Libra – PROF: the platform bringing litigation funding to Italian law firms
Litigation funding is the mechanism by which a third party finances a legal dispute and assumes the risk of an adverse outcome. It is no longer a niche activity reserved for Anglo-Saxon markets: it is a practice that is gaining increasing recognition in Italy as well, among clients, law firms and capital market operators.
At this stage of the market’s development, the role of the lawyer is fundamental. The lawyer is the first point of contact for the client who holds a right — the person who assesses its merits, builds the legal strategy and understands its expected value. It is for this reason that Libra – Finanziamento del Contenzioso S.p.A. has developed Libra – PROF, a digital portal dedicated to law firms, designed to make the litigation funding request process structured and accessible.
A three-tier value chain
Litigation funding generates distinct and complementary benefits for each of the parties involved.
For the client — whether an individual or a legal entity — access to funding makes it possible to realise the value of their claim without advancing costs and without bearing the risk of the proceedings. The intrinsic value of the right is unlocked no longer through an uncertain and burdensome path, but with the support of a structure that absorbs the financial burden and the procedural risk.
For the lawyer, the advantages are equally tangible. Being able to offer this service means, above all, expanding the client base — reaching individuals and businesses who would otherwise have been unable or unwilling to pursue a dispute. It also means greater certainty over fee payments and timelines, and compliance with bar tariffs: factors that directly affect the financial stability of the practice.
Finally, there is a systemic dimension. On one hand, funding improves access to justice for those who would otherwise be excluded due to lack of financial means. On the other, it introduces a quality filter on disputes: financing is only granted following an assessment of the merits of the claim to be pursued. A mechanism that selects deserving claims and contributes to the overall integrity of the system.
How the portal works
Libra – PROF is available exclusively to lawyers duly registered with the Ordinary Bar and the Court of Cassation Bar. The service is provided free of charge for twelve months to members of Bar Associations that have entered into a partnership agreement with Libra – FdC.
The onboarding process is guided. The law firm or individual lawyer registers directly on the portal, providing personal details, VAT number and Bar registration references. Once the data has been verified, the firm is authorised to upload case files. The upload process follows progressive steps, with clear indication of the documents required at each stage: the review of the funding request is designed to be streamlined and swift. The entire system is compliant with professional regulations, deontological rules and the GDPR.
A phase of deliberate construction
Libra – PROF is currently in a testing phase. Libra – FdC is inviting a selected number of lawyers to register, use the portal and contribute to the optimisation of its processes.
The decision to reserve access exclusively to lawyers reflects a deep conviction. The maturation of the litigation finance market in Italy depends on the ability to build a correct and transparent relationship between those who hold rights, those who pursue them, and those who invest in their realisation. In this process, the role of lawyers and their respective Bar Associations is fundamental.
Law firms wishing to register can access the portal at libraprof.fdcspa.it. For information on Bar Association partnership agreements: [email protected], +39 030 5356357 (option 4), contact: avv. Stefano Peri.
