Articles

CJEU clarifies when the clock starts ticking to claim cartel damages

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has finally settled a question that has long divided Spanish courts: when does the limitation period start for damages claims following an antitrust infringement decision by the Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC)? In its judgment of 4 September 2025, in Case C-21/24 (Nissan Iberia), the CJEU ruled that the limitation period begins not when the CNMC publishes its decision online, but when that decision becomes final after judicial review. In practice, this means that claimants have more time to seek compensation, since the five-year period set by the EU Damages Directive will…

CJEU Ruling Unlocks Path for Collective Damages Claims in Competition Litigation

On January 28, 2025, the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered a pivotal judgment (C-253/23, ASG 2 v. Land Nordrhein-Westfalen) that will have far-reaching implications for litigation funding and collective redress in the field of EU competition law. This decision addresses the conditions under which claimants harmed by anti-competitive conduct can assign their right to damages to legal service providers, enabling the bundling of claims—an issue central to mass harm and cartel damages actions. Background of the Case The case originated from a claim pursued by ASG 2 Ausgleichsgesellschaft für die Sägeindustrie Nordrhein-Westfalen GmbH (“ASG…

Stonward, ranked in Chambers & Partrners | Europe-wide 2024.

We are pleased to announce that we have been rated once again under Litigation Funding | Litigation Support by leading international legal directory Chambers & Partrners | Europe-wide 2024. “Stonward was formerly a litigation financing broker but has now repositioned itself in the market as a funder and is active in commercial litigation, mainly focusing on the Spanish market.” says Chambers & Partners, speaking about what the team is best for. Specialist lawyer Guido Demarco is rated by Chambers & Partners once again as notable practitioner in Band 2, stating that “he is head of legal assets at Stonward and…

Guido Demarco interviewed in Leaders League

“Guido Demarco, head of legal assets at Stonward, talks to Leaders League about the most recent trends in the litigation funding market, the legal strategy employed in the investment decision-making process and the advantages Stonward enjoys as a litigation funding company with profound knowledge of the complex Spanish legal framework.”   Spain stands out as a promising hub in the litigation funding industry The consolidation of global litigation funding market has heightened the demand for specialist funders. Guido Demarco, head of legal assets at Stonward, talks to Leaders League about the most recent trends in the litigation funding market, the…

Have the tables turned in the litigation funding industry?
“Have the tables turned in the litigation funding industry?” A New Op-Ed by Guido Demarco

Our Director, Guido Demarco, writes for the Oxford Business Law Blog about the shifting dynamics of the litigation funding industry. Along with Rodrigo Olivares-Caminal, Chair in Banking and Finance Law, Queen Mary University of London, they offer a unique perspective on the rise, challenges, and transformative moments within the litigation funding sector, providing invaluable insights into the industry’s current landscape. Don’t miss the full article here. “Until now, investors in the litigation funding arena have echoed this thought. However, a recent decision by the UK Supreme Court in R (on the application of PACCAR Inc and others) v Competition Appeal Tribunal…

Landmark New York Court’s Decision Strengthens the Future of Litigation Funding
Op-Ed by Guido Demarco: Landmark New York Court’s Decision and the Future of Litigation Funding

Guido Demarco, Director and Head of Legal Assets at Stonward, delves into the outlook for litigation funding following the significant ruling by the New York Court in the case involving Petersen Energía SAU and Petersen Energía Inversora SAU (the Petersen Companies) versus the Republic of Argentina. The piece entitled “Landmark New York Court’s Decision Strengthens the Future of Litigation Funding” explains how the ruling reaffirms the critical role litigation funders play in providing access to justice, particularly in complex cases involving powerful sovereign entities. “No doubt, this will be a beacon in times in which the industry is under heavy…

Stonward in the Litigation Finance Journal podcast
Chris Garvey interviewed in Litigation Finance Journal

The Litigation Finance Journal has spoken with Chris Garvey, member of the Board of Investments at Stonward. In this episode, Chris discussed the litigation funding market in Spain, the challenges and opportunities for funders there, what cases Stonward looks to finance, implications of the Voss report, and much more! Listen to the full episode here. Chris pointed out that “there is a very healthy and active, vibrant-no win, no fee industry within the legal community in Spain”, and highlighted the two areas in which he is seeing more funding deployed: “the competition space, where you have the need for expensive…

Litigation funding - Advancing class actions against large corporations
Opinion: “Litigation funding – Advancing class actions against large corporations”

Our Director and Head of Legal Assets, Guido Demarco, has published a new opinion article at Abogados.Com.Ar, a prestigious Argentinian website focused on the legal sector, about how litigation funding can help advance class actions against large corporations. Litigation funding has proven to be an invaluable tool for driving large-scale class actions. The truck cartel in Europe, the PPI scandal in the UK, the ‘Dieselgate’ in Germany or the class action brought by shareholders against the Commonwealth Bank of Australia are just a few examples. The financial support provided by litigation funds has leveled the playing field against large companies…