | $110,791 | $33,140 |
| Unrestricted Subsidiaries | ||
| Total revenues | 8,068 | 11,155 |
Purchases of 2025 Bonds
During the three months ended March 31, 2025, Burford Capital Finance LLC, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company, purchased in open market transactions and cancelled approximately $6.6 million in aggregate principal amount of the 6.125% Bonds due 2025 (the “2025 Bonds”), which resulted in a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $0.03 million.
- Fair value of assets and liabilities
The tables below set forth the fair value of financial instruments grouped by the fair value level as of the dates indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets: | ||||
| Capital provision assets | ||||
| Derivative financial assets | ||||
| Single case | $— | $— | $756,442 | $756,442 |
| Portfolio | — | — | 3,099,848 | 3,099,848 |
| Portfolio with equity risk | — | — | 74,222 | 74,222 |
| Legal risk management | — | — | 7,197 | 7,197 |
| Non-derivative financial assets | ||||
| Joint ventures and equity method investments | — | — | 157,435 | 157,435 |
| Single case with equity risk | 6,136 | — | — | 6,136 |
| Assets of consolidated investment companies | ||||
| Core legal finance (BOF-C) | 6,386 | — | 679,101 | 685,487 |
| Core legal finance (EP Funds) | — | — | 410,204 | 410,204 |
| Lower risk legal finance (Advantage Fund) | — | — | 108,050 | 108,050 |
| Total capital provision assets | 12,522 | — | 5,292,499 | 5,305,021 |
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | — | — | 102,648 | 102,648 |
| Marketable securities | ||||
| Government securities | — | 48,524 | — | 48,524 |
| Corporate bonds | — | 19,155 | — | 19,155 |
| Asset-backed securities | — | 1,536 | — | 1,536 |
| Mutual funds | 8,298 | — | — | 8,298 |
| Certificates of deposit | 6,031 | — | — | 6,031 |
| Total assets | 26,851 | 69,215 | 5,395,147 | 5,491,213 |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets | — | — | 780,330 | 780,330 |
| Total liabilities | — | — | 780,330 | 780,330 |
| Net total | 26,851 | 69,215 | 4,614,817 | 4,710,883 |
| ($ in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets: | ||||
| Capital provision assets | ||||
| Derivative financial assets | ||||
| Single case | $— | $— | $1,052,519 | $1,052,519 |
| Portfolio | — | — | 3,053,800 | 3,053,800 |
| Portfolio with equity risk | — | — | 65,041 | 65,041 |
| Legal risk management | — | — | 6,442 | 6,442 |
| Non-derivative financial assets | ||||
| Joint ventures and equity method investments | — | — | 154,220 | 154,220 |
| Single case with equity risk | 8,711 | — | — | 8,711 |
| Assets of consolidated investment companies | ||||
| Core legal finance (BOF-C) | 8,581 | — | 705,315 | 713,896 |
| Lower risk legal finance (Advantage Fund) | — | — | 189,288 | 189,288 |
| Total capital provision assets | 17,292 | — | 5,226,625 | 5,243,917 |
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | — | — | 183,858 | 183,858 |
| Marketable securities | ||||
| Government securities | — | 40,405 | — | 40,405 |
| Corporate bonds | — | 20,077 | — | 20,077 |
| Asset-backed securities | — | 1,971 | — | 1,971 |
| Mutual funds | 10,654 | — | — | 10,654 |
| Certificates of deposit | 5,913 | — | — | 5,913 |
| Total assets | 33,859 | 62,453 | 5,410,483 | 5,506,795 |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets | — | — | 747,053 | 747,053 |
| Total liabilities | — | — | 747,053 | 747,053 |
| Net total | 33,859 | 62,453 | 4,663,430 | 4,759,742 |
The Group has elected the fair value option for the Group’s equity method investments, marketable securities, due from settlement of capital provision assets and financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets to provide a consistent fair value measurement approach for all capital provision related activity. Realized gains and losses, unrealized gains and losses and interest and dividend income on these assets are recognized as income/(loss) and presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations when they are earned.
The key risk and sensitivity across all the capital provision assets relate to the underlying litigation associated with each case that is underwritten and financed. The sensitivity to this Level 3 input is therefore considered to be similar across the different types of capital provision assets and is expressed as a portfolio-wide stress.
Movements in Level 3 fair value assets and liabilities
The tables below set forth the analysis of the movements in the Level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the periods indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | Beginningof period | Transfersinto Level 3 | Transfersbetweentypes | Deployments | Realizations | Income/(loss)for theperiod | Foreignexchangegains/(losses) | End ofperiod |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single case | $1,052,519 | $— | $(286,474) | $62,060 | $(97,636) | $23,240 | $2,733 | $756,442 |
| Portfolio | 3,053,800 | — | — | 27,969 | (49,548) | 65,763 | 1,864 | 3,099,848 |
| Portfolio with equity risk | 65,041 | — | — | 89 | — | 9,092 | — | 74,222 |
| Legal risk management | 6,442 | — | — | — | — | 477 | 278 | 7,197 |
| Joint ventures and equity method investments | 154,220 | — | — | — | (585) | 1,142 | 2,658 | 157,435 |
| Core legal finance (BOF-C) | 705,315 | — | — | 10,550 | (53,592) | 16,804 | 24 | 679,101 |
| Core legal finance (EP Funds)1 | — | — | 286,474 | 115,301 | — | 8,429 | — | 410,204 |
| Lower risk legal finance (Advantage Fund) | 189,288 | — | — | 507 | (85,709) | 3,964 | — | 108,050 |
| Total capital provision assets | 5,226,625 | — | — | 216,476 | (287,070) | 128,911 | 7,557 | 5,292,499 |
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 183,858 | — | — | 288,848 | (371,054) | 652 | 344 | 102,648 |
| Total Level 3 assets | 5,410,483 | — | — | 505,324 | (658,124) | 129,563 | 7,901 | 5,395,147 |
| Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets | 747,053 | — | — | 12,479 | — | 20,796 | 2 | 780,330 |
| Total Level 3 liabilities | 747,053 | — | — | 12,479 | — | 20,796 | 2 | 780,330 |
| 1. The restructuring of the EP Funds resulted in the Group being required to consolidate the underlying assets and liabilities of the entities during the three months ended March 31, 2025 (see note 2, Summary of significant accounting policies for further details). Prior to consolidation, the Group had a ‘Single case’ capital provision asset with the EP Funds representing its Eton Park interest in the YPF-related assets. This asset is eliminated on consolidation and forms part of the additions to the ‘Core legal finance (EP Funds)’. Deployments to ‘Core legal finance (EP Funds)’ includes approximately $80.0 million of other additions which are offset by other third-party liabilities assumed on consolidation. | ||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Beginningof period | Transfersinto Level 3 | Transfersbetweentypes | Deployments | Realizations | Income/(loss)for theperiod | Foreignexchangegains/(losses) | End ofperiod |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single case | $934,131 | $— | $— | $33,534 | $(39,186) | $6,336 | $(1,677) | $933,138 |
| Portfolio | 2,875,881 | — | — | 24,695 | (18,925) | 16,600 | (2,122) | 2,896,129 |
| Portfolio with equity risk | 142,659 | — | — | 90 | — | 18,433 | — | 161,182 |
| Legal risk management | 3,523 | — | — | — | — | 2,374 | (75) | 5,822 |
| Joint ventures and equity method investments | 178,628 | — | — | — | (488) | (17,046) | (777) | 160,317 |
| Core legal finance (BOF-C) | 705,092 | — | — | 16,471 | (45,594) | 11,097 | — | 687,066 |
| Lower risk legal finance (Advantage Fund) | 185,509 | — | — | 50,613 | (8,778) | 8,690 | — | 236,034 |
| Total capital provision assets | 5,025,423 | — | — | 125,403 | (112,971) | 46,484 | (4,651) | 5,079,688 |
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 265,540 | — | — | 112,971 | (247,561) | 802 | (64) | 131,688 |
| Total Level 3 assets | 5,290,963 | — | — | 238,374 | (360,532) | 47,286 | (4,715) | 5,211,376 |
| Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets | 704,196 | — | — | 6 | — | 5,224 | — | 709,426 |
| Total Level 3 liabilities | 704,196 | — | — | 6 | — | 5,224 | — | 709,426 |
All transfers into and out of Level 3 are recognized as if they have taken place as of the beginning of each reporting period. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
Key unobservable inputs for Level 3 valuations
The Group’s valuation policy for capital provision assets provides for ranges of percentages to be applied against the risk-adjustment factor to more than 70 discrete objective litigation events across five principal different types of litigation in order to calculate the adjusted risk premium. The range for each event isten percentage points. The Company typically marks assets at the middle of that range unless there are specific factors that cause the Group’s valuation committee to select a different point in the range and, on an exceptional basis, the Group’s valuation committee may also select a point outside the range. To decide which percentage to apply to a given asset, the Group’s valuation committee considers the kind and degree of legal, procedural or other investment-specific circumstances that may be present. See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Fair value of financial instruments) for additional information with respect to the Group’s valuation approach.
The tables below set forth each of the key unobservable inputs used to value the Group’s capital provision assets and the applicable ranges and weighted average by relative fair value for such inputs as of the dates indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Single case, Portfolio, Joint ventures and equity method investments, Legal risk management, Core legal finance (BOF-C)(1), Core legal finance (EP Funds), Financial liabilities relating to third party interests in capital provision assets | ||||||||||
| Principal value technique: | Discounted cash flow | ||||||||||
| Unobservable input: · Cost · Unrealized · Fair value · Minimum · Maximum · Weighted average | |||||||||||
| Discount rate | 4.8% | 7.5% | 6.7% | ||||||||
| Duration(2) (years) | 0.2 | 13.8 | 2.9 | ||||||||
| Adjusted risk premium | 0.0% | 100.0% | 30.9% | ||||||||
| Positive case milestone factor: | |||||||||||
| Significant ruling or other objective event prior to trial court judgment | $181,740 | $113,443 | $295,183 | 5.0% | 50.0% | 23.0% | |||||
| Trial court judgment or tribunal award | 88,624 | 100,061 | 188,685 | 25.0% | 60.0% | 53.6% | |||||
| Appeal judgment | 61,950 | 65,237 | 127,187 | 68.9% | 80.0% | 70.4% | |||||
| Asset freeze | 2,476 | 565 | 3,041 | 4.4% | 4.4% | 4.4% | |||||
| Exhaustion of all appeals | 78,400 | 66,985 | 145,385 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | |||||
| Settlement | 1,961 | 5,094 | 7,055 | 40.0% | 80.0% | 59.7% | |||||
| Portfolios with multiple factors | 518,750 | 438,031 | 956,781 | 0.4% | 100.0% | 27.2% | |||||
| Other | 309 | (163) | 146 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | |||||
| Negative case milestone factor: | |||||||||||
| Significant ruling or other objective event prior to trial court judgment | 17,209 | (16,291) | 918 | (50.0)% | (60.0)% | (56.8)% | |||||
| Trial court judgment or tribunal award | 45,011 | (24,058) | 20,953 | (10.0)% | (60.0)% | (57.3)% | |||||
| Appeal judgment | 7,989 | (7,989) | — | (100.0)% | (100.0)% | (100.0)% | |||||
| Portfolios with multiple factors | 60,540 | (33,992) | 26,548 | (2.4)% | (60.0)% | (43.0)% | |||||
| No case milestone: | 912,687 | 94,401 | 1,007,088 | ||||||||
| YPF-related assets: | 105,632 | 1,432,450 | 1,538,082 | ||||||||
| 2,083,278 | 2,233,774 | 4,317,052 | |||||||||
| Type: | Lower risk legal finance (Advantage Fund) | ||||||||||
| Principal value technique: | Discounted cash flow | ||||||||||
| Unobservable input: | Cost | Unrealized | Fair value | Minimum | Maximum | Weighted average | |||||
| Discount rate | 92,650 | 15,400 | 108,050 | 11.9% | 20.8% | 15.8% | |||||
| Duration(2) (years) | 0.0 | 6.8 | 2.1 | ||||||||
| Type: | Portfolio with equity risk, Core legal finance (BOF-C)(1) | ||||||||||
| Principal value technique: | Discounted cash flow | ||||||||||
| Unobservable input: | Cost | Unrealized | Fair value | Minimum | Maximum | Weighted average | |||||
| Discount rate | 45,741 | 41,326 | 87,067 | 13.4% | 13.4% | 13.4% | |||||
| Resolution timing (years) | 0.5 | 3.5 | 1.2 | ||||||||
| Conversion ratio | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | ||||||||
| Type: | Due from settlement of capital provision assets | ||||||||||
| Principal value technique: | Discounted cash flow | ||||||||||
| Unobservable input: | Cost | Unrealized | Fair value | Minimum | Maximum | Weighted average | |||||
| Discount rate | 102,419 | 229 | 102,648 | 6.6% | 6.6% | 6.6% | |||||
| Collection risk | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | ||||||||
| Level 3 assets and liabilities, net | 2,324,088 | 2,290,729 | 4,614,817 | ||||||||
| 1. Includes the proportional participation in these capital provision assets held by BOF-C. | |||||||||||
| 2. Duration refers to the expected timing of a favorable outcome. See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Fair value of financial instruments) to the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information with respect to the valuation methodology for Level 3 assets. | |||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Single case, Portfolio, Joint ventures and equity method investments, Legal risk management, Core legal finance (BOF-C)(1), Financial liabilities relating to third party interests in capital provision assets | |||||||||
| Principal value technique: | Discounted cash flow | |||||||||
| Unobservable input: · Cost · Unrealized · Fair value · Minimum · Maximum · Weighted average | ||||||||||
| Discount rate | 4.8% | 7.6% | 6.9% | |||||||
| Duration(2) (years) | 0.2 | 14.0 | 2.9 | |||||||
| Adjusted risk premium | 0.0% | 100.0% | 31.4% | |||||||
| Positive case milestone factor: | ||||||||||
| Significant ruling or other objective event prior to trial court judgment | $184,540 | $109,991 | $294,531 | 5.0% | 50.0% | 23.0% | ||||
| Trial court judgment or tribunal award | 86,880 | 98,453 | 185,333 | 25.0% | 60.0% | 54.0% | ||||
| Appeal judgment | 61,192 | 67,177 | 128,369 | 69.0% | 80.0% | 70.0% | ||||
| Asset freeze | 2,401 | 512 | 2,913 | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.0% | ||||
| Exhaustion of all appeals | 78,093 | 66,664 | 144,757 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | ||||
| Settlement | 1,911 | 4,889 | 6,800 | 40.0% | 80.0% | 60.0% | ||||
| Portfolios with multiple factors | 555,828 | 424,005 | 979,833 | 0.0% | 100.0% | 23.0% | ||||
| Other | 307 | (165) | 142 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | ||||
| Negative case milestone factor: | ||||||||||
| Significant ruling or other objective event prior to trial court judgment | 17,209 | (16,343) | 866 | (50.0)% | (60.0)% | (57.0)% | ||||
| Trial court judgment or tribunal award | 44,973 | (24,439) | 20,534 | (10.0)% | (60.0)% | (57.0)% | ||||
| Appeal judgment | 11,825 | (11,506) | 319 | (80.0)% | (100.0)% | (80.0)% | ||||
| Portfolios with multiple factors | 59,877 | (28,404) | 31,473 | (10.0)% | (60.0)% | (39.0)% | ||||
| No case milestone: | 924,530 | 28,112 | 952,642 | |||||||
| YPF-related assets: | 69,576 | 1,395,899 | 1,465,475 | |||||||
| 2,099,142 | 2,114,845 | 4,213,987 | ||||||||
| Type: | Lower risk legal finance (Advantage Fund) | |||||||||
| Principal value technique: | Discounted cash flow | |||||||||
| Unobservable input: | Cost | Unrealized | Fair value | Minimum | Maximum | Weighted average | ||||
| Discount rate | 159,816 | 29,472 | 189,288 | 12.1% | 21.0% | 17.2% | ||||
| Duration(3) (years) | 0.2 | 4.0 | 1.3 | |||||||
| Type: | Portfolio with equity risk, Core legal finance (BOF-C)(2) | |||||||||
| Principal value technique: | Discounted cash flow | |||||||||
| Unobservable input: | Cost | Unrealized | Fair value | Minimum | Maximum | Weighted average | ||||
| Discount rate | 45,741 | 30,556 | 76,297 | 14.0% | 14.0% | 14.0% | ||||
| Resolution timing (years) | 0.8 | 3.8 | 1.4 | |||||||
| Conversion ratio | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | |||||||
| Type: | Due from settlement of capital provision assets | |||||||||
| Principal value technique: | Discounted cash flow | |||||||||
| Unobservable input: | Cost | Unrealized | Fair value | Minimum | Maximum | Weighted average | ||||
| Discount rate | 182,657 | 1,201 | 183,858 | 6.8% | 6.8% | 6.8% | ||||
| Collection risk | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | |||||||
| Level 3 assets and liabilities, net | 2,487,356 | 2,176,074 | 4,663,430 | |||||||
| 1. Includes the proportional participation in these capital provision assets held by BOF-C. | ||||||||||
| 2. Duration refers to the expected timing of a favorable outcome. See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Fair value of financial instruments) to the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information with respect to the valuation methodology for Level 3 assets. | ||||||||||
Sensitivity of Level 3 valuations
Following origination, the Group engages in a review of each capital provision asset’s fair value in connection with the preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Should the prices of the Level 3 due from settlement of capital provision assets, capital provision assets and financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets have been 10% higher or lower, while all other variables remained constant, the Group’s consolidated income and net assets would have increased or decreased, respectively, by $461.5 million and $466.3 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
In addition, as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, should interest rates have been 50 or 100 basis points lower or higher, as applicable, than the actual interest rates used in the fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, the Group’s consolidated income and net assets would have increased or decreased, respectively, by the following amounts.
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| +100 bps interest rates | $(160,020) | $(153,241) |
| +50 bps interest rates | (81,092) | (77,644) |
| -50 bps interest rates | 82,043 | 78,514 |
| -100 bps interest rates | 166,354 | 159,169 |
Furthermore, as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, should duration have beensix or 12 months shorter or longer, as applicable, than the actual durations used in the fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, the Group’s consolidated income and net assets would have decreased or increased, respectively, by the following amounts.
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| +12 months duration(1) | $(390,776) | $(396,845) |
| +6 months duration(1) | (196,405) | (200,908) |
| -6 months duration(1) | 202,711 | 196,721 |
| -12 months duration(1) | 417,624 | 405,926 |
| 1. Duration refers to the expected timing of a favorable outcome. See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Fair value of financial instruments) to the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information with respect to the valuation methodology for Level 3 assets. | ||
The sensitivity impact has been provided on a pre-tax basis for both the Group’s consolidated income and net assets as the Group considers the fluctuation in its effective tax rate from period to period could indicate changes in sensitivity not driven by the valuation that are difficult to follow and detract from the comparability of this information.
Reasonably possible alternative assumptions
The determination of fair value for capital provision assets, due from settlement of capital provision assets and financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets, involves significant judgments and estimates. While the potential range of outcomes for the assets is wide, the Group’s fair value estimation is its best assessment of the current fair value of each asset or liability, as applicable. Such estimate is inherently subjective, being based largely on an assessment of how individual events have changed the possible outcomes of the asset or liability, as applicable, and their relative probabilities and hence the extent to which the fair value has altered. The aggregate of the fair values selected falls within a wide range of reasonably possible estimates. In the Group’s opinion, there is no useful alternative valuation that would better quantify the market risk inherent in the portfolio, and there are no inputs or variables to which the values of the assets are correlated other than interest rates that impact the discount rates applied.
- Variable interest entities
Consolidated VIEs
Pursuant to US GAAP consolidation guidance, the Group consolidates certain VIEs for which it is considered the primary beneficiary, either directly or indirectly, through a consolidated entity or affiliate. See note 2
(Summary of significant accounting policies) for additional information with respect to the Group’s consolidation.
Consolidated VIEs include entities relating to the Group’s private funds (e.g., BOF-C and the Advantage Fund), the EP Funds, investment vehicles for sale and resale of the participation interests (e.g., Colorado) and acquisition of interests in secured promissory notes (e.g., Mellor Investments LLC, formerly known as Forest Hills Investments LLC).
The Group provides revolving credit facilities to certain of its private funds for capital calls as required. These revolving credit facilities are entirely discretionary insofar as the Group is not obligated to fund under the revolving credit facilities. There wereno amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facilities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
The table below sets forth assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIEs as of the dates indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | $2,139,277 | $1,833,592 |
| Total liabilities | 370,974 | 8,711 |
The table below sets forth the total revenues and certain information relating to cash flows of the consolidated VIEs for the periods indicated.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Total revenues | $36,628 | $22,276 |
| Cash flows | ||
| Proceeds | 140,255 | 133,278 |
| (Funding) | (11,590) | (76,853) |
| Cash balance at period end | 24,145 | 17,960 |
Unconsolidated VIEs
The Group’s maximum exposure to loss from the unconsolidated VIEs is the sum of capital provision assets, fee receivables, accrued income and loans to the unconsolidated VIEs.
The table below sets forth the Group’s maximum exposure to loss from the unconsolidated VIEs as of the dates indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| On-balance sheet exposure | $30,400 | $26,603 |
| Off-balance sheet exposure - undrawn commitments | 4,994 | 4,788 |
| Maximum exposure to loss | 35,394 | 31,391 |
- Shareholders' equity
Share repurchases
On May 15, 2024, the Company's shareholders approved a resolution for the purchase of up to 21,864,608 ordinary shares of the Company on the open market, which authority is set to expire the earlier of (i) the close of the Company's annual general meeting to be held on May 14, 2025 and (ii)September 26, 2025. As of March 31, 2025, there were 20,745,323 ordinary shares of available authorization remaining.
Dividends
On February 28, 2025, the Board of Directors declared, subject to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting to be held on May 14, 2025, a final dividend of 6.25¢ per ordinary share to be paid on June 13, 2025, to shareholders of record on May 23, 2025. There wereno dividend payments during the three months ended March 31, 2025.
- Earnings per ordinary share
Basic earnings per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per ordinary share was computed using the treasury stock method, which reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities, including, when applicable, RSUs and PSUs. There were 291,763 and 889,425 potential ordinary shares related to the Company’s share-based awards excluded from diluted weighted average ordinary shares for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect.
The table below sets forth the computation for basic and diluted net income/(loss) attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share for the periods indicated.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands, except share data) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Net income/(loss) attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders | $30,929 | $(29,937) |
| Net income/(loss) attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders per ordinary share: | ||
| Basic | $0.14 | ($0.14) |
| Diluted | $0.14 | ($0.14) |
| Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding: | ||
| Basic | 219,299,857 | 218,933,963 |
| Dilutive effect of share-based awards | 3,802,487 | — |
| Diluted | 223,102,344 | 218,933,963 |
- Financial commitments and contingent liabilities
Commitments to financing arrangements
As a normal part of its business, the Group routinely enters into financing agreements that may require the Group to provide continuing financing over time, whereas other financing agreements provide for immediate financing of the total commitment. The terms of the former type of financing agreements vary widely—e.g., in cases of discretionary commitments, the Group is not contractually obligated to advance capital and generally would not suffer adverse financial consequences from not doing so and, therefore, has broad discretion as to each incremental financing of a continuing capital provision asset, while in cases of definitive commitments, the Group is contractually obligated to advance incremental capital, and failure to do so would typically result in adverse contractual consequences (such as a dilution in the Group’s returns or the loss of the Group’s deployed capital in a case).
The Group’s commitments are capped at a fixed amount in its financing agreements. In addition, as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Group had exposure to assets where the Group provided some form of legal risk arrangement pursuant to which the Group does not generally expect to deploy the full committed capital unless there is a failure of the claim, such as providing an indemnity for adverse legal costs. The table below sets forth the components of undrawn commitments as of the dates indicated (assuming the GBP/USD exchange rate of $1.2910 and $1.2529 as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively).
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Definitive | $985,953 | $962,808 |
| Discretionary | 879,362 | 1,032,433 |
| Legal risk (definitive) | 42,969 | 41,318 |
| Total capital provision undrawn commitments | 1,908,284 | 2,036,559 |
Legal proceedings
From time to time, the Group may be involved in various legal(including judicial, regulatory, administrative or arbitration)proceedings, lawsuits and claims incidental to the conduct of its business. Some of these proceedings, lawsuits or claims may be material and involve highly complex issues that are subject to substantial uncertainties and could result in damages, fines, penalties, non-monetary sanctions or relief. In addition, the Group’s business and operations are subject to extensive regulation, which may result in regulatory proceedings against the Group.
As of the date of this Form 10-Q, having considered the legal merits of any relevant proceedings, lawsuits or claims and having received relevant legal advice (including any legal advice from outside counsel), the Group considers there to be no material contingent liability in respect of any such proceedings, lawsuits or claims requiring disclosure in the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. However, given the potentially large and/or indeterminate relief that may be sought and the inherent unpredictability of legal proceedings, lawsuits or claims, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could have a material adverse effect on the Group’s business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in any future period. In addition, there can be no assurance that material losses will not be incurred from claims that have not yet been asserted or those where potential losses have not yet been determined to be probable or possible and reasonably estimable.
- Related party transactions
The Group has interests in joint ventures and equity method investments. See note 16 (Joint ventures and equity method investments) to the Group’s consolidated financial statements in the 2024 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to the balances held with joint ventures and equity method investments.
The table below sets forth the fundings and proceeds from joint ventures and equity method investments for the periods indicated.
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Fundings of joint ventures and equity method investments | $674 | $763 |
| Proceeds from joint ventures and equity method investments | 816 | 2,160 |
- Credit risk from financial instruments
The Group is exposed to credit risk in various asset structures that are set forth in note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies), most of which involve financing sums recoverable only out of successful capital provision assets with a concomitant risk of loss of deployed cost. Upon becoming contractually entitled to proceeds, depending on the structure of the particular capital provision asset, the Group could be a creditor of, and subject to direct or indirect credit risk from, a claimant, a defendant and/or other parties, or a combination thereof. Moreover, the Group may be indirectly subject to credit risk to the extent a defendant does not pay a claimant immediately, notwithstanding successful adjudication of a claim in the claimant’s favor. The Group’s credit risk is uncertain given that its entitlement pursuant to its assets is generally not established until a successful resolution of claims, and its potential credit risk is mitigated by the parties and indirect creditors, and due to a judgment creditor (in contrast to a conventional debtholder and in the absence of an actual bankruptcy of the counterparty) having immediate and unfettered rights of action to, for example, seize assets and garnish cash flows. The Group is also exposed to credit risk in respect of the cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. The credit risk of the cash and cash equivalents is mitigated as all cash is placed with reputable banks with a sound credit rating. Marketable securities primarily consist of government securities, investment grade corporate bonds, asset-backed securities and mutual funds, all of which can be redeemed on short notice or be sold on an active trading market.
The maximum credit risk exposure represented by cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, due from settlement of capital provision assets and capital provision assets is specified in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
In addition, the Group is exposed to credit risk on financial assets and receivables in other assets, all of which are held at amortized cost. The maximum credit exposure for such amounts was the carrying value of $20.2 million and $17.1 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The Group reviews the lifetime expected credit loss based on historical collection performance, the specific provisions of any settlement agreement and a forward-looking assessment of macroeconomic factors. Based on this review, the Group has not identified any material expected credit loss relating to the financial assets held at amortized cost. The Group recognizedno impairment for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
The Group is not exposed to concentration of credit risk from a particular region or customer.
- Subsequent events
There have been no events since March 31, 2025, to the date of this Form 10-Q that require recognition or disclosure in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.