Burford Capital Ltd (BUR)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > SIC Major Group 61 > SIC 6199 Finance Services
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1714174. Latest filing source: 0001714174-26-000007.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read BUR's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read BUR's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 413,360,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
| Net income | 62,572,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
| Assets | 6,641,172,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-26. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001714174.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 534,470,000 | 327,862,000 | 217,330,000 | 319,227,000 | 1,086,902,000 | 546,087,000 | 413,360,000 |
| Net income | 300,546,000 | 143,275,000 | -28,751,000 | 30,506,000 | 610,522,000 | 146,484,000 | 62,572,000 |
| Operating income | 396,405,000 | 208,779,000 | 68,584,000 | 194,955,000 | 815,666,000 | 390,602,000 | 232,111,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 1.37 | 0.65 | -0.13 | 0.14 | 2.74 | 0.66 | 0.28 |
| Operating cash flow | -273,555,000 | 53,827,000 | -585,364,000 | -466,104,000 | -274,682,000 | 216,725,000 | -29,014,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 3,398,000 | 360,000 | 285,000 | 407,000 | 3,212,000 | 661,000 | 284,000 |
| Share buybacks | 3,749,000 | 3,759,000 | 5,090,000 | 15,310,000 | |||
| Assets | 3,267,585,000 | 3,741,504,000 | 4,288,359,000 | 5,837,394,000 | 6,175,025,000 | 6,641,172,000 | |
| Liabilities | 1,244,475,000 | 1,633,487,000 | 1,901,289,000 | 2,629,614,000 | 2,918,190,000 | 3,513,442,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 1,762,758,000 | 1,695,872,000 | 1,742,584,000 | 2,290,858,000 | 2,419,432,000 | 2,448,022,000 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 178,177,000 | 322,085,000 | 180,255,000 | 107,658,000 | 220,549,000 | 469,930,000 | 566,437,000 |
| Free cash flow | -276,953,000 | 53,467,000 | -585,649,000 | -466,511,000 | -277,894,000 | 216,064,000 | -29,298,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 56.23% | 43.70% | -13.23% | 9.56% | 56.17% | 26.82% | 15.14% |
| Operating margin | 74.17% | 63.68% | 31.56% | 61.07% | 75.05% | 71.53% | 56.15% |
| Return on equity | 8.13% | -1.70% | 1.75% | 26.65% | 6.05% | 2.56% | |
| Return on assets | 4.38% | -0.77% | 0.71% | 10.46% | 2.37% | 0.94% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 0.71 | 0.96 | 1.09 | 1.15 | 1.21 | 1.44 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001714174-26-000007; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001714174-26-000007; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001714174-26-000007; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-08. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001714174.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 118,859,000 | 30,929,000 | 0.14 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 191,286,000 | 88,296,000 | 0.39 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 69,803,000 | -19,156,000 | -0.09 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 33,412,000 | -37,497,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | -1,632,069,000 | -7.46 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001714174-26-000007; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001714174-26-000068; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001714174-26-000068; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001714174-26-000068.
Item 2. Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is intended to convey management’s perspective with respect to our operating and financial performance for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. It should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained in the 2025 Form 10-K.
The following discussion and analysis also contains a discussion of certain unaudited non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs that are used by management to monitor our financial condition and results of operations. These non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs are supplemental and should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to, our consolidated financial condition or results of operations as reported under US GAAP. See “Non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs” and “—Reconciliations” for additional information with respect to non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs and the applicable reconciliations.
In addition, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those identified below and those discussed under “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and the 2025 Form 10-K.
Company overview
We are the world’s largest dedicated provider of capital, based on portfolio size, against the underlying value of litigation and legal assets, which we colloquially call legal finance. We are a global firm that serves the legal industry by providing an array of financial products and services. Our largest business is providing capital to clients engaged in ongoing legal disputes, which they can use both to pay the legal fees and expenses associated with disputes and to monetize the expected future value of disputes. Our focus is on large, complex disputes, not on small-scale litigation typically pursued by consumers or small businesses.
YPF-related assets
Our largest individual asset was our interest in the proceeds of claims brought by the Petersen and Eton Park entities against the Republic of Argentina and YPF S.A. that have been the subject of extensive disclosure in prior reports. On September 15, 2023, judgment was entered in favor of the plaintiffs resulting in a substantial increase in the balance sheet fair value of the YPF-related assets, and that value increased further in the year ended December 31, 2024 when the court ordered the turnover of certain YPF S.A.’s shares to plaintiffs. However, on March 27, 2026, that judgment was reversed on appeal (the “YPF Judgment Reversal”) and, as a result, the balance sheet fair value of the YPF-related assets has been significantly reduced. Further proceedings with respect to the YPF-related assets are ongoing in the US courts and the plaintiffs are also likely to pursue relief through international arbitration proceedings.
Economic and market conditions
Our portfolio returns are driven by judicial activity, and we believe these returns are generally uncorrelated to market conditions or the performance of the overall economy. The most direct impact of economic and market conditions on our business relates to our cost of debt and ease of access to corporate debt capital markets, as well as movements in market rates that cause adjustments to the discount rates applied in the fair value of our assets and that impact our quarterly revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP. Overall, we believe our business model is particularly resilient to economic and market cycles due to the nature of the assets that drive our revenues and cash flow.
More broadly, economic conditions can have an impact on the volume and type of litigation that we may consider financing. For example, increased rates of corporate insolvencies can lead to opportunities to finance litigation relating to or arising out of insolvencies and bankruptcies; higher interest rates or other forms of economic stress can cause businesses to act illegally (such as to conspire to fix prices) leading to financeable claims; and pressure from shareholders and markets can lead to the commission of securities fraud and other similar acts, again resulting in financeable claims.
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, military action in the Middle East, geopolitical tensions and ongoing disruption to global trade drove significant volatility in global financial markets. We do not expect this volatility to have a significant impact on the performance of our legal finance portfolio or our financial results. More generally, tighter financial conditions and a weakening of gross domestic product would
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typically cause the incidence of corporate disputes and associated litigation to increase, although it is usual for this to occur with a lag.
See “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—We are subject to credit risk relating to our various legal finance assets that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity” and “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—Legal, political and economic uncertainty surrounding the effects, severity and duration of public health threats could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity” in the 2025 Form 10-K.
Covid-19
Court systems and other forms of adjudication have returned to functionality in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. In general, courts have continued to work through the case backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and, during the three months ended March 31, 2026, we have observed continuing portfolio activity. Nevertheless, some court systems continue to face backlogs, delaying adjudication. Inevitably, some of our matters (and thus our cash realizations from them) in jurisdictions impacted by court backlogs have been slowed by these dynamics, and we saw impact from that in our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025 as extensions of expected duration reduced the fair value of certain assets. In some cases, we are protected on duration risk, because some of our assets have time-based terms that increase our absolute returns as time passes. We have not seen the discontinuance of any matters. Of our concluded matters since June 2021, we have observed a higher incidence of pre-adjudication settlements as a proportion of aggregate realizations in comparison to the period from our inception to June 2021. We do not yet know whether this is an effect of the Covid-19 pandemic or a lasting trend.
See “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—Legal, political and economic uncertainty surrounding the effects, severity and duration of public health threats could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity” in the 2025 Form 10-K.
Inflation
The effect of inflation on our revenues is mitigated to a significant extent by a number of factors, including the high returns generated by capital provision assets and their relatively short weighted average lives. Furthermore, inflationary increases in legal case fees and expenses can increase the size of commitments, deployments and damages sought. Because returns on most of our assets are at least partially based upon a multiple of those fees and expenses, our returns on successful cases should also increase in such circumstances. To the degree that inflation drives higher interest rates and to the extent that pre- and post-judgment interest rates in a particular jurisdiction are tied to market interest rates, higher inflation would result in increases in awards by the relevant courts. The effect of inflation on our expenses would predominantly be through employee costs, which represent the majority of our operating expenses, although a significant portion of compensation-related expenses are performance-based. Our Principal Finance costs include interest expenses associated with our outstanding debt securities, although these are fixed coupon and non-adjustable, regardless of the rate of inflation.
Party solvency
Litigation outcomes stand apart from the remainder of the conventional credit universe because they do not arise as a result of a contractual relationship between the judgment debtor and creditor, unlike essentially all other forms of credit obligation. Thus, for example, a debtholder seeking recovery on a defaulted debt must take many steps, typically involving notice, a cure period and usually a subsequent judicial or insolvency proceeding that will generally sweep in other creditors, resulting in a meaningful risk of the debt being impaired or compromised. By contrast, a judgment creditor has immediate and unfettered rights of action, for example, to seize assets and garnish cash flows, meaning that a judgment creditor often has substantial leverage and ability to secure payment of a judgment against even a financially distressed judgment debtor as long as the judgment debtor does not seek protection from creditors in a formal insolvency proceeding.
To the extent that the claimant in a matter we are financing becomes insolvent, insolvency proceedings typically provide for the continued prosecution of claims given that the claim is a valuable contingent asset, the recovery of which is in the best interests of the claimant’s stakeholders, and we are often a secured creditor with respect to the litigation we are financing. Nevertheless, a claimant’s insolvency may delay the underlying litigation while the insolvency process unfolds. Judgment creditors are typically unsecured creditors, and should the defendant in a matter we are financing become insolvent, the risk to our recovery is dependent on the financial condition of the judgment debtor and the availability of assets for unsecured creditors.
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Other items
There were no material developments with respect to, or changes from, our disclosure in the 2025 Form 10-K relating to the international sanctions on Russian businesses and individuals.
Results of operations and financial condition
Set forth below is a discussion of our unaudited condensed consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial condition as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, in each case, on a consolidated basis, unless otherwise noted.
In this section, any references to 2026 refer to the three months ended March 31, 2026, and any references to 2025 refer to the three months ended March 31, 2025.
Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025
Overview
The table below sets forth a summary of our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated.
[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","","Three months ended March 31,"],["($ in thousands)","","2026","","2025","","Change","","% change"],["Total revenues","","$","(1,720,374)","","","$","118,859","","","$","(1,839,233)","","","NM"],["Total operating expenses","","(150,096)","","","41,101","","","(191,197)","","","NM"],["Operating income/(loss)","","(1,570,278)","","","77,758","","","(1,648,036)","","","NM"],["Total other expenses","","65,286","","","33,280","","","32,006","","","96","%"],["Income/(loss) before income taxes","","(1,635,564)","","","44,478","","","(1,680,042)","","","NM"],["Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes","","(2,417)","","","7,568","","","(9,985)","","","NM"],["Net income/(loss)","","(1,633,147)","
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained elsewhere in this 2025 Form 10-K.
The following discussion and analysis also contain a discussion of certain unaudited KPIs (as defined below) and non-GAAP financial measures that are used by management to monitor our financial condition and results of operations. These KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to, our consolidated financial condition or results of operations as reported under US GAAP. See “—Basis of presentation of financial information” and “—Reconciliations” for additional information with respect to KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures and the applicable reconciliations.
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, can be found in the “Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” section of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2025.
Economic and market conditions
Our portfolio returns are driven by judicial activity, and we believe these returns are generally uncorrelated to market conditions or the performance of the overall economy. The most direct impact of economic and market conditions on our business relates to our cost of debt and ease of access to corporate debt capital markets, as well as movements in market rates that cause adjustments to the discount rates applied in the fair value of our assets and that impact our quarterly revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP. We believe that we maintain access to corporate debt capital markets, supported by credit rating upgrades from Moody’s in the second quarter of 2025 and from S&P in the third quarter of 2025 and as demonstrated by successful debt offerings in July 2025 and January 2026. Overall, we believe our business model is
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particularly resilient to economic and market cycles due to the nature of the assets that drive our revenues and cash flow.
More broadly, economic conditions can have an impact on the volume and type of litigation that we may consider financing. For example, increased rates of corporate insolvencies can lead to opportunities to finance litigation relating to or arising out of insolvencies and bankruptcies; higher interest rates or other forms of economic stress can cause businesses to act illegally (such as to conspire to fix prices) leading to financeable claims; and pressure from shareholders and markets can lead to the commission of securities fraud and other similar acts, again resulting in financeable claims.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the rising potential for global trade disruption through the implementation of tariffs drove significant volatility in global financial markets. We do not believe that a broad elevation in global tariff rates would have a significant impact on the performance of our legal finance portfolio or our financial results. While the economic impact of trade tariffs is uncertain at this point, tighter financial conditions and a weakening of gross domestic product would typically cause the incidence of corporate disputes and associated litigation to increase, although it is usual for this to occur with a lag.
See “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—We are subject to credit risk relating to our various legal finance assets that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity” and “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—Legal, political and economic uncertainty surrounding the effects, severity and duration of public health threats could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity”.
Covid-19
Court systems and other forms of adjudication have returned to functionality in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. In general, courts have continued to work through the case backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and, during the year ended December 31, 2025, we have observed continuing portfolio activity. Nevertheless, some court systems continue to face backlogs, delaying adjudication. Inevitably, some of our matters (and thus our cash realizations from them) in jurisdictions impacted by court backlogs have been slowed by these dynamics, and we saw impact from that in our 2025 financial results as extensions of expected duration reduced the fair value of certain assets. In some cases, we are protected on duration risk, because some of our assets have time-based terms that increase our absolute returns as time passes. We have not seen the discontinuance of any matters. Of our concluded matters since June 2021, we have observed a higher incidence of pre-adjudication settlements as a proportion of aggregate realizations in comparison to the period from our inception to June 2021. We do not yet know whether this is an effect of the Covid-19 pandemic or a lasting trend.
See “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—Legal, political and economic uncertainty surrounding the effects, severity and duration of public health threats could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity”.
Inflation
The effect of inflation on our revenues is mitigated to a significant extent by a number of factors, including the high returns generated by capital provision assets and their relatively short weighted average lives. Furthermore, inflationary increases in legal case fees and expenses can increase the size of commitments, deployments and damages sought. Because returns on most of our assets are at least partially based upon a multiple of those fees and expenses, our returns on successful cases should also increase in such circumstances. To the degree that inflation drives higher interest rates and to the extent that pre- and post-judgment interest rates in a particular jurisdiction are tied to market interest rates, higher inflation would result in increases in awards by the relevant courts. The effect of inflation on our expenses would predominantly be through employee costs, which represent the majority of our operating expenses, although a significant portion of compensation-related expenses are performance-based. Our Principal Finance costs include interest expenses associated with our outstanding debt securities, although these are fixed coupon and non-adjustable, regardless of the rate of inflation.
Party solvency
Litigation outcomes stand apart from the remainder of the conventional credit universe because they do not arise as a result of a contractual relationship between the judgment debtor and creditor, unlike essentially all other forms of credit obligation. Thus, for example, a debtholder seeking recovery on a defaulted debt must take many steps, typically involving notice, a cure period and usually a subsequent judicial or insolvency proceeding that will generally sweep in other creditors, resulting in a meaningful risk of the debt being impaired or compromised. By contrast, a judgment creditor has immediate and unfettered rights of action, for example, to seize assets and garnish cash flows, meaning that a judgment creditor often has substantial leverage and ability to secure payment of a judgment against even a financially distressed
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judgment debtor as long as the judgment debtor does not seek protection from creditors in a formal insolvency proceeding.
To the extent that the claimant in a matter we are financing becomes insolvent, insolvency proceedings typically provide for the continued prosecution of claims given that the claim is a valuable contingent asset, the recovery of which is in the best interests of the claimant’s stakeholders, and we are often a secured creditor with respect to the litigation we are financing. Nevertheless, a claimant’s insolvency may delay the underlying litigation while the insolvency process unfolds. Judgment creditors are typically unsecured creditors, and should the defendant in a matter we are financing become insolvent, the risk to our recovery is dependent on the financial condition of the judgment debtor and the availability of assets for unsecured creditors.
International sanctions on Russian businesses and individuals
The international sanctions imposed on Russian businesses and individuals continue to impact the legal industry. Our legal finance assets in jurisdictions outside Russia that involve claims against entities that might have an ultimate Russian parent or controller (regardless of sanction status) represented in the aggregate $125.9 million (or approximately 2% of total fair value for capital provision assets) as of December 31, 2025 as compared to $115.0 million (or approximately 2% of total fair value for capital provision assets) as of December 31, 2024. There have been no significant changes or developments with respect to the impact of these international sanctions on our business. We are mindful of any sanctions or other issues and work regularly with specialist counsel in the sanctions area (as well as ensuring compliance with all legal requirements, such as anti-money laundering). Where we are required to enforce judgments or awards, even against sanctioned entities, such enforcement tends to be consistent with the goals of international sanctions regimes rather than running afoul of them, and the US Office of Foreign Assets Control and the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation regularly grant licenses to do so. We do not anticipate any adverse material impact on our business from the sanctions regime.
Basis of presentation of financial information
We report our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025, and comparative periods contained in this 2025 Form 10-K in accordance with US GAAP. Our consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars.
Results of operations and financial condition
Set forth below is a discussion of our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, and our consolidated financial condition as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, in each case, on a consolidated basis, unless otherwise noted.
In this section, any references to 2025 refer to the year ended December 31, 2025, and any references to 2024 refer to the year ended December 31, 2024.
Consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024
Overview
The table below sets forth a summary of our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated.
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| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 413,360 | $ | 546,087 | $ | (132,727) | (24) | % | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | 181,249 | 155,485 | 25,764 | 17 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | 232,111 | 390,602 | (158,491) | (41) | % | ||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 148,079 | 137,014 | 11,065 | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 84,032 | 253,588 | (169,556) | (67) | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes | 11,844 | 24,005 | (12,161) | (50.7) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) | 72,188 | 229,583 | (157,395) | (69) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 9,616 | 83,099 | (73,483) | (88) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders | 62,572 | 146,484 | (83,912) | (57) | % | ||||||||||
| Note: “NM” denotes not meaningful. Changes from negative to positive amounts and positive to negative amounts, increases or decreases from zero and changes greater than 700% are not considered meaningful. |
Total revenues decreased 24% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily due to a decrease in capital provision income, arising mainly from lower net realized gains, and operating expenses increased, primarily due to increases in case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost and increases in general, administrative and other expenses. The net result was $62.6 million in net income attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to net income of $146.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Revenues
The table below sets forth the components of our total revenues for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision income/(loss) | $ | 476,813 | $ | 552,066 | $ | (75,253) | (14) | % | |||||||
| Plus/(Less): Third-party interests in capital provision assets | (99,142) | (42,384) | (56,758) | 134 | % | ||||||||||
| Asset management income/(loss) | 6,312 | 8,340 | (2,028) | (24) | % | ||||||||||
| Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest | 28,760 | 25,014 | 3,746 | 15 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income/(loss) | 617 | 3,051 | (2,434) | (80) | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 413,360 | 546,087 | (132,727) | (24) | % |
Capital provision income/(loss)
The table below sets forth the components of our capital provision income for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Net realized gains/(losses) | $ | 260,592 | $ | 439,665 | $ | (179,073) | (41) | % | |||||||
| Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 185,589 | 127,981 | 57,608 | 45 | % | ||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 20,145 | (15,701) | 35,846 | NM | |||||||||||
| Other | 10,487 | 121 | 10,366 | NM | |||||||||||
| Total capital provision income/(loss) | 476,813 | 552,066 | (75,253) | (14) | % |
For the year ended December 31, 2025, net realized gains were $260.6 million, comprising $330.8 million of gross realized gains, offset by gross realized losses of $70.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2024, net realized gains were $439.7 million, comprising $481.6 million of gross realized gains, offset by gross realized losses of $41.9 million. We had three large realized gains that each individually exceeded $40.0 million in 2024 and we did not have realized gains in 2025 of the same magnitude, which thus impacted our
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net realized gains. On the other hand, unlike 2024, we did not experience a single large realized loss in 2025, but we did have a number of smaller, immaterial losses concentrated in our higher-risk, higher-return areas. Overall, net realized gains resulted from $710.5 million in realizations for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to $907.0 million in realizations for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Fair value adjustments, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains, are affected by a number of factors, including changes in discount rate, duration and litigation risk premium, the reversal of previously recognized unrealized gains upon conclusion of a matter and its transfer to realized gains and actual performance of matters as they pass through milestones. All of those factors contributed to the net change in unrealized gain of $185.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to a net change in unrealized gain of $128.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with the passage of time and the relative movement in discount rates having the largest impacts on the change year over year and the Turnover Order (as defined below) having the largest impact on an individual matter during 2025.
As part of our fair value methodology, we discount the expected future cash flows. If discount rates had remained unchanged from December 31, 2024, applying those same rates to the portfolio as of December 31, 2025, fair value would have been approximately $106.8 million lower than as reported. The weighted average discount rate across the portfolio decreased to 6.1% as of December 31, 2025, from 6.9% as of December 31, 2024, and interest sensitivities of the portfolio to assumed basis point changes in rates at each period end are disclosed in “—Critical accounting estimates—Fair value of capital provision assets”. Fair value is also impacted by changes in the adjusted risk premium, which was slightly down at 31.1% as of December 31, 2025, from 31.4% as of December 31, 2024. The impact of the addition of newly acquired or originated capital provision assets during the period (which generally have higher risk premiums at the start of the capital provision asset’s life) was offset by net favorable developments across the rest of the portfolio.
Plus/(Less): Third-party interests in capital provision assets
Third-party interests in capital provision assets reduced capital provision income by $99.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, due to increases in the fair value of the YPF-related assets because of the progression closer to our expected conclusion date and a decrease in discount rates. The year-over-year change was also impacted by the Turnover Order.
Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest
Marketable securities income and interest increased 15% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily driven by interest income earned from higher cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities balances and the impact of the appreciation of the pound sterling against the US dollar in our non-USD holdings, partially offset by lower US yields.
Operating expenses
The table below sets forth the components of our total operating expenses for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | $ | 48,444 | $ | 42,418 | $ | 6,026 | 14 | % | |||||||
| Annual incentive compensation | 22,335 | 29,210 | (6,875) | (24) | % | ||||||||||
| Share-based and deferred compensation | 13,841 | 8,822 | 5,019 | 57 | % | ||||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation including accruals | 43,622 | 43,209 | 413 | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| Total compensation and benefits | 128,242 | 123,659 | 4,583 | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 38,362 | 31,025 | 7,337 | 24 | % | ||||||||||
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 14,645 | 801 | 13,844 | NM | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 181,249 | 155,485 | 25,764 | 17 | % |
Total operating expenses increased 17% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily due to higher case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost largely related to the consolidation of the EP Funds and higher general, administrative and other expenses. The increase in general, administrative and other expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025 is driven by higher professional fees incurred.
Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost significantly increased for the year ended December 31, 2025, reflecting an increase in the level of expenses and the number of instances where we incur legal or other related expenses that are directly attributable to a capital provision asset but that do not form part of the deployed amount under a capital provision agreement, such as when we bear incremental legal expenses in cases. Examples of the incurrence of such expenses include situations where we are
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effectively the claimant in a litigation matter due to the acquisition of assets or the assignment of a claim. Such expenditures accounted for $10.4 million and $1.9 million of the total case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Included in the $10.4 million of case-related expenditures in 2025 is $5.4 million related to contingent fee arrangements associated with the EP Funds. While we report these costs as expenses for accounting purposes, we treat them for purposes of return and performance metrics as part of the asset’s cost basis in the same way that we treat traditional legal finance arrangements.
Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost also include fees paid to third parties when we have sought our own legal advice or expert opinion with respect to matters related to a capital provision asset. These expenses are expected to fluctuate period-over-period and accounted for $4.2 million and a credit of $1.1 million of total case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. A credit in case-related expenditures for 2024 was a result of cost recoveries from an insurance policy.
Other expenses
The table below sets forth the components of our total other expenses for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Finance costs | $ | 151,015 | $ | 135,593 | $ | 15,422 | 11 | % | |||||||
| Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses and other expenses | (2,936) | 1,421 | (4,357) | NM | |||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 148,079 | 137,014 | 11,065 | 8 | % |
Finance costs
Finance costs increased 11% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily due to higher interest expense related to the issuance of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2033 (the "2033 Notes") during the year ended December 31, 2025.
Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses and other expenses
Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses and other expenses were gains of $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to losses of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The year-over-year change was primarily driven by the strengthening of both the pound sterling and euro against the US dollar.
Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes
The table below sets forth our provision for/(benefit from) income taxes for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes: | $ | 11,844 | $ | 24,005 | $ | (12,161) | (51) | % |
Provision for income taxes decreased 51% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily due to a reduction in overall taxable income for 2025. Cash taxes paid were $23.2 million and $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The OECD has introduced Pillar Two which is a framework to implement a global minimum tax for certain multinational companies that have earned annual consolidated revenues of at least €750 million in at least two out of the prior four accounting periods. Guernsey as well as certain countries in which we operate have enacted legislation to implement Pillar Two. Pillar Two taxes are considered an alternative minimum tax accounted for as a period cost that will impact the effective tax rate in the year the Pillar Two tax obligation arises. Therefore, deferred taxes will not be recognized or adjusted for the estimated effects of future minimum taxes.
Based on our annual consolidated revenues over the past several years, we are not currently subject to the OECD Pillar Two mandate. Notwithstanding this fact, we have assessed the potential impact of Pillar Two based on laws enacted as of the date of this 2025 Form 10-K and there was no material effect on our current effective tax rate, business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity for the year ended December 31, 2025. Based on this assessment and the prospective nature of the effective date of the application of the Pillar Two rules, we also do not currently anticipate any material effect on our effective tax rate, business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity for the year ending December
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31, 2025. See “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—Changes in tax laws and regulations or unanticipated tax liabilities could affect our effective tax rate, business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity” for additional information with respect to the risks relating to Pillar Two.
Net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests
The table below sets forth our net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests: | $ | 9,616 | $ | 83,099 | $ | (73,483) | (88) | % |
We consolidate certain entities that have other shareholders and/or investors, including the Advantage Fund and BOF-C. The Advantage Fund does not have a traditional management and performance fee structure, but instead we retain any excess returns after the first 10% of annual simple returns are remitted to the Advantage Fund’s investors. With respect to BOF-C, under the co-investing arrangement with the sovereign wealth fund, we (in our capacity as the appointed investment adviser) receive reimbursement of expenses from BOF-C up to a certain level before we or the sovereign wealth fund, as applicable, receive a return of capital. After the repayment of capital, we then receive a portion of the return generated from the assets held by BOF-C. We include 100% of the Advantage Fund’s and BOF-C’s income and expenses in the applicable line items in our consolidated statements of operations (for example, 100% of the income on the Advantage Fund’s and BOF-C’s capital provision assets is included in capital provision income in our consolidated statements of operations), and the net amount of those income and expense line items that relate to third-party interests is included in net income attributable to non-controlling interests. In turn, this net amount is deducted from net income to arrive at net income attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders in our consolidated statements of operations. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests does not include Colorado and the EP Funds. See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Consolidation) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to our consolidation policies.
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests decreased 88% for the year ended December 31, 2025, reflecting non-controlling interests’ share of the decrease in capital provision income year-over-over. See "Capital provision income/(loss)" above for additional information with respect to the year-over-year change in the different components of capital provision income.
Consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024
The table below sets forth specified line items from our consolidated statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated.
| December 31 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 566,437 | $ | 469,930 | $ | 96,507 | 21 | % | |||||||
| Marketable securities | 89,486 | 79,020 | 10,466 | 13 | % | ||||||||||
| Other assets | 73,743 | 61,006 | 12,737 | 21 | % | ||||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 164,804 | 183,858 | (19,054) | (10) | % | ||||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,609,949 | 5,243,917 | 366,032 | 7 | % |
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities
Cash and cash equivalents increased 21% and marketable securities increased 13% both as of December 31, 2025. The net increase in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities primarily reflects the issuance of the 2033 Notes, partially offset by the redemption of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.125% Bonds which matured on August 12, 2025 (the “2025 Bonds”) and the impact from third-party net distributions.
Other assets
Other assets increased 21% as of December 31, 2025, primarily due to the acquisition of an equity method investment and from higher receivables.
Due from settlement of capital provision assets
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Due from settlement of capital provision assets decreased 10% as of December 31, 2025, primarily due to cash received from realizations during 2025 and collections on the due from settlement of capital provision assets receivable that was outstanding as of December 31, 2024. Of the $183.9 million of due from settlement receivables as of December 31, 2024, 73% was collected in cash during 2025.
Capital provision assets
Capital provision assets increased 7% as of December 31, 2025, primarily reflecting capital provision income earned during the year and continued deployments into capital provision assets, partially offset by the impact of realizations.
Fair value of capital provision assets
Valuation policy
See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Fair value of financial instruments) to our
consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K for a description of our valuation policy for capital provision assets.
Fair value of capital provision assets
The table below sets forth the fair value of capital provision assets, comprised of deployed cost and unrealized gains, for the YPF-related assets and other assets as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third-party | segments | Third-party | segments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | interests | (Burford-only) | Consolidated | interests | (Burford-only) | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital provision assets | $ | 5,609,949 | $ | (1,697,755) | $ | 3,912,194 | $ | 5,243,917 | $ | (1,672,693) | $ | 3,571,224 | |||||||||||
| Deployed costs | 2,498,463 | (640,630) | 1,857,833 | 2,341,377 | (668,784) | 1,672,593 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deployed costs on YPF-related assets | 193,564 | (75,987) | 117,577 | 76,405 | (6,829) | 69,576 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deployed costs on non-YPF-related assets | 2,304,899 | (564,643) | 1,740,256 | 2,264,972 | (661,955) | 1,603,017 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains | 3,111,486 | (1,057,125) | 2,054,361 | 2,902,540 | (1,003,909) | 1,898,631 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains on YPF-related assets | 2,390,155 | (818,374) | 1,571,781 | 2,118,112 | (722,213) | 1,395,899 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains on non-YPF-related assets | 721,331 | (238,751) | 482,580 | 784,428 | (281,696) | 502,732 |
On a consolidated basis, the aggregate fair value of our capital provision assets was $5.6 billion, the aggregate deployed cost was $2.5 billion and the aggregate unrealized gains were $3.1 billion each as of December 31, 2025. The increase of $157.1 million in deployed cost is a result of deployments during 2025, offset by the return of capital from realizations. See “—Consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024—Revenues” above for additional information with respect to the change in unrealized gains, which is driven by this period’s fair value adjustment, net of previously recognized unrealized gains transferred to realized gains.
Within total segments (Burford-only), the aggregate fair value of our capital provision assets was $3.9 billion, the aggregate deployed cost was $1.9 billion and the aggregate unrealized gains were $2.1 billion each as of December 31, 2025. The increase of $185.2 million in deployed cost is a result of deployments during 2025, offset by the return of capital from realizations. See “—Segments—Principal Finance segment—Gains from capital provision asset portfolio” for additional information with respect to the change in unrealized gains, which is driven by this period’s fair value adjustment, net of previously recognized unrealized gains transferred to realized gains.
Fair value of YPF-related assets
The determination of the fair value of the YPF-related assets—our financing of the Petersen and Eton Park claims (as described below)—is based on the same methodology that we use to value all our other capital provision assets. In June 2019, we sold a portion of the Petersen claim, constituting $100.0 million of a $148.0 million placement, to a number of institutional investors. Other third-party holders sold the remaining portion. Given the size of this sale and the participation of a meaningful number of third-party institutional investors, we concluded that this market evidence should be factored into our valuation process of the YPF-related assets. As a result, we have utilized the implicit valuation of the Petersen claim to calibrate our model to determine the fair value of the YPF-related assets in subsequent periods through December 31,
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2025. Episodic subsequent trading of portions of the Petersen claim have not been factored into our valuation process of the YPF-related assets.
On March 31, 2023, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) issued its opinion and order (the “March 2023 Ruling”) in connection with the summary judgment motions filed by the parties in the Petersen and Eton Park cases against the Republic of Argentina and YPF S.A. In summary, the Court decided that (i) Argentina was liable to Petersen and Eton Park for failing to make a tender offer for their YPF shares in 2012, (ii) YPF was not liable for failing to enforce its bylaws against Argentina, (iii) the various arguments Argentina had made to try to reduce its damages liability from the straightforward application of the formula in the bylaws were unavailing and (iv) an evidentiary hearing was needed to resolve two factual issues to enable the computation of damages, where those issues were (1) the date on which the Republic of Argentina should have made a tender offer for YPF S.A.’s shares and (2) the appropriate rate of pre-judgment interest to be applied.
On September 8, 2023, the Court issued its findings of fact and conclusions of law in connection with the Petersen and Eton Park cases against the Republic of Argentina and YPF S.A. In summary, the Court decided the issues raised at the evidentiary hearing in Petersen’s and Eton Park’s favor, holding that the appropriate date for the tender offer was April 16, 2012, and that pre-judgment interest should run from May 3, 2012, at a simple interest rate of 8%.
On September 15, 2023, the Court issued a final judgment (the “September 2023 Final Judgment”) that resulted in a complete win by Petersen and Eton Park with respect to damages against the Republic of Argentina of $16.1 billion, comprised of $14.3 billion due to Petersen and $1.7 billion due to Eton Park. The September 2023 Final Judgment awards post-judgment interest at a rate of 5.42% per annum, computed daily to the date of payment and compounded annually. On October 10, 2023, the Republic of Argentina filed a notice of appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and, on October 18, 2023, Petersen and Eton Park filed a notice a cross-appeal as to the dismissal of their claims against YPF S.A. On August 23, 2024, briefing on the appeal and cross-appeal was completed. On October 29, 2025, oral argument of the appeal and cross-appeal occurred before a panel of the Second Circuit and the panel’s decision was reserved and will be released in due course. As with any litigation matter, litigation outcomes are risky and difficult to predict, and a loss in a litigation matter may result in the total loss of our capital and balance sheet asset value associated with that matter.
During the three months ended March 31, 2025, further restructuring of the Eton Park liquidation led to a modest increase in our share of proceeds. That restructuring resulted in the consolidation of the EP Funds, which led to an increase of $116.6 million in our capital provision assets, offset by $70.0 million of contingent fees in our other liabilities and $12.2 million in financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets, and an expense of $2.8 million in case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost, in each case, on a consolidated basis as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2025. On a total segments (Burford-only) basis, deployed cost increased $38.0 million associated with this restructuring of the Eton Park liquidation, which included $2.8 million of case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost, for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
On June 30, 2025, the Court granted Petersen and Eton Park’s motion (the “Turnover Order”) seeking an order that the Republic of Argentina turn over its 51% of YPF S.A.’s Class D shares to Petersen and Eton Park, in partial satisfaction of the $16.1 billion judgment. The Republic of Argentina has appealed this ruling to the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which has been stayed pending appeal.
On a consolidated basis, the fair value of the YPF-related assets (both Petersen and Eton Park combined) was $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2025. Our cost basis and unrealized gains increased $117.2 million and $272.0 million to $193.6 million and $2.4 billion, respectively, during 2025. The increase in the cost basis was mainly due to the consolidation of the EP Funds, while the increase in unrealized gains was due to the passage of time bringing us closer to our expected conclusion date, the impact of the Turnover Order and the relative movement in discount rates.
Within total segments (Burford-only), the fair value of the YPF-related assets (both Petersen and Eton Park combined) was $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2025. Our cost basis and our unrealized gains increased $48.0 million and $175.9 million to $117.6 million and $1.6 billion, respectively, during 2025. The increase in the cost basis was mainly due to the consolidation of the EP Funds, while the increase in unrealized gains was due to the passage of time bringing us closer to our expected conclusion date, the impact of the Turnover Order and the relative movement in discount rates.
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Undrawn commitments
Undrawn commitments are unfunded commitments which are attributable to our capital provision asset portfolio and can be divided into two categories: definitive and discretionary.
▪Definitive commitments are those where we are contractually obligated to advance incremental capital and failure to do so would typically result in adverse contractual consequences (such as a dilution in our returns or the loss of our deployed capital in a case).
▪Discretionary commitments are those where we retain a considerable degree of discretion over whether to advance capital and generally would not suffer an adverse financial consequence from not doing so
The table below sets forth the components of our total capital provision undrawn commitments as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Definitive | $ | 1,269,708 | $ | 962,808 | $ | 306,900 | 32 | % | |||||||
| Discretionary | 793,533 | 1,032,433 | (238,900) | (23) | % | ||||||||||
| Legal risk (definitive) | 47,235 | 41,318 | 5,917 | 14 | % | ||||||||||
| Total capital provision undrawn commitments | 2,110,476 | 2,036,559 | 73,917 | 4 | % |
As of December 31, 2025, approximately 62% of our legal finance undrawn commitments related to definitive commitments and approximately 38% related to discretionary, as compared to 49% and 51%, respectively as of December 31, 2024.
Segments
We have two reportable segments through which we provide legal finance products and services to our clients: (i) Principal Finance and (ii) Asset Management and Other Services.
Our Principal Finance segment funds 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. These capital provision assets and private fund interests generate our capital provision income, which is the most significant driver of our total revenues.
Our Asset Management and Other Services segment manages legal finance assets on behalf of third-party investors, and we provide other services to the legal industry for both of which we receive fees. These fees are primarily reflected as asset management income, which is a secondary contributor to our total revenues. As of December 31, 2025, we operated eight private funds and three “sidecar” funds as an investment adviser registered with and regulated by the SEC.
The Asset Management and Other Services segment may also reflect the financial impact of new initiatives in the legal services space, including initial diligence and start-up costs, which may impact segment-level profitability.
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Statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024
The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes by segment for the periods indicated.
| Reconciliation | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Principal Finance | Asset Management and Other Services | Total segments (Burford-only) | Reconciling items(1) | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 359,408 | $ | 36,641 | $ | 396,049 | $ | 17,311 | $ | 413,360 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 147,339 | 26,220 | 173,559 | 7,690 | 181,249 | ||||||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 148,400 | (326) | 148,074 | 5 | 148,079 | ||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 63,669 | 10,747 | 74,416 | 9,616 | 84,032 | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 412,702 | 47,678 | 460,380 | 85,707 | 546,087 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 125,713 | 27,341 | 153,054 | 2,431 | 155,485 | ||||||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 136,837 | — | 136,837 | 177 | 137,014 | ||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 150,152 | 20,337 | 170,489 | 83,099 | 253,588 | ||||||||||||||
| Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | (53,294) | (11,037) | (64,331) | (68,396) | (132,727) | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 21,626 | (1,121) | 20,505 | 5,259 | 25,764 | ||||||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 11,563 | (326) | 11,237 | (172) | 11,065 | ||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | (86,483) | (9,590) | (96,073) | (73,483) | (169,556) | ||||||||||||||
| 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 Strategic Value Fund, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities. |
The decrease in capital provision income, arising from lower net realized gains, was the main driver of the decrease in income before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 on both consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) bases.
An increase in operating expenses, for both consolidated and total segments (Burford-only), further contributed to the decrease in income before income taxes. In each case, the increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increases in case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost and increases in general, administrative and other expenses.
For the period-over-period discussion of each of the reportable segments, refer to the specific segment sections further below.
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Statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2025, as compared to December 31, 2024
The table below sets forth the components of our consolidated statements of financial condition by segment as of the dates indicated.
| Reconciliation | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Principal Finance | Asset Management and Other Services | Total segments (Burford-only) | Reconciling items(1) | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 599,011 | $ | 21,666 | $ | 620,677 | $ | 35,246 | $ | 655,923 | |||||||||
| Other assets | $ | 24,348 | $ | 167,309 | $ | 191,657 | $ | (117,914) | $ | 73,743 | |||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | $ | 164,804 | $ | — | $ | 164,804 | $ | — | $ | 164,804 | |||||||||
| Capital provision assets | $ | 3,912,194 | $ | — | $ | 3,912,194 | $ | 1,697,755 | $ | 5,609,949 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 4,811,081 | $ | 215,004 | $ | 5,026,085 | $ | 1,615,087 | $ | 6,641,172 | |||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||
| Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 90,980 | $ | 9,016 | $ | 99,996 | $ | 6,977 | $ | 106,973 | |||||||||
| Other assets | $ | 637 | $ | 15,539 | $ | 16,176 | $ | (3,439) | $ | 12,737 | |||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | $ | (18,847) | $ | — | $ | (18,847) | $ | (207) | $ | (19,054) | |||||||||
| Capital provision assets | $ | 340,970 | $ | — | $ | 340,970 | $ | 25,062 | $ | 366,032 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 413,127 | $ | 24,627 | $ | 437,754 | $ | 28,393 | $ | 466,147 | |||||||||
| 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 Strategic Value Fund, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities. |
Total assets, as of December 31, 2025, increased $466.1 million for consolidated and increased $437.8 million for total segments (Burford-only). In each case, the increase in total assets is mainly attributable to an increase in capital provision assets and by increases in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities, partially offset by a decrease in due from settlement of capital provision assets. See “—Consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2025, as compared to December 31, 2024” above for additional information on the components of our consolidated statements of financial condition. For the year-over-year discussion of each of the reportable segments, refer to the specific segment sections further below.
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Group-wide portfolio
Group-wide portfolio refers to the totality of assets managed by us, which includes assets financed by our balance sheet through our Principal Finance segment and assets financed by third-party capital through our Asset Management and Other Services segment. The table below sets forth the components of our portfolio by segment as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision assets - Principal Finance segment | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | $ | 3,912,194 | $ | 3,571,224 | $ | 340,970 | 10 | % | |||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 1,783,320 | 1,632,856 | 150,464 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total portfolio value - Principal Finance segment | 5,695,514 | 5,204,080 | 491,434 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Capital provision assets (funded by third parties) - Asset Management and Other Services segment | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | 1,151,341 | 1,353,893 | (202,552) | (15) | % | ||||||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 410,339 | 491,186 | (80,847) | (16) | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 1,561,680 | 1,845,079 | (283,399) | (15) | % | ||||||||||
| Post-settlement | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | 200,206 | 272,424 | (72,218) | (27) | % | ||||||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 20,005 | 67,961 | (47,956) | (71) | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 220,211 | 340,385 | (120,174) | (35) | % | ||||||||||
| Total portfolio value - Asset Management and Other Services segment | 1,781,891 | 2,185,464 | (403,573) | (18) | % | ||||||||||
| Capital provision assets - group-wide portfolio | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | 5,263,741 | 5,197,541 | 66,200 | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 2,213,664 | 2,192,003 | 21,661 | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| Total group-wide portfolio | 7,477,405 | 7,389,544 | 87,861 | 1 | % |
For the year-over-year discussion of each of the reportable segments, refer to the specific segment sections further below.
Group-wide new definitive commitments
New definitive commitments serve as one indicator of new business activity, and reflect new contractual financing agreements, which are inflows to the portfolio or transfers of existing discretionary commitments. Discretionary commitments, which are also included in undrawn commitments as a component of the portfolio, are not included within new definitive commitments. When referring to new definitive commitments for our combined business segments, we use the term “group-wide”, as opposed to total segments (Burford-only) which we use for our financial results, due to the third-party nature of the capital in our asset management business. The table below sets forth the components of our group-wide new definitive commitments of capital provision assets by segment for periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Principal Finance segment (Burford-only) | $ | 871,724 | $ | 626,815 | $ | 244,909 | 39 | % | |||||||
| Asset Management and Other Services segment (funded by third-parties) | 112,950 | 187,278 | (74,328) | (40) | % | ||||||||||
| Group-wide new definitive commitments | 984,674 | 814,093 | 170,581 | 21 | % |
Group-wide new definitive commitments, increased 21% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily as a result of a higher number of large new definitive commitments originated during the year, which resulted in a higher average deal size during the year.
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Principal Finance segment
Our 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. These capital provision assets and private fund interests generate capital provision income, which is the most significant driver of our total revenues.
Given the direct balance sheet exposure in our Principal Finance segment, we generate capital provision income directly from the gross returns of the portfolio, which are driven by the outcomes of litigation and related legal activity. Recognition of capital provision income is based on our fair value methodology, see note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies) to our consolidated financial statements contained in
this 2025 Form 10-K, for each asset in the portfolio, which we apply quarterly, and the resulting change in fair value across the Principal Finance segment portfolio.
Statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024
The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes for our Principal Finance segment for the periods indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision income/(loss) | $ | 330,937 | $ | 388,124 | $ | (57,187) | (15) | % | |||||||
| Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest | 28,471 | 24,578 | 3,893 | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 359,408 | 412,702 | (53,294) | (13) | % | ||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | 107,770 | 101,758 | 6,012 | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 32,301 | 25,012 | 7,289 | 29 | % | ||||||||||
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 7,268 | (1,057) | 8,325 | NM | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 147,339 | 125,713 | 21,626 | 17 | % | ||||||||||
| Finance costs | 151,015 | 135,593 | 15,422 | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses and other expenses | (2,615) | 1,244 | (3,859) | NM | |||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 148,400 | 136,837 | 11,563 | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 63,669 | 150,152 | (86,483) | (58) | % |
Total revenues decreased 13% for the year ended December 31, 2025, mainly due to a decrease in capital provision income, primarily arising from lower net realized gains, partially offset by higher fair value adjustments.
Total operating expenses increased 17% for the year ended December 31, 2025, driven primarily by higher case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost, related to the consolidation of the EP Funds and higher general, administrative and other expenses, as a result of higher professional fees incurred.
Total other expenses increased 8% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily due to higher interest expense related to the issuance of the 2033 Notes during the year ended December 31, 2025.
As a result of the factors described above, income/(loss) before income taxes decreased 58% for the year ended December 31, 2025.
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Gains from capital provision asset portfolio
The table below sets forth the components of our total capital provision income for the periods indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Net realized gains/(losses) | $ | 157,744 | $ | 327,174 | $ | (169,430) | (52) | % | |||||||
| Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 144,131 | 76,001 | 68,130 | 90 | % | ||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 18,575 | (15,172) | 33,747 | NM | |||||||||||
| Other | 10,487 | 121 | 10,366 | NM | |||||||||||
| Total capital provision income | 330,937 | 388,124 | (57,187) | (15) | % |
Realized gains
Net realized gains on capital provision assets decreased 52% for the year ended December 31, 2025, which were comprised of $211.6 million in gross realized gains, offset by $53.9 million in gross realized losses. For the year ended December 31, 2024, net realized gains on capital provision assets were comprised of $361.3 million in gross realized gains, offset by $34.1 million in gross realized losses. We had two large realized gains that each individually exceeded $50.0 million in 2024 and none of that magnitude in 2025, which thus impacted our net realized gains; at the same time, we did not experience any large unrealized losses individually in 2025 but did have a number of smaller losses in our higher-risk areas. As a percentage of average capital provision assets at cost during the year ended December 31, 2025, gross realized losses represented 3.1% as compared to 2.1% for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Net change in unrealized gains
Net change in unrealized gains consist of fair value adjustments during the period, which may be offset by the transfer of unrealized gains/(losses) to realized gains/(losses) upon realization of an asset. Fair value adjustments, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains, on capital provision assets increased 90% for the year ended December 31, 2025, with the passage of time and the relative movement in discount rates having the largest impacts on the change year over year and the Turnover Order having the largest impact on an individual matter.
See “—Consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024—Revenues—Capital provision income/(loss)” above for additional information with respect to the year-over-year change of fair value adjustment, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses).
Statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024
The table below sets forth the components of our consolidated statements of financial condition for our Principal Finance segment as of the dates indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 599,011 | $ | 508,031 | $ | 90,980 | 18 | % | |||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 164,804 | 183,651 | (18,847) | (10) | % | ||||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 3,912,194 | 3,571,224 | 340,970 | 10 | % | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 4,811,081 | 4,397,954 | 413,127 | 9 | % |
Total assets increased 9% as of December 31, 2025, due to an increase in capital provision assets and increases in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities, partially offset by a decrease in due from settlement of capital provision assets. See “—Consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024” above for additional information.
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Portfolio value – Principal Finance segment
The table below sets forth the components of our portfolio for our Principal Finance segment as of the dates indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision assets | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | $ | 3,912,194 | $ | 3,571,224 | $ | 340,970 | 10 | % | |||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 1,783,320 | 1,632,856 | 150,464 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total portfolio | 5,695,514 | 5,204,080 | 491,434 | 9 | % |
Total portfolio increased 9% as of December 31, 2025, driven by increases in fair value of capital provision assets resulting from additional deployments and unrealized gains in 2025 plus an increase in undrawn commitments due to new commitments added in the same period. Capital provision assets include our investment in the Advantage Fund which makes up less than 1% of the total portfolio as of December 31, 2025.
The table below sets forth our deployments and realizations for our Principal Finance segment for the periods indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Deployments | $ | 456,758 | $ | 399,312 | $ | 57,446 | 14 | % | |||||||
| Realizations | 443,854 | 646,876 | (203,022) | (31) | % |
The table below sets forth our deployments and realizations, for the periods indicated, adjusted primarily to (i) include case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost for our deployments and (ii) include (a) realizations arising from income on due from settlement of capital provision assets and (b) in cases where our interest is held through a private fund, adjust to reflect realizations based on the timing of occurrence with the capital provision asset and not when distributed out by the private fund for our realizations. See “—Reconciliations—Deployments reconciliations” and “—Reconciliations—Realizations reconciliations” for additional information with respect to the difference between the Principal Finance segment and the Burford-only basis tables.
| Adjusted Burford-only | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Deployments | $ | 459,156 | $ | 400,714 | $ | 58,441 | 15 | % | |||||||
| Realizations | 458,238 | 641,124 | (182,886) | (29) | % |
For both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only basis, total deployments increased by 14% and 15%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2025. The increase in deployments for both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only basis was driven by more than $130.0 million of monetizations across six different assets.
We count each of our contractual relationships as an “asset”, although many such relationships are composed of multiple underlying litigation matters that are often cross collateralized rather than reliant on the performance of a single matter. As of December 31, 2025, our Principal Finance portfolio consisted of 237 assets funded directly by our balance sheet and four additional assets held through the Advantage Fund. As of December 31, 2024, our Principal Finance portfolio consisted of 227 assets funded directly by our balance sheet and nine additional assets held through the Advantage Fund.
Total realizations decreased by 31% for the Principal Finance segment and by 29% for the adjusted Burford-only basis for the year ended December 31, 2025. The decrease in realizations was largely due to several large realizations in 2024, including a single asset that generated $114.5 million for both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only basis, that did not recur in such volume in 2025.
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Undrawn commitments – Principal Finance segment
The table below sets forth the components of our total capital provision undrawn commitments for our Principal Finance segment by type as of the dates indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | Definitive | Discretionary | Legal Risk (definitive) | Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 591,942 | $ | 766,537 | $ | 49,526 | $ | 1,408,005 | |||||||
| New commitments originated during the period | 497,317 | 202,917 | — | 700,234 | |||||||||||
| New commitments transferred during the period | 129,498 | (129,498) | — | — | |||||||||||
| Cancelled or retired | (23,707) | (301) | — | (24,008) | |||||||||||
| Deployments | (399,312) | — | — | (399,312) | |||||||||||
| FX and other | (22,065) | (21,790) | (8,208) | (52,063) | |||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2024 | 773,673 | 817,865 | 41,318 | 1,632,856 | |||||||||||
| New commitments originated during the period | 692,284 | 71,110 | — | 763,394 | |||||||||||
| New commitments transferred during the period | 179,440 | (180,339) | 899 | — | |||||||||||
| Cancelled or retired | (58,467) | (90,274) | — | (148,741) | |||||||||||
| Deployments | (456,595) | — | — | (456,595) | |||||||||||
| FX and other | (22,276) | 9,663 | 5,018 | (7,595) | |||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2025 | 1,108,059 | 628,026 | 47,235 | 1,783,320 |
As of December 31, 2025, undrawn commitments increased 9%, primarily due to higher new definitive commitments originated during the period, partially offset by deployments.
Portfolio concentrations
Our Principal Finance portfolio includes certain related exposures where we have financed multiple different counterparties in relation to the same or very similar claims, such that outcomes on these related exposures are likely to be correlated. We estimate that the fair value of the assets underlying our largest correlated exposure (excluding YPF-related assets) represented approximately 4% and 5% of the capital provision assets in the Principal Finance segment as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The claims underlying our capital provision assets are generally diverse, as are our relationships with corporate and law firm clients. The table below sets forth the respective percentages of our commitments to corporate, law firm and other clients as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporates | 54 | % | 55 | % | ||
| Law firms | 40 | % | 40 | % | ||
| Other | 6 | % | 5 | % |
Our largest commitment (including deployed capital and undrawn commitment) to a corporate client was $130.0 million, which accounted for 4% of our commitments, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Our largest relationship with a single law firm consisted of (i) financing arrangements between us and the law firm, where the law firm seeks to monetize the risk that the law firm has taken with some of its clients, (ii) direct financing arrangements with counterparties that elect to hire the law firm where we finance the law firm’s legal fees and (iii) direct financing arrangements with counterparties that have hired the law firm but where our financing is used for corporate purposes other than for financing the law firm’s legal fees. This law firm is one of the 50 largest law firms in the United States based on revenue according to The American Lawyer, with more than 500 lawyers and more than 20 offices around the world. Our portfolio of matters with this law firm included more than 15 different litigation matters as of December 31, 2025. Taken together, these arrangements accounted for approximately $118.3 million, or 2% of our commitments as of December 31, 2025, as compared to $130.5 million, or 4% of our commitments as of December 31, 2024.
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Portfolio tenor
The timing of realizations is difficult to forecast and is rarely in our control. The reality of litigation is that most cases settle and pay proceeds in a relatively short period of time, and a minority of cases go on to adjudication, which takes longer. Adjudication timing is subject to a myriad of factors, including delaying tactics by litigation opponents and court dockets and schedules, and the Covid-19 pandemic has added to this uncertainty. However, we are now seeing the impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic begin to subside. We believe that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic delaying trial dates also has caused a delay in settlement timing, as an impending trial often can be a catalyst for a settlement. We do not believe there is a correlation between asset life and asset quality and endeavor to structure our asset pricing to compensate us if assets take longer to resolve.
We provide extensive data about the WAL of our concluded portfolio, although this data may not be predictive of the ultimate WAL of our existing portfolio. The WAL of our concluded portfolio may lengthen over time if the longer-tenor assets in our existing portfolio account for a greater share of future concluded cases. Conversely, if our larger, more recently originated cases conclude relatively quickly, the WAL of our concluded portfolio could decrease.
In calculating the WAL of our portfolio, we compute a weighted average of the WALs of individual assets. On that basis, we assess the weighted average lives (beginning at the point of average deployment) of the concluded portfolio, weighted both by deployed cost and realizations. Weighting by deployed cost provides a view on how long on average a dollar of capital is deployed, while weighting by realizations provides a view on how long on average it takes to recover a dollar of return.
The WALs of the 277 concluded assets as of December 31, 2025 were flat as compared to the WALs of the 248 concluded assets as of December 31, 2024. The table below sets forth the WALs, weighted by deployed cost and by realizations of the concluded assets, excluding the impact of our interest in private funds, as of the dates indicated.
| (in years) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAL weighted by deployed cost | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
| WAL weighted by realizations | 2.6 | 2.6 |
The age of our ongoing portfolio is reflected in the WAL of active deployed capital in the table below. Although we provide information for our portfolio by vintage years, the deployed costs for each vintage are generally financed across multiple years and the WAL of active deployed capital calculates the length of time our deployments have been outstanding based on the date when capital was deployed.
| (in years) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAL of active deployed capital | 3.3 | 3.1 |
Returns on concluded portfolio
The table below sets forth our ROIC, IRR and cumulative realizations on concluded and partially concluded assets in our capital provision portfolio as of the dates indicated since inception on a Burford-only basis.
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROIC | 83 | % | 87 | % | ||
| IRR | 26 | % | 26 | % | ||
| Cumulative realizations | $ | 3,766,819 | $ | 3,331,356 |
Our ROIC decreased from 87% as of December 31, 2024 to 83% as of December 31, 2025 because we had a fast resolution in one large matter that originated in the 2024 vintage and resolved within eight months, generating $93.8 million of realizations and $18.8 million in realized gains, amounting to a 40% IRR. The speed of the resolution meant that our nominal returns were lower (25% ROIC), causing a reduction in our overall cumulative ROIC (83% ROIC). Our total returns from this matter were higher than expressed here given the participation of other pools of capital outside the Principal Finance portfolio.
As our older vintages conclude, we may see IRR decrease as the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic caused delays in settlement timing. In addition to legal finance assets funded directly through our balance sheet, our Principal Finance segment also selectively allocates balance sheet capital through interests in select private funds, which tend to target a lower overall risk return profile.
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We do not consider cases to be concluded (and therefore part of these return metrics on our concluded portfolio) until there is no longer any litigation risk remaining. Return metrics on our concluded portfolio do not include fair value adjustments, either positive or negative. As a result, these return figures do not include the positive or negative impact of developments on matters while they remain pending.
Portfolio by vintage
The table below sets forth a summary by vintage of every legal finance asset that we have funded directly by our balance sheet, as of the date indicated since inception. For a table with all the individual vintages, refer to our website.
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| December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of | Commitment | Deployed | Realized | Concluded (fully and partially) | ||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | assets | amount(1)(2) | costs(1) | proceeds(1) | ROIC | IRR | ||||||||||||
| Concluded | 87 | 576 | 475 | 754 | 103 | % | 25 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 44 | 35 | 280 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 6 | 223 | 134 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 4 | 37 | 36 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Pre-2016 Total | 97 | 880 | 680 | 1,034 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 83 | 863 | 660 | 1,171 | 81 | % | 24 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 344 | 306 | 583 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 39 | 521 | 346 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 44 | 590 | 368 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2016-2020 Total | 166 | 2,318 | 1,680 | 1,754 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 11 | 49 | 39 | 73 | 74 | % | 30 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 206 | 202 | 347 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 12 | 174 | 111 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 14 | 113 | 81 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 Total | 37 | 542 | 433 | 420 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 7 | 80 | 41 | 69 | 85 | % | 33 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 70 | 69 | 134 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 11 | 249 | 140 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 21 | 273 | 183 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 Total | 39 | 672 | 433 | 203 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 6 | 237 | 133 | 190 | 61 | % | 51 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 16 | 12 | 45 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 7 | 70 | 48 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 11 | 350 | 78 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 Total | 24 | 673 | 271 | 235 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 3 | 96 | 75 | 94 | 29 | % | 46 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 15 | 8 | 13 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 2 | 30 | 4 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 31 | 505 | 161 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 Total | 36 | 646 | 248 | 107 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | — | — | — | — | 161 | % | 512 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 5 | 5 | 14 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 3 | 73 | 58 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 32 | 546 | 98 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 Total | 35 | 624 | 161 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| Total portfolio: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 197 | 1,901 | 1,423 | 2,351 | 83 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded(4) | 80 | 700 | 637 | 1,416 | ||||||||||||||
| Total concluded portion | 277 | 2,601 | 2,060 | 3,767 | ||||||||||||||
| Partially realized – ongoing portion(4) | 80 | 1340 | 841 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 157 | 2,414 | 1,005 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total ongoing portion | 237 | 3,754 | 1,846 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total portfolio | 434 | 6,355 | 3,906 | 3,767 | ||||||||||||||
| 1. Amounts in currencies other than US dollar are reported in this table at the foreign exchange rates in effect at the time of the historical transaction, i.e., when the commitment or deployment was made or when proceeds were realized, respectively. Amounts related to those transactions (such as undrawn commitments or deployed costs) reflected elsewhere in this “Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” or in our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K may be reported based on the foreign exchange rates in effect as of the end of the applicable period and, therefore, may differ from the amounts in this table. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2. A portion of certain ongoing assets’ undrawn commitments are no longer an obligation. This table presents an asset’s gross original commitments, so it does not reflect a reduction in commitment for the portion that is no longer an obligation. This will result in a difference when compared to undrawn commitments in note 20 (Financial commitments and contingent liabilities) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3. The number of assets for partially realized concluded transactions is listed under the number of assets for partially realized ongoing transactions as these are the concluded and ongoing portions of the same transactions. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4. As of December 31, 2025, there were 80 capital provision assets with partial realizations. We repeat the number with partial realizations in total concluded and total ongoing. |
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Asset Management and Other Services segment
Our Asset Management and Other Services segment manages legal finance assets on behalf of third-party investors, and we provide other services to the legal industry for both of which we receive fees. These fees are primarily reflected as asset management income, which is a secondary contributor to our total revenues.
Our internal allocation policy strictly prescribes the allocation of third-party private fund capital by fund based on the risk/return profile of assets, thus removing any potential allocation conflicts of interest with our Principal Finance segment.
We generally conduct our private funds activities through limited partnerships. Each private fund that is a limited partnership has a Burford-owned general partner that is responsible for the management and operation of the private fund’s affairs and makes all policy and asset selection decisions relating to the conduct of the private fund’s business. Except as required by law or as specified in a private fund’s governing documents, the limited partners of the private funds take no part in the conduct or control of the business of the private funds, have no right or authority to act for or bind the private funds, have limited visibility and input into the actions and decisions of the general partner and have no influence over the voting or disposition of the securities or other assets held by the private funds. Each private fund engages an investment adviser. BCIM serves as the investment adviser for all of our private funds and is registered under the Investment Advisers Act.
In addition, we operate certain “sidecar” funds pertaining to specific assets and had three active “sidecar” funds as of December 31, 2025. A “sidecar” fund is a pooled investment vehicle through which certain investors co-invest directly in specific assets alongside our private funds. Except as required by law or as specified in a “sidecar” fund’s governing documents, the investors in the “sidecar” funds take no part in the conduct or control of the business of the “sidecar” funds, have no right or authority to act for or bind the “sidecar” funds, have limited visibility and input into the actions and decisions of the general partner or manager of the “sidecar” funds and have no influence over the voting or disposition of the securities or other assets held by the “sidecar” funds. Our interest in the “sidecar” funds is generally limited to the opportunity to earn incentive fees, if any. The discussion of our private funds ignores “sidecar” funds unless specifically included, and we collapse fund structures into overall strategies, ignoring, for example, onshore and offshore separations and parallel funds.
Statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024
The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes for our Asset Management and Other Services segment for the periods indicated.
| Asset Management and Other Services segment | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Asset management income/(loss) | $ | 36,024 | $ | 44,627 | $ | (8,603) | (19) | % | |||||||
| Other income/(loss) | 617 | 3,051 | (2,434) | (80) | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 36,641 | 47,678 | (11,037) | (23) | % | ||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | 20,472 | 21,901 | (1,429) | (7) | % | ||||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 5,748 | 5,440 | 308 | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 26,220 | 27,341 | (1,121) | (4) | % | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses and other expenses | (326) | — | (326) | NM | |||||||||||
| Total other expenses | (326) | — | (326) | NM | |||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 10,747 | 20,337 | (9,590) | (47) | % |
Total revenues decreased 23% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily driven from lower asset management income, reflecting a decrease in capital provision income earned by BOF-C and, therefore, less profit-sharing income from BOF-C contributing to asset management income for 2025. The decrease in total revenues was partially offset by the performance fee income from the Advantage Fund.
Total operating expenses decreased 4% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily due to a decrease in compensation and benefits costs.
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As a result of the factors described above, income before income taxes decreased 47% for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Asset management income
Asset management income is generally categorized as either (i) management fees, which are recurring fees paid to Burford for investment management services and typically being a rate of 2% or less charged on the basis of some component of assets under management in each fund, (ii) profit sharing income, which represents income from bespoke profit-sharing agreements with third-party investors, such as our strategic sovereign wealth fund partner or (iii) performance fees, which are fees paid to Burford contingent on satisfying certain performance thresholds as designated by each fund waterfall. The timing of the recognition of performance fees is variable as they are recognized when a reliable estimate of the performance fees can be made, and it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The maturity and the terms of the applicable distribution waterfall for each of our private funds impacts this timing.
The table below sets forth the components of our asset management income for the periods indicated.
| Asset Management and Other Services segment | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Management fee income | $ | 5,112 | $ | 6,840 | $ | (1,728) | (25) | % | |||||||
| Performance fee income | 18,700 | 1,500 | 17,200 | NM | |||||||||||
| Profit sharing income from private funds | 12,212 | 36,287 | (24,075) | (66) | % | ||||||||||
| Total asset management income | 36,024 | 44,627 | (8,603) | (19) | % |
Asset management income decreased 19% for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily due to lower profit-sharing income from BOF-C, reflecting a decrease in capital provision income earned by BOF-C, partially offset by the performance fee income from the Advantage Fund. Starting December 1, 2025, the management fee rate for the remaining active fund, BOF, dropped from 2.0% to 0.5% per annum.
Statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024
The table below sets forth the components of our consolidated statements of financial condition for our Asset Management and Other Services segment as of the dates indicated.
| Asset Management and Other Services segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 21,666 | $ | 12,650 | $ | 9,016 | 71 | % | |||||||
| Other assets | 167,309 | 151,770 | 15,539 | 10 | % | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 215,004 | 190,377 | 24,627 | 13 | % |
Total assets increased 13% as of December 31, 2025, driven by an increase in receivables from our private funds and the acquisition of an equity method investment. The increase in receivables from our private funds includes the related receivable of the performance fee income from the Advantage Fund, partially offset by a decrease in the outstanding receivable from BOF-C, resulting from the decrease in capital provision income for BOF-C during the year.
Portfolio value – Asset Management and Other Services segment
The table below sets forth the components of our portfolio for our Asset Management and Other Services segment as of the dates indicated.
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| Asset Management and Other Services segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision assets - funded by third parties | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | $ | 1,151,341 | $ | 1,353,893 | $ | (202,552) | (15) | % | |||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 410,339 | 491,186 | (80,847) | (16) | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 1,561,680 | 1,845,079 | (283,399) | (15) | % | ||||||||||
| Post-settlement | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | 200,206 | 272,424 | (72,218) | (27) | % | ||||||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 20,005 | 67,961 | (47,956) | (71) | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 220,211 | 340,385 | (120,174) | (35) | % | ||||||||||
| Total portfolio value | 1,781,891 | 2,185,464 | (403,573) | (18) | % |
Total portfolio value, funded by third parties, decreased 18% as of December 31, 2025. The decrease in our total portfolio was driven largely by the impact of realizations which occurred in 2025, without offsetting new deployments in certain private funds for which the investment period has ended.
Private funds
As of December 31, 2025, we operated eight private funds and three “sidecar” funds as an investment adviser registered with, and regulated by, the SEC. The table below sets forth key statistics for each of our private funds as of December 31, 2025.
| December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investor | Asset | Asset | Fee structure(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| commitments | commitments | deployments | (management/ | Investment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | Strategy(6) | closed | to date | to date | AUM | performance) | Waterfall | period (end) | ||||||||||||||||
| BCIM Partners II, LP(2) | Core legal finance | $ | 260 | $ | 253 | $ | 189 | $ | 126 | Class A: 2%/20%; Class B: 0%/50% | European | 12/15/2015 | ||||||||||||
| BCIM Partners III, LP | Core legal finance | 412 | 447 | 335 | 421 | 2%/20% | European | 1/1/2020(3) | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Opportunity Fund LP & Burford Opportunity Fund B LP (BOF) | Core legal finance | 300 | 404 | 311 | 348 | 0.5%/20% | European | 12/31/2021(4) | ||||||||||||||||
| BCIM Credit Opportunities, LP (COLP) | Post-settlement | 488 | 699 | 695 | 390 | 1% on undrawn/ 2% on funded and 20% incentive | European | 9/30/2019(3) | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Alternative Income Fund LP (BAIF)(2) | Post-settlement | 327 | 678 | 664 | 255 | 1.5%/10% | European | 4/4/2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Alternative Income Fund II LP (BAIF II) | Post-settlement | 350 | 380 | 336 | 391 | 1.5%/12.5% | European | 9/11/2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Advantage Master Fund LP (Advantage Fund) | Lower risk legal finance | 360 | 370 | 368 | 284 | 0%/Profit split(5) | American | 12/24/2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Opportunity Fund C LP (BOF-C)(2) | Core legal finance | 766 | 1,303 | 846 | 957 | Expense reimbursement + profit split | Hybrid | 12/31/2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,263 | 4,534 | 3,744 | 3,172 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Management fees are paid to BCIM for investment management and advisory services provided to our private funds. The management fee rates set forth in the table above are annualized and applied to an asset or commitment base that typically varies between a private fund’s investment period and any subsequent periods in the fund term. We no longer earn any management fees from BCIM Partners II, LP, BCIM Partners III, LP, COLP and BAIF. As of September 2025, we also no longer earn any management fees from BAIF II. Performance fees represent carried interest applied to distributions to a private fund’s limited partners after the return of capital contributions and preferred returns. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Includes amounts related to “sidecar” funds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. Ceased commitments to new legal finance assets in the fourth quarter of 2018 due to capacity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. Ceased commitments to new legal finance assets in the fourth quarter of 2020 due to capacity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5. The Advantage Fund does not have a traditional management and performance fee structure, but instead provides the first 10% of annual simple returns to the fund investors while we retain any excess returns. However, if the Advantage Fund produces returns in excess of 18% (which are supranormal for this level of risk), a level of sharing with the fund investors would take effect, but we do not expect that to occur. |
As of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, our total AUM was $3.2 billion and $3.5 billion respectively. AUM reflects the fair value of the capital invested in private funds and individual capital vehicles plus the capital that we are entitled to call from investors in those private funds and vehicles. The total portfolio value shown for our Asset Management & Other Services segment of $1.8 billion reflects the fair value of portfolio assets plus the undrawn commitments to portfolio assets, and also excludes the balance sheet’s interest in the Advantage Fund, which is reflected in the portfolio value for our Principal Finance segment.
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Liquidity and capital resources
Overview
The table below sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third-party | segments | Third-party | segments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | interests | (Burford-only) | Consolidated | interests | (Burford-only) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 566,437 | $ | (35,246) | $ | 531,191 | $ | 469,930 | $ | (28,269) | $ | 441,661 | |||||||||||
| Marketable securities | 89,486 | — | 89,486 | 79,020 | — | 79,020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 655,923 | (35,246) | 620,677 | 548,950 | — | (28,269) | 520,681 |
On both a consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) bases, our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities increased 19% as of December 31, 2025. The net increase in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities for both the consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) bases, primarily reflects the issuance of the 2033 Notes, partially offset by the redemption of the 2025 Bonds. For the consolidated basis, the net increase in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities was also partially offset by the impact from third-party net distributions.
Our marketable securities primarily consist of short-duration and generally investment-grade fixed income assets, the bulk of which are held in separately managed accounts, managed by a third-party asset manager that specializes in short-duration and money market investments.
Debt
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we issued the 2033 Notes and redeemed in full the remaining 2025 Bonds, which matured on August 12, 2025. As of December 31, 2025, we had five series of debt securities outstanding, of which one series was listed on the Order Book for Retail Bonds of the London Stock Exchange and four series were issued through private placement transactions under Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act. See note 12 (Debt) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to our outstanding debt securities.
We manage our business with relatively low levels of leverage and have laddered debt maturities with an overall weighted average maturity in excess of the expected weighted average life of our legal finance assets. As of December 31, 2025, the weighted average maturity of our outstanding debt securities of 4.7 years continued to be longer than the weighted average life of our concluded assets, weighted by realizations, of 2.6 years.
Going forward, we expect to continue to be an opportunistic issuer of debt securities and may issue new debt securities from time to time to fund our growth or refinance future debt maturities, among other things. In addition, from time to time, we may acquire our debt securities through open market purchases, redemptions, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as we may from time to time determine, for cash or other consideration.
Our debt securities that were listed on the Order Book for Retail Bonds of the London Stock Exchange as of December 31, 2025 (which were subsequently redeemed prior to the date of this 2025 Form 10-K) contain one significant financial covenant, which is a leverage ratio requirement that we maintain a level of Group Net Debt (as defined in the trust deed governing such debt securities, and generally equivalent to our consolidated net debt, or our total principal amount of debt outstanding less cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities) that is less than 50% of our Group Total Assets (as defined in the trust deed governing such debt securities, and generally equivalent to our consolidated tangible assets, or our total assets less goodwill). As of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, our consolidated net debt to consolidated tangible assets ratio was 23% and 20%, respectively. In addition, the indentures governing the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes contain certain restrictive covenants that, among other things, require us to have a Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes, as applicable) of less than 1.50 to 1.00, 1.75 to 1.00 or 2.00 to 1.00, as applicable, to use certain specified “baskets” in order to undertake specific actions, such as making restricted payments or permitted investments or incurring additional indebtedness. As of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, our Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio was 0.9 to 1.00 and 0.8 to 1.00, respectively. Furthermore, the indentures governing the 2031 Notes and the 2033 Notes contain certain restrictive covenants that, among other things, require us to have a Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio (as defined in the indentures governing the 2031 Notes and the 2033 Notes) of less than 1.50 to 1.00, 1.75 to 1.00 or 2.00 to 1.00, as applicable, to use certain specified “baskets” in order to
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undertake specific actions, such as making restricted payments or permitted investments or incurring additional indebtedness. As of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, our Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio was 0.8 to 1.00 and 0.7 to 1.00, respectively, with respect to the 2031 Notes and 0.8 to 1.00 and none, respectively, with respect to the 2033 Notes. See “—Reconciliations—Debt leverage ratio calculations” for the calculations of our debt leverage ratios. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the trust deed and the indentures, as applicable.
We are required to provide certain information pursuant to the indentures governing the 2028 Notes, the 2030 Notes, the 2031 Notes, the 2033 Notes and the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes”), which
were issued in January 2026. 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) us and our Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes, the 2030 Notes, the 2031 Notes, the 2033 Notes and the 2034 Notes, as applicable) and (ii) our Unrestricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes, the 2030 Notes, the 2031 Notes, the 2033 Notes and the 2034 Notes, as applicable). The tables below do not include the 2034 Notes or the redemption in full of the 5.000% Bonds due 2026 (the “2026 Bonds”). See note 23 (Subsequent events) to our consolidated financial statements for additional information with respect to the issuance of the 2034 Notes and redemption in full of the 2026 Bonds.
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Burford Capital Limited and its Restricted Subsidiaries | |||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,941,410 | $ | 5,335,289 | |||
| Third-party indebtedness | 2,127,829 | 1,763,612 | |||||
| Unrestricted Subsidiaries | |||||||
| Total assets | 699,762 | 839,736 | |||||
| Third-party indebtedness | — | — |
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (S in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Burford Capital Limited and its Restricted Subsidiaries | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 382,796 | $ | 460,352 | $ | 973,461 | |||||
| Unrestricted Subsidiaries | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 30,564 | 85,735 | 113,441 |
Cash flows
We believe our available cash and cash from operations, which include proceeds from our capital provision assets, will be adequate to fund our operations and future growth, satisfy our working capital requirements, meet obligations under our debt securities, pay dividends and meet other liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future.
Set forth below is a discussion of our cash flows for the periods indicated on a consolidated basis, unless noted otherwise.
The table below sets forth the components of our cash flows for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | $ | (29,014) | $ | 216,725 | |||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities | (8,799) | (661) | |||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities | 132,415 | 33,832 | |||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 94,602 | 249,896 |
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Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
The table below sets forth the components of our net cash provided/(used) by operating activities for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities before proceeds/(funding) of operating activities | $ | (164,965) | $ | (252,056) | |||
| Net proceeds from/(funding of) marketable securities | (1,938) | 32,577 | |||||
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | 740,376 | 991,292 | |||||
| Funding of capital provision assets | (602,487) | (555,088) | |||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | (29,014) | 216,725 |
Net cash used in operating activities was $29.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. The year-over-year change in net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities reflects primarily lower proceeds received from capital provision assets.
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. The year-over-year change in net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities was primarily due to the acquisition of an equity method investment.
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $132.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. The year-over-year change in net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities was primarily due to the issuance of the 2033 Notes in 2025, partially offset by the redemption of the 2025 Bonds.
Cash receipts (non-GAAP financial measure)
Cash receipts represent cash generated during the reporting period from our capital provision assets, asset
management income and certain other items, before any deployments into financing existing or new assets. See “— Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—Non-GAAP financial measures—Cash receipts” for additional information with respect to our cash receipts. See “—Cash flows” for a discussion of our cash flows on a consolidated basis prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
The table below sets forth the components of our cash receipts for the periods indicated on a Burford-only basis.
| Burford-only (non-GAAP) | Years ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | $ | 473,527 | $ | 648,477 | |||
| Proceeds from asset management income | 32,467 | 26,491 | |||||
| Proceeds from other items(1) | 24,132 | 24,179 | |||||
| Cash receipts | 530,126 | 699,147 | |||||
| 1. See “—Reconciliations—Cash receipts reconciliations” for additional information with respect to the components of this line item. |
On a Burford-only basis, our cash receipts decreased 24% for the year ended December 31, 2025, reflecting primarily lower cash receipts from realizations during 2025 as compared to 2024. In addition, during 2025 we had lower collections on the due from settlement of capital provision assets receivable that was outstanding as of December 31, 2024 as compared to our collections in 2024 on the due from settlement of capital provision assets receivable that was outstanding as of December 31, 2023. Of the $183.7 million of due from settlement receivables as of December 31, 2024, 73% was collected in cash during 2025.
See “—Reconciliations—Cash receipts reconciliation” for a reconciliation of cash receipts to proceeds from capital provision assets, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
Dividends
The table below sets forth our dividend payments during the year ended December 31, 2025.
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| ($ in cents) | Cash dividend per ordinary share | Payment Date | Record Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 final dividend | 6.25 | June 13, 2025 | May 23, 2025 | ||||
| 2025 interim dividend | 6.25 | December 4, 2025 | October 31, 2025 | ||||
| Total dividend payments made during the year ended December 31, 2025 | 12.50 |
On February 25, 2026, the Board of Directors has declared, subject to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting to be held on May 13, 2026, a final dividend of 6.25¢ per ordinary share to be paid on June 12, 2026 to our shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 22, 2026.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had off-balance sheet arrangements relating to legal finance assets with structured entities that aggregate claims from multiple parties in the amount of $23.4 million and $4.8 million, respectively. See note 15 (Variable interest entities) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to structured entities.
Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires our
management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of capital provision assets. Our management bases these estimates and judgments on available information, historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, these estimates, judgments and assumptions are often subjective and may be impacted negatively based on changing circumstances or changes in our analyses. We believe that our critical accounting policies could potentially produce materially different results if we were to change underlying estimates, judgments and/or assumptions.
Set forth below are certain aspects of our critical accounting policy. For a full discussion of this critical accounting policy and other significant accounting policies, see note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K.
Fair value of capital provision assets
The determination of fair value for capital provision assets and financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets involves significant estimates and judgments. While the potential range of outcomes for the assets is wide, our fair value estimation is our best assessment of the current fair value of each asset or liability. Such an estimate is inherently subjective, being based largely on management’s estimate of forecasted cash flows, an assigned discount rate and an assessment of how individual events have changed the possible outcomes of the asset 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 our management’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. See note 14 (Fair value of assets and liabilities) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K and “—Fair value of capital provision assets” for additional information with respect to fair value.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, should management’s estimate of the value of those instruments have been 10% higher or lower, as applicable, than provided for in our fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, our consolidated income and net assets would have increased and decreased, respectively, by $491.1 million and $466.3 million, respectively.
Furthermore, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, should interest rates have been 50 or 100 basis points lower or higher, as applicable, than the actual interest rates used in the fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, the Group’s consolidated income and net assets and the Principal Finance segment’s income and net assets would have increased or decreased, respectively, by the amounts set forth below.
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| Consolidated | December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| +100 bps interest rates | $ | (166,466) | $ | (153,241) | |||
| +50 bps interest rates | (83,662) | (77,644) | |||||
| -50 bps interest rates | 87,423 | 78,514 | |||||
| -100 bps interest rates | 175,812 | 159,169 |
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| +100 bps interest rates | $ | (124,625) | $ | (109,132) | |||
| +50 bps interest rates | (62,755) | (55,276) | |||||
| -50 bps interest rates | 65,276 | 56,046 | |||||
| -100 bps interest rates | 131,524 | 113,583 |
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, should duration have been six or 12 months lower or higher, as applicable, than the actual duration used in the fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, the Group’s consolidated income and net assets and the Principal Finance segment’s income and net assets would have increased or decreased, respectively, by the amounts set forth below.
| Consolidated | December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| +12 months duration(1) | $ | (422,303) | $ | (396,845) | |||
| +6 months duration(1) | (229,491) | (200,908) | |||||
| -6 months duration(1) | 199,038 | 196,721 | |||||
| -12 months duration(1) | 383,172 | 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 consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to the valuation methodology for Level 3 assets. |
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| +12 months duration(1) | $ | (299,693) | $ | (268,484) | |||
| +6 months duration(1) | (161,827) | (135,827) | |||||
| -6 months duration(1) | 143,208 | 133,446 | |||||
| -12 months duration(1) | 278,437 | 280,636 | |||||
| 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 consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K 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 our consolidated income and net assets because the fluctuation in our effective tax rate from period to period could indicate changes in sensitivity not driven by the valuation that we consider difficult to follow and detract from the comparability of this information.
Contractual obligations
Our material contractual obligations consist of financial liabilities relating to (i) definitive commitments to financing arrangements, (ii) debt securities and related interest payments, (iii) operating leases and (iv) third-party interests in capital provision assets. See note 20 (Financial commitments and contingent liabilities) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to our contractual obligations. See “—Segments—Principal Finance segment—Undrawn commitments – Principal Finance segment” and “—Segments—Asset Management and Other Services segment—Portfolio value – Asset Management and Other Services segment” for information with respect to our undrawn commitments.
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Recent accounting standards updates
See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K for further information.
Reconciliations
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of (i) the consolidated operating expenses to total segments (Burford-only) operating expenses for the periods indicated and (ii) the consolidated statements of financial condition to total segments (Burford-only) statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated. See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—Non-GAAP financial measures relating to our business structure” for additional information.
The first column in the tables below sets forth our results of operations on a consolidated basis as reported in our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP. These results of operations include investments in a number of entities that are not wholly owned subsidiaries of Burford Capital Limited and, therefore, contain third-party capital, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds, prior to its liquidation in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Strategic Value Fund, and other entities. The presentation of our results of operations on a consolidated basis requires a line-by-line consolidation of 100% of each non-wholly owned entity’s assets and liabilities. The portion of the net assets that is attributable to the third-party interests are then presented separately as single line items within the consolidated statements of financial condition. We believe it is helpful to exclude the interests of investors other than Burford in our discussion of our results of operations, and we have therefore, as an alternative presentation, excluded from our presentation of our results of operations the non-Burford portion of the individual assets and liabilities relating to such third-party capital. The reconciliations eliminate the line-by-line consolidation of all the applicable entities’ individual assets and liabilities required by US GAAP to present Burford’s investment in the non-wholly owned entities and Burford’s share of the gain or loss earned on such investment.
Reconciliations of consolidated operating expenses to total segments (Burford-only) operating expenses
The table below sets forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated operating expenses to total segments (Burford-only) operating expenses for the periods indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | |||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | $ | 48,444 | $ | — | $ | 48,444 | |||||
| Annual incentive compensation | 22,335 | — | 22,335 | ||||||||
| Share-based and deferred compensation | 13,841 | — | 13,841 | ||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation including accruals | 43,622 | — | 43,622 | ||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 38,362 | (313) | 38,049 | ||||||||
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 14,645 | (7,377) | 7,268 | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 181,249 | (7,690) | 173,559 | ||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | |||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | $ | 42,418 | $ | — | $ | 42,418 | |||||
| Annual incentive compensation | 29,210 | — | 29,210 | ||||||||
| Share-based and deferred compensation | 8,822 | — | 8,822 | ||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation including accruals | 43,209 | — | 43,209 | ||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 31,025 | (573) | 30,452 | ||||||||
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 801 | (1,858) | (1,057) | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 155,485 | (2,431) | 153,054 |
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Reconciliations of consolidated statements of financial condition to total segments (Burford-only) statements of financial condition
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of consolidated statements of financial condition to total segments (Burford-only) statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 566,437 | $ | (35,246) | $ | 531,191 | |||||
| Marketable securities | 89,486 | — | 89,486 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 73,743 | 117,914 | 191,657 | ||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 164,804 | — | 164,804 | ||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,609,949 | (1,697,755) | 3,912,194 | ||||||||
| Goodwill | 134,020 | — | 134,020 | ||||||||
| Deferred tax asset | 2,733 | — | 2,733 | ||||||||
| Total assets | 6,641,172 | (1,615,087) | 5,026,085 | ||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Debt interest payable | 60,033 | — | 60,033 | ||||||||
| Other liabilities | 191,606 | (76,888) | 114,718 | ||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation payable | 228,366 | — | 228,366 | ||||||||
| Debt payable | 2,127,829 | — | 2,127,829 | ||||||||
| Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets | 858,491 | (858,491) | — | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | 47,117 | — | 47,117 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | 3,513,442 | (935,379) | 2,578,063 | ||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | 3,127,730 | (679,708) | 2,448,022 |
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 469,930 | $ | (28,269) | $ | 441,661 | |||||
| Marketable securities | 79,020 | — | 79,020 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 61,006 | 114,475 | 175,481 | ||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 183,858 | (207) | 183,651 | ||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,243,917 | (1,672,693) | 3,571,224 | ||||||||
| Goodwill | 133,948 | — | 133,948 | ||||||||
| Deferred tax asset | 3,346 | — | 3,346 | ||||||||
| Total assets | 6,175,025 | (1,586,694) | 4,588,331 | ||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Debt interest payable | 12,097 | — | 12,097 | ||||||||
| Other liabilities | 141,973 | (2,238) | 139,735 | ||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation payable | 217,552 | — | 217,552 | ||||||||
| Debt payable | 1,763,612 | — | 1,763,612 | ||||||||
| Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets | 747,053 | (747,053) | — | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | 35,903 | — | 35,903 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | 2,918,190 | (749,291) | 2,168,899 | ||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | 3,256,835 | (837,403) | 2,419,432 |
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Reconciliations of capital provision assets
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period and unrealized fair value as of the end of period to total segments (Burford-only) capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period and unrealized fair value as of the end of period, in each case, for the periods indicated.
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Beginning of period | $ | 5,243,917 | $ | (1,672,693) | $ | 3,571,224 | |||||
| Deployments | 602,487 | (145,729) | 456,758 | ||||||||
| Realizations | (710,496) | 266,642 | (443,854) | ||||||||
| Income for the period | 446,181 | (144,306) | 301,875 | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 27,860 | (1,669) | 26,191 | ||||||||
| End of period | 5,609,949 | (1,697,755) | 3,912,194 | ||||||||
| Deployed cost, end of period | 2,498,463 | (640,630) | 1,857,833 | ||||||||
| Unrealized fair value, end of period | 3,111,486 | (1,057,125) | 2,054,361 | ||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,609,949 | (1,697,755) | 3,912,194 |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Beginning of period | $ | 5,045,388 | $ | (1,613,276) | $ | 3,432,112 | |||||
| Deployments | 555,088 | (155,776) | 399,312 | ||||||||
| Realizations | (907,042) | 260,166 | (646,876) | ||||||||
| Income for the period | 567,646 | (164,471) | 403,175 | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | (17,163) | 664 | (16,499) | ||||||||
| End of period | 5,243,917 | (1,672,693) | 3,571,224 | ||||||||
| Deployed cost, end of period | 2,341,377 | (668,784) | 1,672,593 | ||||||||
| Unrealized fair value, end of period | 2,902,540 | (1,003,909) | 1,898,631 | ||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,243,917 | (1,672,693) | 3,571,224 |
Reconciliations of capital provision income
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated capital provision income to total segments (Burford-only) capital provision income for the periods indicated.
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Net realized gains/(losses) | $ | 260,592 | $ | (102,848) | $ | 157,744 | |||||
| Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 185,589 | (41,458) | 144,131 | ||||||||
| Income/(loss) on capital provision assets | 446,181 | (144,306) | 301,875 | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 20,145 | (1,570) | 18,575 | ||||||||
| Net income/(loss) on due from settlement of capital provision assets | 10,391 | — | 10,391 | ||||||||
| Other income/(loss) | 96 | — | 96 | ||||||||
| Total capital provision income | 476,813 | (145,876) | 330,937 |
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| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Net realized gains/(losses) | $ | 439,665 | $ | (112,491) | $ | 327,174 | |||||
| Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 127,981 | (51,980) | 76,001 | ||||||||
| Income/(loss) on capital provision assets | 567,646 | (164,471) | 403,175 | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | (15,701) | 529 | (15,172) | ||||||||
| Net income/(loss) on due from settlement of capital provision assets | 2,704 | — | 2,704 | ||||||||
| Net gains/(losses) on financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss | (2,583) | — | (2,583) | ||||||||
| Total capital provision income | 552,066 | (163,942) | 388,124 |
Reconciliations of due from settlement of capital provision assets
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated due from settlement of capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period to total segments (Burford-only) due from settlement of capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period for the periods indicated.
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Beginning of period | $ | 183,858 | $ | (207) | $ | 183,651 | |||||
| Transfer of realizations from capital provision assets | 710,496 | (266,642) | 443,854 | ||||||||
| Other income/(loss) | 10,391 | — | 10,391 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | (740,376) | 266,849 | (473,527) | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 435 | — | 435 | ||||||||
| End of period | 164,804 | — | 164,804 |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Beginning of period | $ | 265,540 | $ | (80,273) | $ | 185,267 | |||||
| Transfer of realizations from capital provision assets | 907,042 | (260,166) | 646,876 | ||||||||
| Other income/(loss) | 2,704 | — | 2,704 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | (991,292) | 340,232 | (651,060) | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | (136) | — | (136) | ||||||||
| End of period | 183,858 | (207) | 183,651 |
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Reconciliations of capital provision undrawn commitments
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of the consolidated capital provision undrawn commitments to total segments (Burford-only) capital provision undrawn commitments as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Definitive | $ | 1,269,708 | $ | (161,649) | $ | 1,108,059 | |||||
| Discretionary | 793,533 | (165,507) | 628,026 | ||||||||
| Legal risk (definitive) | 47,235 | — | 47,235 | ||||||||
| Total capital provision undrawn commitments | 2,110,476 | (327,156) | 1,783,320 |
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Definitive | $ | 962,808 | $ | (189,135) | $ | 773,673 | |||||
| Discretionary | 1,032,433 | (214,568) | 817,865 | ||||||||
| Legal risk (definitive) | 41,318 | — | 41,318 | ||||||||
| Total capital provision undrawn commitments | 2,036,559 | (403,703) | 1,632,856 |
Reconciliations of asset management income
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated asset management income to total segments (Burford-only) asset management income for the periods indicated.
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | Year ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | |||||||||||||||||
| Management fee income | $ | 5,112 | $ | — | $ | 5,112 | $ | 6,840 | $ | — | $ | 6,840 | |||||||||||
| Performance fee income | 1,200 | 17,500 | 18,700 | 1,500 | — | 1,500 | |||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing income from funds | — | 12,212 | 12,212 | — | 36,287 | 36,287 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total asset management income | 6,312 | 29,712 | 36,024 | 8,340 | 36,287 | 44,627 |
Deployments reconciliations
The table below sets forth the reconciliations of the components of consolidated deployments to Burford-only deployments for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Consolidated deployments | $ | 602,487 | $ | 555,088 | |||
| Plus/(Less): Third-party interests | (145,729) | (155,776) | |||||
| Total segments (Burford-only) total deployments | 456,758 | 399,312 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Capital deployed to fund level but not yet invested | (783) | (709) | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Capital deployed in prior years and invested in the current year | 74 | 50 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 3,107 | 1,549 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Deployments on behalf of subparticipations | — | 512 | |||||
| Adjusted Burford-only total deployments | 459,156 | 400,714 |
See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—KPIs” and “Certain terms used in this 2025 Form 10-K” for additional information with respect to certain terms useful for the understanding of our deployments information and “—Segments—Principal Finance segment—Portfolio value – Principal Finance segment” for additional information with respect to our deployments.
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Realizations reconciliations
The table below sets forth the reconciliations of the components of consolidated realizations to Burford-only realizations for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Consolidated realizations | $ | 710,496 | $ | 907,042 | |||
| Plus/(Less): Third-party interests | (266,642) | (260,166) | |||||
| Total segments (Burford-only) total realizations | 443,854 | 646,876 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Realizations from other income on due from settlement of capital provision assets | 10,391 | 2,704 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Loss from financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | — | (2,583) | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Reported realizations held at joint venture and not yet distributed | 4,008 | 6,520 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Reported realizations held at fund level and not yet distributed | 13,218 | 840 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Prior period realizations held at fund level and distributed in the current period | (13,233) | (13,233) | |||||
| Adjusted Burford-only total realizations | 458,238 | 641,124 |
See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—KPIs” and “Certain terms used in this 2025 Form 10-K” for additional information with respect to certain terms useful for the understanding of our realizations information and “—Segments—Principal Finance segment—Portfolio value – Principal Finance segment” for additional information with respect to our realizations.
Cash receipts reconciliations
The table below sets forth the reconciliations of Burford-only cash receipts to consolidated cash receipts, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP, for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Consolidated proceeds from capital provision assets | $ | 740,376 | $ | 991,292 | |||
| Less: Third-party interests | (266,849) | (340,232) | |||||
| Total segments (Burford-only) proceeds from capital provision assets | 473,527 | 651,060 | |||||
| Plus: Loss on financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | — | (2,583) | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from capital provision assets | 473,527 | 648,477 | |||||
| Consolidated asset management income | 6,312 | 8,340 | |||||
| Plus: Eliminated income from funds | 29,712 | 36,287 | |||||
| Total segments (Burford-only) asset management income | 36,024 | 44,627 | |||||
| Less: Non-cash adjustments(1) | (3,557) | (18,136) | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from asset management income | 32,467 | 26,491 | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from marketable securities interest and dividends | 20,868 | 20,554 | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from other income | 3,264 | 3,625 | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from other items | 24,132 | 24,179 | |||||
| Cash receipts | 530,126 | 699,147 | |||||
| 1. Adjustments for the change in asset management receivables accrued during the applicable period but not yet received as of the end of such period. |
See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—Non-GAAP financial measures” and “—Liquidity and capital resources—Cash receipts” for additional information with respect to cash receipts.
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Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share reconciliations
The table below sets forth the reconciliations of tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share to total Burford Capital Limited equity, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP, as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands, except share data) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Burford Capital Limited equity | $ | 2,448,022 | $ | 2,419,432 | |||
| Less: Goodwill | (134,020) | (133,948) | |||||
| Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited | 2,314,002 | 2,285,484 | |||||
| Basic ordinary shares outstanding | 218,897,440 | 219,421,904 | |||||
| Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share | 10.57 | 10.42 |
See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—Non-GAAP financial measures” for additional information with respect to tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share.
Debt leverage ratio calculations
Consolidated net debt to consolidated tangible assets ratio calculation
The table below sets forth the calculations of consolidated net debt to consolidated tangible assets ratio as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Total principal amount of debt outstanding(1) | $ | 2,153,641 | $ | 1,783,690 | |||
| Plus: Derivative liabilities | — | — | |||||
| Less: Cash and cash equivalents | (566,437) | (469,930) | |||||
| Less: Marketable securities | (89,486) | (79,020) | |||||
| Consolidated net debt | 1,497,718 | 1,234,740 | |||||
| Total assets | 6,641,172 | 6,175,025 | |||||
| Less: Goodwill | (134,020) | (133,948) | |||||
| Consolidated tangible assets | 6,507,152 | 6,041,077 | |||||
| Consolidated net debt to consolidated tangible assets ratio | 23 | % | 20 | % | |||
| 1. Represents the total principal amount of debt outstanding as set forth in note 12 (Debt) to our condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this 2025 Form 10-K. Debt securities denominated in pound sterling have been converted to US dollar using GBP/USD exchange rates of $1.3491 and $1.2529 as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. |
See “—Liquidity and capital resources—Debt” for additional information with respect to our debt securities.
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Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio calculation
The table below sets forth the calculations of Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes, as applicable) as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Debt payable | $ | 2,127,829 | $ | 1,763,612 | |||
| Plus: Derivative liabilities | — | — | |||||
| Less: Debt attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | — | — | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness | 2,127,829 | 1,763,612 | |||||
| Total equity | 3,127,730 | 3,256,835 | |||||
| Less: Equity attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | (683,091) | (822,492) | |||||
| Less: Goodwill | (134,020) | (133,948) | |||||
| Net Tangible Equity | 2,310,619 | 2,300,395 | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio | 0.92x | 0.77x |
See “—Liquidity and capital resources—Debt” for additional information with respect to our debt securities.
Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio calculation
The table below sets forth the calculations of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio (as defined in the indenture governing the 2031 Notes) as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Debt payable | $ | 2,127,829 | $ | 1,763,612 | |||
| Plus: Derivative liabilities | — | — | |||||
| Less: Debt attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | — | — | |||||
| Less: The lesser of specified cash and cash equivalent or $100 million | (100,000) | (100,000) | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness | 2,027,829 | 1,663,612 | |||||
| Total equity | 3,127,730 | 3,256,835 | |||||
| Less: Equity attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | (683,091) | (822,492) | |||||
| Consolidated Equity | 2,444,639 | 2,434,343 | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio | 0.83x | 0.68x |
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The table below sets forth the calculations of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio (as defined in the indenture governing the 2033 Notes) as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Debt payable | $ | 2,127,829 | $ | — | |||
| Plus: Derivative liabilities | — | — | |||||
| Less: Debt attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | — | — | |||||
| Less: The lesser of specified cash and cash equivalent or $135 million | (135,000) | — | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness | 1,992,829 | — | |||||
| Total equity | 3,127,730 | — | |||||
| Less: Equity attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | (683,091) | — | |||||
| Consolidated Equity | 2,444,639 | — | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio | 0.82x | — |
See “—Liquidity and capital resources—Debt” for additional information with respect to our debt securities.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001714174-25-000055.
Item 7. Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained elsewhere in this 2024 Form 10-K.
Beginning for the year ended December 31, 2024, Burford renamed its capital provision segment to Principal Finance and allocated revenue, expenses and assets from other corporate to the two reportable segments, since the amounts relating to certain operating and non-operating activities previously presented as other corporate forms part of what is used internally to measure and evaluate the performance of the reportable segments. As a result of this change, we also recast certain previously reported amounts to conform with the change in allocation of revenue, expenses and assets to each reportable segment. As we did not consider this to be a material change and there was no change to our total segments (Burford-only) (as defined below) numbers, we did not deem it necessary to include herein any discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Burford for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Certain information contained in the following discussion and analysis includes forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. See “Forward-looking statements”.
The following discussion and analysis also contain a discussion of certain unaudited KPIs (as defined below) and non-GAAP financial measures that are used by management to monitor our financial condition and results of operations. These KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to, our consolidated financial condition or results of operations as reported under US GAAP. See “—Basis of presentation of financial information” and “—Reconciliations” for additional information with respect to KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures and the applicable reconciliations.
The discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of Burford for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, can be found in the “Operating and financial review and prospects” section of our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2024.
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Economic and market conditions
Our portfolio returns are driven by judicial activity, and we believe these returns are generally uncorrelated to market conditions or the performance of the overall economy. The most direct impact of economic and market conditions on our business relates to our cost of debt and ease of access to corporate debt capital markets, as well as movements in market rates that cause adjustments to the discount rates applied in the fair value of our assets and impact our quarterly revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP. We believe that we maintain healthy access to corporate debt capital markets, supported by a credit rating from S&P that was upgraded in the third quarter 2024, and a positive rating outlook status from Moody’s as of the date of this 2024 Form-10K. Overall, we believe our business model is particularly resilient to economic and market cycles due to the nature of the assets that drive our revenues and cash flow.
More broadly, economic conditions can have an impact on the amount and type of litigation that we may consider financing. For example, increased rates of corporate insolvencies can lead to opportunities to finance litigation relating to or arising out of insolvencies and bankruptcies; higher interest rates or other forms of economic stress can cause businesses to act illegally (such as to conspire to fix prices), leading to financeable claims; and pressure from shareholders and markets can lead to the commission of securities fraud and other such acts, again leading to financeable claims.
See “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—We are subject to credit risk relating to our various legal finance assets that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity” and “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—Legal, political and economic uncertainty surrounding the effects, severity and duration of public health threats could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity”.
Covid-19
Court systems and other forms of adjudication have returned to functionality in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. In general, court activity has continued to work through the backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and, during the year ended December 31, 2024, we have observed continuing portfolio activity. Nevertheless, some court systems continue to face backlogs, delaying adjudication. Inevitably, some of our matters (and thus our cash realizations from them) in jurisdictions impacted by court backlogs have been slowed by these dynamics. We are often protected on duration risk, however, as many of our assets have time-based terms that increase our absolute returns as time passes, we consider delays to be deferral of income rather than its permanent diminution. We have not seen the discontinuance of any matters.
See “Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and industry—Legal, political and economic uncertainty surrounding the effects, severity and duration of public health threats could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity”.
Inflation
The effect of inflation on our revenues is mitigated to a significant extent by a number of factors, including the high returns generated by capital provision assets and their relatively short weighted average lives. Furthermore, inflationary increases in legal case fees and expenses can increase the size of commitments, deployments and damages sought. Because returns on most of our assets are at least partially based upon a multiple of those fees and expenses, our returns on successful cases should also increase in such circumstances. To the degree that inflation drives higher interest rates and to the extent that pre- and post-judgment interest rates in a particular jurisdiction are tied to market interest rates, higher inflation would result in increases in awards by the relevant courts. The effect of inflation on our expenses would predominantly be through employee costs, which represent the majority of our operating expenses, although a significant portion of compensation-related expenses are performance-based. Our Principal Finance costs include interest expenses associated with our outstanding debt securities, although these are fixed coupon and non-adjustable, regardless of the rate of inflation.
Party solvency
Litigation outcomes stand apart from the remainder of the conventional credit universe because they do not arise as a result of a contractual relationship between the judgment debtor and creditor, unlike essentially all other forms of credit obligation. Thus, for example, for a debtholder to recover on a defaulted debt, there are many steps, typically involving notice, a cure period and usually a subsequent judicial or insolvency proceeding that will generally sweep in other creditors, resulting in a meaningful risk of the debt being impaired or compromised. By contrast, a judgment creditor has immediate and unfettered rights of action, for example, to seize assets and garnish cash flows, meaning that a judgment creditor often has substantial
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leverage and ability to secure payment of a judgment against even a financially distressed judgment debtor as long as the judgment debtor does not seek protection from creditors in a formal insolvency proceeding.
To the extent that the claimant in a matter we are financing becomes insolvent, insolvency proceedings typically provide for the continued prosecution of claims given that the claim is a valuable contingent asset, the recovery of which is in the best interests of the claimant’s stakeholders, and we are often a secured creditor with respect to the litigation we are financing. Nevertheless, a claimant’s insolvency may introduce delay in the underlying litigation while the insolvency process unfolds. To the extent that the defendant in a matter we are financing becomes insolvent, judgment creditors are typically unsecured creditors and the risk to our recovery is dependent on the financial condition of the judgment debtor and the availability of assets for unsecured creditors.
International sanctions on Russian businesses and individuals
The international sanctions imposed on Russian businesses and individuals continue to impact the legal industry. Our legal finance assets in jurisdictions outside Russia that involve claims against entities that might have an ultimate Russian parent or controller (regardless of sanction status) represented in the aggregate $115.0 million (or approximately 2% of total fair value for capital provision assets) as of December 31, 2024 as compared to $111.5 million (or approximately 2% of total fair value for capital provision assets) as of December 31, 2023. There have been no significant changes or developments with respect to the impact of these international sanctions on our business. We are mindful of any sanctions or other issues and work regularly with specialist counsel in the sanctions area (as well as ensuring compliance with all legal requirements, such as anti-money laundering). Where we are required to enforce judgments or awards, even against sanctioned entities, such enforcement tends to be consistent with the goals of international sanctions regimes rather than running afoul of them, and the US Office of Foreign Assets Control and the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation regularly grant licenses to do so. We do not anticipate any adverse material impact on our business from the sanctions regime.
Conflict in Israel and Gaza
As of December 31, 2024, we did not have material assets in Israel and therefore we were not materially impacted, nor do we anticipate any adverse material impact, from the conflict in Israel and Gaza and its effect on neighboring regions.
Basis of presentation of financial information
We report our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, and comparative periods contained in this 2024 Form 10-K in accordance with US GAAP. Our consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars.
Non-GAAP financial measures relating to our business structure
US GAAP requires us to present financial statements that consolidate some of the limited partner interests in private funds we manage as well as assets held on our balance sheet where we have a partner or minority investor. See note 15 (Variable interest entities) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this
2024 Form 10-K for additional information. We refer to this presentation as “consolidated” which refers to assets, liabilities and activities that include those third-party interests, partially owned subsidiaries and special purpose vehicles that we are required to consolidate under US GAAP. As of the date of this 2024 Form 10-K, the major entities where there is also a third-party partner in, or owner of, those entities include BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado and several other entities in which we hold investments where there is also a third-party partner in, or owner of, those entities.
Additionally, we believe it is useful to provide a view of Burford as a stand-alone business (i.e., eliminating the impact of these private funds) by furnishing information on a non-GAAP basis that eliminates the effect of this consolidation. We refer to this basis of presentation as “Burford-only”. Our segment reporting, which conveys the performance of our business across two reportable segments – Principal Finance and Asset Management and Other Services – is presented on a Burford-only basis. We refer to our segment reporting in the aggregate as “Total segments”. Note that we have introduced more prominent segment reporting in our disclosures with the issuance of this 2024 Form 10-K, as we transition to reporting as a US domestic issuer. Disclosures labeled as “Total segments (Burford-only)” in this 2024 Form 10-K are synonymous with similar disclosures labeled as “Burford-only” in prior reporting periods.
In addition to presenting our results on a consolidated basis in accordance with US GAAP, we use Burford-only financial measures, which are calculated and presented using methodologies other than in accordance with US GAAP, to supplement analysis and discussion of our consolidated financial statements. Burford-only financial measures exclude the proportional assets, liabilities and operating results that are attributable to third-party limited partners in our private funds, partners and minority investors. The presentation of
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Burford-only financial measures is consistent with how management measures and assesses the performance of our reportable segments. In addition, for deployments and realizations, we use adjusted Burford-only as a financial measure, which is calculated by adjusting Burford-only for certain items. Accordingly, we believe that Burford-only and adjusted Burford-only financial measures provide valuable and useful information to investors to aid in understanding our performance in addition to our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with US GAAP. See “—Reconciliations” for the reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance
KPIs
This 2024 Form 10-K presents certain unaudited key performance indicators (“KPIs”). The KPIs are presented because (i) we use them to monitor our financial condition and results of operations and/or (ii) we believe they are useful to investors, securities analysts and other interested parties. The KPIs, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures as presented by other companies due to differences in the way the KPIs are calculated. Even though the KPIs are used to assess our financial condition and results of operations, and these types of measures are commonly used by investors, they have important limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to, our consolidated financial condition or results of operations prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Consistent with how management assesses Burford’s business, we also present certain of these KPIs on both a segment and a group-wide bases.
The presentation of the KPIs is for informational purposes only and does not purport to present what our actual financial condition or results of operations would have been, nor does it project our financial condition as of any future date or our results of operations for any future period. The presentation of the KPIs is based on information available as of the date of this 2024 Form 10-K and certain assumptions and estimates that we believe are reasonable. Several of the KPIs measure certain performance of our assets to the end of the period and include concluded and partially concluded assets (as defined below).
In discussing cash returns and performance of our asset management business, we refer to several key performance indicators as set forth below:
▪Assets under management
Consistent with our status as an SEC-registered investment adviser, we report publicly on our asset management business on the basis of US regulatory assets under management (“AUM”). AUM, as we report it, means the fair value of the capital invested in private funds and individual capital vehicles plus the capital that we are entitled to call from investors in those private funds and vehicles pursuant to the terms of their respective capital commitments to those private funds and vehicles. Our AUM differs from our private funds’ contribution to our group-wide portfolio, which consists of deployed cost, fair value adjustments and undrawn commitments made on the legal finance assets those private funds have financed.
▪Concluded and partially concluded assets
A legal finance asset is “concluded” for our purposes when there is no longer any litigation risk remaining. We use the term to encompass (i) entirely concluded legal finance assets where we have received all proceeds to which we are entitled (net of any entirely concluded losses), (ii) partially concluded legal finance assets where we have received some proceeds (for example, from a settlement with one party in a multi-party case) but where the case is continuing with the possibility of receiving additional proceeds and (iii) legal finance assets where the underlying litigation has been resolved and there is a promise to pay proceeds in the future (for example, in a settlement that is to be paid over time).
▪Deployed cost
Deployed cost is the amount of financing we have provided for an asset at the applicable point in time.
For purposes of calculating returns, we must consider how to allocate the costs associated with an asset in the event of a partial conclusion. Our approach to cost allocation depends on the type of asset:
◦When single case assets have partial resolutions along the way without the entire case being resolved, most commonly because one party settles and the remaining part(y)/(ies) continue to litigate, we report the partial resolution when agreed as a partial realization and allocate a
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portion of the deployed cost to the partial resolution depending on the significance of the settling party to the overall claim.
◦In portfolio assets when a case (or part of a case) resolves or generates cash proceeds, we report the partial resolution when agreed as a partial realization and allocate a portion of the deployed cost to the resolution. The allocation depends on the structure of the individual portfolio arrangement and the significance of the resolution to the overall portfolio, but it is in essence a method that mimics the way an investor would allocate cost basis across a portfolio of security purchases.
▪Commitment
A commitment is the amount of financing we agree to provide for a legal finance asset. Commitments can be definitive (requiring us to provide financing on a schedule or, more often, when certain expenses are incurred) or discretionary (allowing us to provide financing after reviewing and approving a future matter). Commitments for which we have not yet provided financing are unfunded commitments.
▪Internal rate of return
Internal rate of return (“IRR”) is a discount rate that makes the net present value of a series of cash flows equal to zero and is expressed as a percentage figure. We compute IRR on concluded (including partially concluded) legal finance assets by treating that entire portfolio (or, when noted, a subset thereof) as one undifferentiated pool of capital and measuring actual and, if necessary, estimated inflows and outflows from that pool, allocating costs appropriately. IRRs do not include unrealized gains or losses.
▪Return on invested capital
Return on invested capital (“ROIC”) from a concluded asset is the absolute amount of realizations from such asset in excess of the amount of expenditure incurred in financing such asset divided by the amount of expenditure incurred, expressed as a percentage figure. ROIC is a measure of our ability to generate absolute returns on our assets. Some industry participants express returns on a multiple of invested capital (“MOIC”) instead of a ROIC basis. MOIC includes the return of capital and, therefore, is 1x higher than ROIC. In other words, 70% ROIC is the same as 1.70x MOIC.
▪Weighted average life
Weighted average life (“WAL”) of one of our legal finance assets represents the average length of time from deployment and/or cash outlay until we receive a cash realization (actual or, if necessary, estimated) from that asset weighted by the amount of that realization or deployment, as applicable. In other words, WAL is how long our asset is outstanding on average.
Unlike our IRR and ROIC calculations, using the aggregate cash flows from the portfolio in making our portfolio level computations will not readily work with WAL computations because our assets are originated in different timeframes. Instead, in calculating a portfolio WAL, we compute a weighted average of the individual asset WALs. In doing this, we weight the individual WALs by the costs deployed on the asset and also, as a separate calculation, by the amount of realizations on the individual assets.
▪Portfolio
Portfolio is defined as the fair value of capital provision assets plus the undrawn commitments to capital provision assets.
Non-GAAP financial measures
In addition to these measures of cash returns and performance of our asset management business, we also refer to cash receipts, tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share, which are non-GAAP financial measures:
▪Cash receipts
Cash receipts provide a measure of the cash that our capital provision and other assets generate during a given period as well as cash from certain other fees and income. In particular, cash receipts represent the cash generated from capital provision and other assets, including cash proceeds from realized or concluded assets and any related hedging assets, and cash received from asset management income, services and/or other income, before any deployments into financing existing or new assets.
Cash receipts are a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with US GAAP. The most
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directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP is proceeds from capital provision assets as set forth in our consolidated statements of cash flows. We believe that cash receipts are an important measure of our operating and financial performance and are useful to management and investors when assessing the performance of our Burford-only capital provision assets. See “—Reconciliations—Cash receipts reconciliations” for a reconciliation of cash receipts to proceeds from capital provision assets, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
▪Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share
Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited is calculated by subtracting intangible assets (such as goodwill) from total Burford Capital Limited equity. Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share is calculated by dividing tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited by the total number of outstanding ordinary shares.
Each of tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with US GAAP. The most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP is total Burford Capital Limited equity as set forth in our consolidated statements of financial condition. We believe that tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share are important measures of our financial condition and are useful to management and investors when assessing capital adequacy and our ability to generate earnings on tangible equity invested by our shareholders. See “—Reconciliations—Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share reconciliations” for reconciliations of tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share to total Burford Capital Limited equity, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
Results of operations and financial condition
Set forth below is a discussion of our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and our consolidated financial condition as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, in each case, on a consolidated basis, unless otherwise noted.
In this section, any references to 2024 refers to the year ended December 31, 2024 and any references to 2023 refers to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023
Overview
The table below sets forth a summary of our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 546,087 | $ | 1,086,902 | $ | (540,815) | (50) | % | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | 155,485 | 271,236 | (115,751) | (43) | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | 390,602 | 815,666 | (425,064) | (52) | % | ||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 137,014 | 77,383 | 59,631 | 77 | % | ||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 253,588 | 738,283 | (484,695) | (66) | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes | 24,005 | 20,084 | 3,921 | 19.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) | 229,583 | 718,199 | (488,616) | (68) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 83,099 | 107,677 | (24,578) | (23) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders | 146,484 | 610,522 | (464,038) | (76) | % | ||||||||||
| Note: “NM” denotes not meaningful. Changes from negative to positive amounts and positive to negative amounts, increases or decreases from zero and changes greater than 700% are not considered meaningful. |
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Total revenues decreased 50% for the year ended December 31, 2024, mainly due to the absence of large fair value increases in capital provision income for the YPF-related assets, which occurred during 2023, arising from two separate milestone events, the March 2023 Ruling (as defined below) and the September 2023 Final Judgment (as defined below). However, realizations increased year-over-year, resulting in a 75% increase in net realized gains to $439.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in total revenues was partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses primarily due to a decrease in compensation-related accruals. The net result was $146.5 million in net income attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to net income of $610.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Revenues
The table below sets forth the components of our total revenues for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision income/(loss) | $ | 552,066 | $ | 1,341,923 | $ | (789,857) | (59) | % | |||||||
| Plus/(Less): Third-party interests in capital provision assets | (42,384) | (279,263) | 236,879 | (85) | % | ||||||||||
| Asset management income/(loss) | 8,340 | 7,642 | 698 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest | 25,014 | 12,208 | 12,806 | 105 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income/(loss) | 3,051 | 4,392 | (1,341) | (31) | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 546,087 | 1,086,902 | (540,815) | (50) | % |
Capital provision income/(loss)
The table below sets forth the components of our capital provision income for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Net realized gains/(losses) | $ | 439,665 | $ | 251,618 | $ | 188,047 | 75 | % | |||||||
| Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 127,981 | 1,081,644 | (953,663) | (88) | % | ||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | (15,701) | 8,012 | (23,713) | NM | |||||||||||
| Other | 121 | 649 | (528) | (81) | % | ||||||||||
| Total capital provision income/(loss) | 552,066 | 1,341,923 | (789,857) | (59) | % |
For the year ended December 31, 2024, net realized gains were $439.7 million, comprising $476.1 million of gross realized gains, offset by gross realized losses of $41.9 million. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net realized gains were $251.6 million, comprising $322.6 million of gross realized gains, offset by gross realized losses of $71.0 million. The increase in net realized gains is due to more case activity during 2024, which led to favorable conclusions and in higher amounts. The 75% increase in net realized gains includes three realizations that each individually exceeded $40.0 million in realized gains and together generated $170.6 million in realized gains in 2024. Overall, net realized gains resulted from $907.0 million in realizations for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $708.3 million in realizations for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Fair value adjustments, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains, are affected by a number of factors, including changes in discount rate, duration and litigation risk premium, the reversal of previously recognized unrealized gains upon conclusion of a matter and its transfer to realized gains and actual performance of matters as they pass through milestones. All of those factors contributed to the unrealized gain of $128.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to an unrealized gain of $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, which included $127.2 million and $820.0 million for YPF-related assets for 2024 and 2023, respectively. Excluding the fair value adjustments on the YPF-related assets for both 2024 and 2023, fair value adjustments, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains, decreased 100% year-over-year, largely impacted by the transfer of previously recognized unrealized gains to realized gains from the realizations of certain assets that occurred in 2024.
As part of our fair value methodology, we discount the expected future cash flows. If discount rates had remained unchanged from December 31, 2023, applying those same rates to the portfolio at December 31, 2024 fair value would have been approximately $8.7 million higher than as reported. The weighted average
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discount rate across the portfolio slightly decreased to 6.9% as of December 31, 2024, from 7.0% as of December 31, 2023, and interest sensitivities of the portfolio to assumed basis point changes in rates at each period end are disclosed in “—Critical accounting estimates—Fair value of capital provision assets”. Fair value is also impacted by changes in the adjusted risk premium, which was slightly up at 31.4% as of December 31, 2024, from 30.2% as of December 31, 2023. The impact of the addition of newly acquired or originated capital provision assets during the period (which generally have higher risk premiums at the start of the capital provision asset’s life) was offset by net favorable developments across the rest of the portfolio.
Plus/(Less): Third-party interests in capital provision assets
Third-party interests in capital provision assets reduced capital provision income by $42.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to a $279.3 million reduction for the year ended December 31, 2023. While increases in the fair value of the YPF-related assets drive offsetting reductions due to the third-party interests in that matter, those increases were considerably smaller in 2024, given the absence of the 2023 events that drove fair value increases in that year.
Asset management income/(loss)
Asset management income increased 9% for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to higher performance fee income earned during 2024. The timing of the recognition of performance fees is variable as they are recognized when a reliable estimate of the performance fees can be made, and it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The maturity and the terms of the applicable distribution waterfall for each of our private funds impacts this timing. As BOF-C is a consolidated entity, asset management income from this private fund is eliminated on a consolidated basis and is not reflected here. See “—Asset Management and Other Services segment” for a discussion of our asset management income, reflecting the impact of the income from BOF-C.
Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest
Marketable securities income and interest increased 105% for the year ended December 31, 2024, mainly driven by higher income earned from our cash and cash equivalents, primarily due to larger average balances and higher interest rates throughout 2024, as compared to 2023.
Other income/(loss)
Other income decreased 31% for the year ended December 31, 2024, as there were more Burford Worldwide Insurance Limited matters closed in 2023 than in 2024.
Operating expenses
The table below sets forth the components of our total operating expenses for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | $ | 42,418 | $ | 39,788 | $ | 2,630 | 7 | % | |||||||
| Annual incentive compensation | 29,210 | 32,697 | (3,487) | (11) | % | ||||||||||
| Share-based and deferred compensation | 8,822 | 21,128 | (12,306) | (58) | % | ||||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation including accruals | 43,209 | 127,471 | (84,262) | (66) | % | ||||||||||
| Total compensation and benefits | 123,659 | 221,084 | (97,425) | (44) | % | ||||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 31,025 | 33,656 | (2,631) | (8) | % | ||||||||||
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 801 | 16,496 | (15,695) | (95) | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 155,485 | 271,236 | (115,751) | (43) | % |
Total operating expenses decreased 43% for the year ended December 31, 2024, driven primarily by lower fair value driven compensation-related accruals and lower case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost due to the resolution of certain assets in 2023 and recoveries from an insurance policy in 2024.
The decrease in long-term incentive compensation including accruals is primarily attributable to the absence in the year ended December 31, 2024, of large fair value increases in the YPF-related assets as a result of the March 2023 Ruling (as defined below) and the September 2023 Final Judgment (as defined below).
Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost significantly decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting a decrease in the level of expenses and instances where we incur legal or other related expenses that are directly attributable to a capital provision asset but that do not form part of the deployed amount under a capital provision agreement, such as when we bear incremental legal expenses
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in cases. Examples of such expenses include fees paid to third parties when our management has sought its own legal advice or expert opinion with respect to matters related to a capital provision asset. These expenses are expected to fluctuate period-over-period and accounted for $2.7 million and $14.7 million of total case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During 2024, we also resolved a long-running coverage dispute with our insurance carrier over payment of some such expenditures in matters where claims had been made against us, resulting in a $3.8 million payment that reduced case-related expenditures for 2024.
Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost also include some situations where we are effectively the claimant in a litigation matter either due to the acquisition of assets or the assignment of a claim. Such expenditures accounted for $1.9 million and $1.8 million of the total case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. While we report these costs as expenses for accounting purposes, we treat them for return and performance purposes no differently than traditional legal finance arrangements.
Other expenses
The table below sets forth the components our total other expenses for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Finance costs | $ | 135,593 | $ | 99,135 | $ | 36,458 | 37 | % | |||||||
| Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses | 1,421 | (21,752) | 23,173 | NM | |||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 137,014 | 77,383 | 59,631 | 77 | % |
Finance costs
Finance costs increased 37% for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to the inclusion in 2024 of interest expense related to the Additional 2031 Notes (as defined below) issued in January 2024 and to the 2031 Notes issued in June 2023, partially offset by the early redemption of the 6.125% bonds due 2024 in July 2023.
Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses
Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses were losses of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to gains of $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The year-over-year change was primarily driven by the absence of a $19.3 million foreign currency gain from a capital redemption between subsidiaries with different functional currencies that occurred during 2023.
Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes
The table below sets forth our provision for/(benefit from) income taxes for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes: | $ | 24,005 | $ | 20,084 | $ | 3,921 | 20 | % |
Provision for income taxes increased 20% for the year ended December 31, 2024, due primarily to limitations on deductions and use of net operating losses in various jurisdictions, as compared to 2023, as well as more of our reported net income before taxes having been earned in jurisdictions with higher statutory tax rates. Cash taxes paid were $19.5 million and $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The OECD has introduced Pillar Two which is considered an alternative minimum tax accounted for as a period cost that would impact our future effective tax rate in the year in which the Pillar Two tax obligation arises. Guernsey as well as certain countries in which we operate have enacted legislation to implement Pillar Two. It is important to note, however, Pillar Two tax obligation only arises as of the tax year following a period after a multi-national enterprise has earned annual consolidated revenues of at least €750 million in at least two out of the prior four accounting periods.
Based on our annual consolidated revenues over the past several years, we are not currently subject to the OECD Pillar Two mandate. Notwithstanding this fact, we have assessed the potential impact of Pillar Two based on laws enacted as of the date of this 2024 Form 10-K and there was no material effect on our current effective tax rate, business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity for the year ended December 31, 2024. Based on this assessment and the prospective nature of the effective date of the
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application of the Pillar Two rules, we also do not currently anticipate any material effect on our effective tax rate, business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity for the year ending December 31, 2025. See “Risk factors—Changes in tax laws and regulations or unanticipated tax liabilities could affect our effective tax rate, business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity” for additional information with respect to the risks relating to Pillar Two.
Net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests
The table below sets forth our net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests: | $ | 83,099 | $ | 107,677 | $ | (24,578) | (23) | % |
We consolidate certain entities that have other shareholders and/or investors, including the Advantage Fund and BOF-C. The Advantage Fund does not have a traditional management and performance fee structure, but instead we retain any excess returns after the first 10% of annual simple returns are remitted to the Advantage Fund’s investors. With respect to BOF-C, under the co-investing arrangement with the sovereign wealth fund, we (in our capacity as the appointed investment adviser) receive reimbursement of expenses from BOF-C up to a certain level before we or the sovereign wealth fund, as applicable, receive a return of capital. After the repayment of capital, we then receive a portion of the return generated from the assets held by BOF-C. We include 100% of the Advantage Fund’s and BOF-C’s income and expenses in the applicable line items in our consolidated statements of operations (for example, 100% of the income on the Advantage Fund’s and BOF-C’s capital provision assets is included in capital provision income in our consolidated statements of operations), and the net amount of those income and expense line items that relate to third-party interests is included in net income attributable to non-controlling interests. In turn, this net amount is deducted from net income to arrive at net income attributable to Burford Capital Limited shareholders in our consolidated statements of operations. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests does not include Colorado. See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Consolidation) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to our consolidation policies.
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests decreased 23% for the year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting non-controlling interests’ share of income on capital provision assets, the majority of which relates to the decrease in the capital provision income for BOF-C.
Consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023
The table below sets forth specified line items from our consolidated statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated.
| December 31 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 469,930 | $ | 220,549 | $ | 249,381 | 113 | % | |||||||
| Marketable securities | 79,020 | 107,561 | (28,541) | (27) | % | ||||||||||
| Other assets | 61,006 | 63,464 | (2,458) | (4) | % | ||||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 183,858 | 265,540 | (81,682) | (31) | % | ||||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,243,917 | 5,045,388 | 198,529 | 4 | % |
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities
Cash and cash equivalents increased 113% and marketable securities decreased 27% both as of December 31, 2024. The net increase in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities primarily reflects the proceeds received from capital provision assets and from the issuance of the Additional 2031 Notes (as defined below) in January 2024, partially offset by the funding of capital provision assets and the impact from third-party net distributions as well as from the partial redemption of the 6.125% bonds due 2025 and the payment of dividends.
Other assets
Other assets was $61.0 million as of December 31, 2024, which remained relatively flat as compared to December 31, 2023.
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Due from settlement of capital provision assets
Due from settlement of capital provision assets decreased 31% as of December 31, 2024, primarily as a result of collections of due from settlement receivables and the impact of realizations during 2024. Of the $265.5 million of due from settlement receivables as of December 31, 2023, 97% was collected in cash during 2024.
Capital provision assets
Capital provision assets increased 4% as of December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting fair value gains generated in 2024, and continued deployments into capital provision assets, partially offset by the impact of realizations.
Fair value of capital provision assets
Valuation policy
See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Fair value of financial instruments) to our
consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K for a description of our valuation policy for capital provision assets.
Fair value of capital provision assets
The table below sets forth the fair value of capital provision assets, comprised of deployed cost and unrealized gains, for the YPF-related assets and other assets as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third-party | segments | Third-party | segments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | interests | (Burford-only) | Consolidated | interests | (Burford-only) | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital provision assets | $ | 5,243,917 | $ | (1,672,693) | $ | 3,571,224 | $ | 5,045,388 | $ | (1,613,276) | $ | 3,432,112 | |||||||||||
| Deployed costs | 2,341,377 | (668,784) | 1,672,593 | 2,280,563 | (668,281) | 1,612,282 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deployed costs on YPF-related assets | 76,405 | (6,829) | 69,576 | 67,167 | (6,829) | 60,338 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deployed costs on non-YPF-related assets | 2,264,972 | (661,955) | 1,603,017 | 2,213,396 | (661,452) | 1,551,944 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains | 2,902,540 | (1,003,909) | 1,898,631 | 2,764,825 | (944,995) | 1,819,830 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains on YPF-related assets | 2,118,112 | (722,213) | 1,395,899 | 1,990,950 | (679,631) | 1,311,319 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains on non-YPF-related assets | 784,428 | (281,696) | 502,732 | 773,875 | (265,364) | 508,511 |
On a consolidated basis, the aggregate fair value of our capital provision assets was $5.2 billion, the aggregate deployed cost was $2.3 billion and the aggregate unrealized gains were $2.9 billion each as of December 31, 2024. The increase of $60.8 million in deployed cost is a result of deployments during 2024, offset by the return of capital from realizations. See “—Consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023—Revenues” above for additional information with respect to the change in unrealized gains, which is driven by this period’s fair value adjustment, net of previously recognized unrealized gains transferred to realized gains.
Within total segments (Burford-only), the aggregate fair value of our capital provision assets was $3.6 billion, the aggregate deployed cost was $1.7 billion and the aggregate unrealized gains were $1.9 billion each as of December 31, 2024. The increase of $60.3 million in deployed cost is a result of deployments during 2024, offset by the return of capital from realizations. See “—Segments—Principal Finance segment—Gains from capital provision asset portfolio” for additional information with respect to the change in unrealized gains, which is driven by this period’s fair value adjustment, net of previously recognized unrealized gains transferred to realized gains.
Fair value of YPF-related assets
The determination of the fair value of the YPF-related assets—our financing of the Petersen and Eton Park claims (as described below)—is based on the same methodology that we use to value all our other capital provision assets. In June 2019, we sold a portion of the Petersen claim, constituting $100.0 million of a $148.0 million placement, to a number of institutional investors. Other third-party holders sold the remaining portion. Given the size of this sale and the participation of a meaningful number of third-party institutional investors, we concluded that this market evidence should be factored into our valuation process of the YPF-related assets. As a result, we have utilized the implicit valuation of the Petersen claim to calibrate our
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model to determine the fair value of the YPF-related assets in subsequent periods through December 31, 2024. Episodic subsequent trading of portions of the Petersen claim have not been factored into our valuation process of the YPF-related assets.
On March 31, 2023, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) issued its opinion and order (the “March 2023 Ruling”) in connection with the summary judgment motions filed by the parties in the Petersen and Eton Park cases against the Republic of Argentina and YPF S.A. In summary, the Court decided that (i) Argentina was liable to Petersen and Eton Park for failing to make a tender offer for their YPF shares in 2012, (ii) YPF was not liable for failing to enforce its bylaws against Argentina, (iii) the various arguments Argentina had made to try to reduce its damages liability from the straightforward application of the formula in the bylaws were unavailing and (iv) an evidentiary hearing was needed to resolve two factual issues to enable the computation of damages, where those issues were (1) the date on which the Republic of Argentina should have made a tender offer for YPF S.A.’s shares and (2) the appropriate rate of pre-judgment interest to be applied.
On September 8, 2023, the Court issued its findings of fact and conclusions of law in connection with the Petersen and Eton Park cases against the Republic of Argentina and YPF S.A. In summary, the Court decided the issues raised at the evidentiary hearing in Petersen’s and Eton Park’s favor, holding that the appropriate date for the tender offer was April 16, 2012, and that pre-judgment interest should run from May 3, 2012, at a simple interest rate of 8%.
On September 15, 2023, the Court issued a final judgment (the “September 2023 Final Judgment”) that resulted in a complete win by Petersen and Eton Park with respect to damages against the Republic of Argentina of $16.1 billion, comprised of $14.3 billion due to Petersen and $1.7 billion due to Eton Park. The September 2023 Final Judgment awards post-judgment interest at a rate of 5.42% per annum, computed daily to the date of payment and compounded annually. On October 10, 2023, the Republic of Argentina filed a notice of appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and, on October 18, 2023, Petersen and Eton Park filed a notice a cross-appeal as to the dismissal of their claims against YPF S.A. On August 23, 2024, briefing on the appeal and cross-appeal was completed.
On a consolidated basis, the fair value of the YPF-related assets (both Petersen and Eton Park combined) was $2.2 billion as of December 31, 2024. Our cost basis and unrealized gains increased $9.2 million and $127.2 million to $76.4 million and $2.1 billion, respectively, during 2024, due to the progression closer to our expected conclusion date.
Within total segments (Burford-only), the fair value of the YPF-related assets (both Petersen and Eton Park combined) was $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2024. Our cost basis and our unrealized gains increased $9.2 million and $84.6 million to $69.6 million and $1.4 billion, respectively, during 2024, due to the progression closer to our expected conclusion date.
Undrawn commitments
Undrawn commitments are unfunded commitments which are attributable to our capital provision asset portfolio and can be divided into two categories: definitive and discretionary.
▪Definitive commitments are those where we are contractually obligated to advance incremental capital and failure to do so would typically result in adverse contractual consequences (such as a dilution in our returns or the loss of our deployed capital in a case).
▪Discretionary commitments are those where we retain a considerable degree of discretion over whether to advance capital and generally would not suffer an adverse financial consequence from not doing so
The table below sets forth the components of our total capital provision undrawn commitments as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Definitive | $ | 962,808 | $ | 839,973 | $ | 122,835 | 15 | % | |||||||
| Discretionary | 1,032,433 | 977,733 | 54,700 | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Legal risk (definitive) | 41,318 | 55,583 | (14,265) | (26) | % | ||||||||||
| Total capital provision undrawn commitments | 2,036,559 | 1,873,289 | 163,270 | 9 | % |
As of December 31, 2024 approximately 49% of our legal finance undrawn commitments related to definitive commitments and approximately 51% related to discretionary, as compared to 48% and 52%, respectively as of December 31, 2023.
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Segments
We have two reportable segments through which we provide legal finance products and services to our clients: (i) Principal Finance and (ii) Asset Management and Other Services.
Our Principal Finance segment funds 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. These capital provision assets and private fund interests generate our capital provision income, which is the most significant driver of our total revenues.
Our Asset Management and Other Services segment manages legal finance assets on behalf of third-party investors, and we provide other services to the legal industry for both of which we receive fees. These fees are primarily reflected as asset management income, which is a secondary contributor to our total revenues. As of December 31, 2024, we operated eight private funds and three “sidecar” funds as an investment adviser registered with and regulated by the SEC.
The Asset Management and Other Services segment may also reflect the financial impact of new initiatives in the legal services space, including initial diligence and start-up costs, which may impact segment-level profitability.
Statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023
The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes by segment for the periods indicated.
| Reconciliation | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Principal Finance | Asset Management and Other Services | Total segments (Burford-only) | Reconciling items(1) | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 412,702 | $ | 47,678 | $ | 460,380 | $ | 85,707 | $ | 546,087 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 125,713 | 27,341 | 153,054 | 2,431 | 155,485 | ||||||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 136,837 | — | 136,837 | 177 | 137,014 | ||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 150,152 | 20,337 | 170,489 | 83,099 | 253,588 | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 908,438 | 68,104 | 976,542 | 110,360 | 1,086,902 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 240,513 | 28,025 | 268,538 | 2,698 | 271,236 | ||||||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 77,399 | — | 77,399 | (16) | 77,383 | ||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 590,526 | 40,079 | 630,605 | 107,678 | 738,283 | ||||||||||||||
| Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | (495,736) | (20,426) | (516,162) | (24,653) | (540,815) | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | (114,800) | (684) | (115,484) | (267) | (115,751) | ||||||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 59,438 | — | 59,438 | 193 | 59,631 | ||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | (440,374) | (19,742) | (460,116) | (24,579) | (484,695) | ||||||||||||||
| 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 Strategic Value Fund, the Advantage Fund and Colorado. |
The absence of large fair value increases in capital provision income for the YPF-related assets, which occurred in 2023, was a significant driver of the decrease in income before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 on both a consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) basis. However, an increase in realizations resulting in a 75% increase in net realized gains year-over-year, on both a consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) basis, helped to offset the absence of large fair value increases for the YPF-related assets. Additionally, a decrease in operating expenses, for both consolidated and total segments (Burford-only), in each case primarily due to a decrease in compensation-related accruals, helped to partially offset the decrease in income before income taxes. The net result was $253.6 million and $170.5 million in income before income taxes for the year ended
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December 31, 2024, on a consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) basis, respectively. For the year-over-year discussion of each of the reportable segments, refer to the specific segment sections further below.
The table below sets forth the components of our operating expenses by consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) for the periods indicated.
| Reconciliation | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Total segments (Burford-only) | Reconciling items(1) | Consolidated | ||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | |||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | $ | 42,418 | $ | — | $ | 42,418 | |||||
| Annual incentive compensation | 29,210 | — | 29,210 | ||||||||
| Share-based and deferred compensation | 8,822 | — | 8,822 | ||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation including accruals | 43,209 | — | 43,209 | ||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 30,452 | 573 | 31,025 | ||||||||
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | (1,057) | 1,858 | 801 | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 153,054 | 2,431 | 155,485 | ||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | |||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | 39,788 | — | 39,788 | ||||||||
| Annual incentive compensation | 32,697 | — | 32,697 | ||||||||
| Share-based and deferred compensation | 21,128 | — | 21,128 | ||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation including accruals | 127,471 | — | 127,471 | ||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 32,783 | 873 | 33,656 | ||||||||
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 14,671 | 1,825 | 16,496 | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 268,538 | 2,698 | 271,236 | ||||||||
| Change | |||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | |||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | 2,630 | — | 2,630 | ||||||||
| Annual incentive compensation | (3,487) | — | (3,487) | ||||||||
| Share-based and deferred compensation | (12,306) | — | (12,306) | ||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation including accruals | (84,262) | — | (84,262) | ||||||||
| General, administrative and other | (2,331) | (300) | (2,631) | ||||||||
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | (15,728) | 33 | (15,695) | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | (115,484) | (267) | (115,751) | ||||||||
| 1. Adjusted for third-party interests in non-wholly owned consolidated entities, which included BOF-C, the Strategic Value Fund, the Advantage Fund, Colorado and several other entities in which the Company holds investments and there is a third-party partner in, or owner of, those entities. |
Total operating expenses, for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $115.8 million for consolidated and decreased $115.5 million for total segments (Burford-only). In each case, the decrease in total operating expenses was driven primarily by lower long-term incentive compensation accruals, which was driven by the absence in 2024 of large fair value increases in the YPF-related assets, and lower case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost due to the resolution of certain assets in 2023 and recoveries from an insurance policy in 2024.
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Statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2024, as compared to December 31, 2023
The table below sets forth the components of our consolidated statements of financial condition by segment as of the dates indicated.
| Reconciliation | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Principal Finance | Asset Management and Other Services | Total segments (Burford-only) | Reconciling items(1) | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 291,386 | $ | 12,090 | $ | 303,476 | $ | 24,634 | $ | 328,110 | |||||||||
| Other assets | $ | 26,165 | $ | 133,952 | $ | 160,117 | $ | (96,653) | $ | 63,464 | |||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | $ | 185,267 | $ | — | $ | 185,267 | $ | 80,273 | $ | 265,540 | |||||||||
| Capital provision assets | $ | 3,432,112 | $ | — | $ | 3,432,112 | $ | 1,613,276 | $ | 5,045,388 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 4,043,848 | $ | 172,016 | $ | 4,215,864 | $ | 1,621,530 | $ | 5,837,394 | |||||||||
| Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 216,645 | $ | 560 | $ | 217,205 | $ | 3,635 | $ | 220,840 | |||||||||
| Other assets | $ | (2,454) | $ | 17,818 | $ | 15,364 | $ | (17,822) | $ | (2,458) | |||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | $ | (1,616) | $ | — | $ | (1,616) | $ | (80,066) | $ | (81,682) | |||||||||
| Capital provision assets | $ | 139,112 | $ | — | $ | 139,112 | $ | 59,417 | $ | 198,529 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 354,106 | $ | 18,361 | $ | 372,467 | $ | (34,836) | $ | 337,631 | |||||||||
| 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 Strategic Value Fund, the Advantage Fund and Colorado. |
Total assets, as of December 31, 2024, increased $337.6 million for consolidated and increased $372.5 million for total segments (Burford-only). In each case, the increase in total assets can be attributable to increases in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities and increases in capital provision assets. See “—Consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2024, as compared to December 31, 2023” above for additional information on the components of our consolidated statements of financial condition. For the year-over-year discussion of each of the reportable segments, refer to the specific segment sections further below.
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Group-wide portfolio
Group-wide portfolio refers to the totality of assets managed by us, which includes assets financed by our balance sheet through our Principal Finance segment and assets financed by third-party capital through our Asset Management and Other Services segment. The table below sets forth the components of our portfolio by segment as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision assets - Principal Finance segment | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | $ | 3,571,224 | $ | 3,432,112 | $ | 139,112 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 1,632,856 | 1,408,005 | 224,851 | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| Total portfolio value - Principal Finance segment | 5,204,080 | 4,840,117 | 363,963 | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Capital provision assets (funded by third parties) - Asset Management and Other Services segment | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | 1,353,893 | 1,385,958 | (32,065) | (2) | % | ||||||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 491,186 | 582,924 | (91,738) | (16) | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 1,845,079 | 1,968,882 | (123,803) | (6) | % | ||||||||||
| Post-settlement | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | 272,424 | 298,854 | (26,430) | (9) | % | ||||||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 67,961 | 62,455 | 5,506 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 340,385 | 361,309 | (20,924) | (6) | % | ||||||||||
| Total portfolio value - Asset Management and Other Services segment | 2,185,464 | 2,330,191 | (144,727) | (6) | % | ||||||||||
| Capital provision assets - group-wide portfolio | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | 5,197,541 | 5,116,924 | 80,617 | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 2,192,003 | 2,053,384 | 138,619 | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Total group-wide portfolio | 7,389,544 | 7,170,308 | 219,236 | 3 | % |
Group-wide portfolio increased 3% as of December 31, 2024, comprised of increases in the fair value of capital provision assets (driven largely by increases in financing) and increases in undrawn commitments for capital provision assets (driven by new commitments added during the year). For the year-over-year discussion of each of the reportable segments, refer to the specific segment sections further below.
Group-wide new commitments
New commitments reflect new contractual financing agreements, which are inflows to the portfolio, and serve as one indicator for new business activity. When referring to new commitments for our combined business segments, we use the term “group-wide”, as opposed to total segments (Burford-only) which we use for our financial results, due to the third-party nature of the capital in our asset management business. The table below sets forth the components of our group-wide new commitments of capital provision assets by segment for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Principal Finance segment (Burford-only) | $ | 701,629 | $ | 724,211 | $ | (22,582) | (3) | % | |||||||
| Asset Management and Other Services segment (funded by third-parties) | 184,423 | 502,389 | (317,966) | (63) | % | ||||||||||
| Group-wide new commitments | 886,052 | 1,226,600 | (340,548) | (28) | % |
Group-wide new commitments, decreased 28% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in group-wide new commitments was largely due to the absence of new commitments for the Advantage Fund, and to a lesser extent, lower new commitments related to post-settlement assets, during the year ended December 31, 2024. The structure of the Advantage Fund, with its simple 10% preferred return to investors, was appealing in a low interest rate environment but less so as interest rates rose, and we considered the
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desires of the fund’s investors in avoiding the deployment of additional capital if premium returns for investors were not available in its final year.
Principal Finance segment
Our 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. These capital provision assets and private fund interests generate capital provision income, which is the most significant driver of our total revenues.
Given the direct balance sheet exposure in our Principal Finance segment, we generate capital provision income directly from the gross returns of the portfolio, which are driven by the outcomes of litigation and related legal activity. Recognition of capital provision income is based on our fair value methodology, see note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies) to our consolidated financial statements contained in
this 2024 Form 10-K, for each asset in the portfolio, which we apply quarterly, and the resulting change in fair value across the Principal Finance segment portfolio.
Statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023
The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes for our Principal Finance segment for the periods indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision income/(loss) | $ | 388,124 | $ | 896,371 | $ | (508,247) | (57) | % | |||||||
| Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest | 24,578 | 12,067 | 12,511 | 104 | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 412,702 | 908,438 | (495,736) | (55) | % | ||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | 101,758 | 196,623 | (94,865) | (48) | % | ||||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 25,012 | 29,219 | (4,207) | (14) | % | ||||||||||
| Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | (1,057) | 14,671 | (15,728) | NM | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 125,713 | 240,513 | (114,800) | (48) | % | ||||||||||
| Finance costs | 135,593 | 99,136 | 36,457 | 37 | % | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses | 1,244 | (21,737) | 22,981 | NM | |||||||||||
| Total other expenses | 136,837 | 77,399 | 59,438 | 77 | % | ||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 150,152 | 590,526 | (440,374) | (75) | % |
Total revenues decreased 55% for the year ended December 31, 2024, mainly due to the absence of large fair value increases in capital provision income for the YPF-related assets, which occurred during 2023, arising from two separate milestone events, the March 2023 Ruling and the September 2023 Final Judgment. The decrease in fair value was partially offset by a 75% increase in net realized gains to $327.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Total operating expenses decreased 48% for the year ended December 31, 2024, driven primarily by lower fair value driven compensation-related accruals and lower case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost due to the resolution of certain assets in 2023 and recoveries from an insurance policy in 2024.
Total other expenses increased 77% for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to the inclusion in 2024 of interest expense related to the Additional 2031 Notes (as defined below) issued in January 2024 and to the 2031 Notes issued in June 2023, partially offset by the early redemption of the 6.125% bonds due 2024 in July 2023. In addition, the increase in other expenses was also driven by the absence of a $19.3 million foreign currency gain from a capital redemption between subsidiaries with different functional currencies that occurred during 2023.
As a result of the factors described above, income/(loss) before income taxes decreased 75% for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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Gains from capital provision asset portfolio
The table below sets forth the components of our total capital provision income for the periods indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Net realized gains/(losses) | $ | 327,174 | $ | 187,376 | $ | 139,798 | 75 | % | |||||||
| Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 76,001 | 700,838 | (624,837) | (89) | % | ||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | (15,172) | 7,507 | (22,679) | NM | |||||||||||
| Other | 121 | 650 | (529) | (81) | % | ||||||||||
| Total capital provision income | 388,124 | 896,371 | (508,247) | (57) | % |
Realized gains
Net realized gains on capital provision assets increased 75% for the year ended December 31, 2024, which were comprised of $355.8 million in gross realized gains, offset by $34.1 million in gross realized losses. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net realized gains on capital provision assets were comprised of $242.1 million in gross realized gains, offset by $54.7 million in gross realized losses. The increase in net realized gains is due to more case activity during the year ended December 31, 2024, which led to favorable conclusions and in higher amounts. The 75% increase in net realized gains is largely impacted by two realizations that each individually exceeded $50.0 million in realized gains and together generated $121.0 million in realized gains during 2024, as well as due to the impact of smaller realized losses. As a percentage of average capital provision assets at cost during the year ended December 31, 2024, gross realized losses represented 2.8% as compared to 3.6% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Unrealized gains
Unrealized gains consist of fair value adjustments during the period, which may be offset by the transfer of unrealized gains/(losses) to realized gains/(losses) upon realization of an asset. Fair value adjustments, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains, on capital provision assets decreased 89% for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to the absence of large fair value increases totaling $542.9 million for the YPF-related assets, which occurred during 2023, arising from the March 2023 Ruling and the September 2023 Final Judgment. Excluding the impact of the YPF-related assets, fair value adjustments, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains, decreased 105% for the year ended December 31, 2024, largely impacted by the transfer of previously recognized unrealized gains to realized gains from the realizations of certain deals that occurred during 2024. See “—Consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023—Revenues—Capital provision income/(loss)” above for additional information with respect to the year-over-year change of fair value adjustment, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses).
Statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023
The table below sets forth the components of our consolidated statements of financial condition for our Principal Finance segment as of the dates indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 508,031 | $ | 291,386 | $ | 216,645 | 74 | % | |||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 183,651 | 185,267 | (1,616) | (1) | % | ||||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 3,571,224 | 3,432,112 | 139,112 | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 4,397,954 | 4,043,848 | 354,106 | 9 | % |
Total assets increased 9% as of December 31, 2024, primarily due to increase in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities and due to increase in capital provision assets. See “—Consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023” above for additional information.
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Portfolio value – Principal Finance segment
The table below sets forth the components of our portfolio for our Principal Finance segment as of the dates indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision assets | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | $ | 3,571,224 | $ | 3,432,112 | $ | 139,112 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 1,632,856 | 1,408,005 | 224,851 | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| Total portfolio | 5,204,080 | 4,840,117 | 363,963 | 8 | % |
Total portfolio increased 8% as of December 31, 2024, driven by increases in fair value of capital provision assets resulting from increases in financing and increase in undrawn commitments driven by new commitments added during 2024. Capital provision assets include our investment in the Advantage Fund which makes up less than 1% of the total portfolio as of December 31, 2024.
The table below sets forth our deployments and realizations for our Principal Finance segment for the periods indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Deployments | $ | 399,312 | $ | 411,793 | $ | (12,481) | (3) | % | |||||||
| Realizations | 646,876 | 512,655 | 134,221 | 26 | % |
The table below sets forth our deployments and realizations, for the periods indicated, adjusted primarily to (i) include case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost for our deployments and (ii) include (a) realizations arising from income on due from settlement of capital provision assets and (b) in cases where our interest is held through a private fund, adjust to reflect realizations based on the timing of occurrence with the capital provision asset and not when distributed out by the private fund for our realizations. See “—Reconciliations—Deployments reconciliations” and “—Reconciliations—Realizations reconciliations” for additional information with respect to the difference between the Principal Finance segment and the Burford-only basis tables.
| Adjusted Burford-only | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Deployments | $ | 400,714 | $ | 411,551 | $ | (10,837) | (3) | % | |||||||
| Realizations | 641,124 | 530,626 | 110,498 | 21 | % |
For both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only basis, total deployments slightly decreased by 3% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in deployments for both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only basis was primarily due to lower financing despite having more deployed assets, with the top three assets representing 28% of deployments in 2024, as compared to 35% of deployments in 2023.
We count each of our contractual relationships as an “asset”, although many such relationships are composed of multiple underlying litigation matters that are often cross collateralized rather than reliant on the performance of a single matter. As of December 31, 2024, our Principal Finance portfolio consisted of 227 assets funded directly by our balance sheet and 9 additional assets held through the Advantage Fund. As of December 31, 2023, our Principal Finance portfolio consisted of 206 assets funded directly by our balance sheet and 11 additional assets held through the Advantage Fund.
Total realizations increased by 26% for the Principal Finance segment and by 21% for the adjusted Burford-only basis for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in realizations for both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only basis was primarily due to robust realizations during 2024, which included a partial conclusion in a global antitrust portfolio that generated $114.5 million of realizations.
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Undrawn commitments – Principal Finance segment
The table below sets forth the components of our total capital provision undrawn commitments for our Principal Finance segment as of the dates indicated.
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Definitive | $ | 773,673 | $ | 591,942 | $ | 181,731 | 31 | % | |||||||
| Discretionary | 817,865 | 766,537 | 51,328 | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Legal risk (definitive) | 41,318 | 49,526 | (8,208) | (17) | % | ||||||||||
| Total capital provision undrawn commitments | 1,632,856 | 1,408,005 | 224,851 | 16 | % |
As of December 31, 2024, approximately 50% of our legal finance undrawn commitments related to definitive commitments and approximately 50% related to discretionary, as compared to 46% and 54%, respectively as of December 31, 2023.
Portfolio concentrations
Our Principal Finance portfolio includes certain related exposures where we have financed multiple different counterparties in relation to the same or very similar claims, such that outcomes on these related exposures are likely to be correlated. We estimate that the fair value of the assets underlying our largest correlated exposure (excluding YPF-related assets) represented approximately 6% and 8% of the consolidated fair value of capital provision assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and approximately 5% and 7% of the capital provision assets in the Principal Finance segment as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The claims underlying our capital provision assets are generally diverse, as are our relationships with corporate and law firm clients. The table below sets forth the respective percentages of our commitments to corporate, law firm and other clients as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporates | 55 | % | 55 | % | ||
| Law firms | 40 | % | 41 | % | ||
| Other | 5 | % | 4 | % |
Our largest commitment (including deployed capital and undrawn commitment) to a corporate client was $130.0 million, which accounted for 4% of our commitments, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Our largest relationship with a single law firm consisted of (i) financing arrangements between us and the law firm, where the law firm seeks to monetize the risk that the law firm has taken with some of its clients, (ii) direct financing arrangements with counterparties that elect to hire the law firm where we finance the law firm’s legal fees and (iii) direct financing arrangements with counterparties that have hired the law firm but where our financing is used for corporate purposes other than for financing the law firm’s legal fees. This law firm is one of the 50 largest law firms in the United States based on revenue according to The American Lawyer, with more than 500 lawyers and more than 20 offices around the world. Our portfolio of matters with this law firm included more than 20 different litigation matters as of December 31, 2024. Taken together, these arrangements accounted for approximately $130.5 million, or 4% of our commitments as of December 31, 2024, as compared to $141.7 million, or 5% of our commitments as of December 31, 2023.
Portfolio tenor
The timing of realizations is difficult to forecast and is rarely in our control. The reality of litigation is that most cases settle and pay proceeds in a relatively short period of time, and a minority of cases go on to adjudication, which takes longer. Adjudication timing is subject to a myriad of factors, including delaying tactics by litigation opponents and court dockets and schedules, and the Covid-19 pandemic has added to this uncertainty. However, we are now seeing the impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic begin to subside. We believe that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic delaying trial dates also has caused a delay in settlement timing, as an impending trial often can be a catalyst for a settlement. We do not believe there is a correlation between asset life and asset quality and endeavor to structure our asset pricing to compensate us if assets take longer to resolve.
We provide extensive data about the WAL of our concluded portfolio, although this data may not be predictive of the ultimate WAL of our existing portfolio. The WAL of our concluded portfolio may lengthen over time if the longer-tenor assets in our existing portfolio account for a greater share of future concluded
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cases. Conversely, if our larger, more recently originated cases conclude relatively quickly, the WAL of our concluded portfolio could decrease.
In calculating the WAL of our portfolio, we compute a weighted average of the WALs of individual assets. On that basis, we assess the weighted average lives (beginning at the point of average deployment) of the concluded portfolio, weighted both by deployed cost and realizations. Weighting by deployed cost provides a view on how long on average a dollar of capital is deployed, while weighting by realizations provides a view on how long on average it takes to recover a dollar of return.
The WALs of the 248 concluded assets as of December 31, 2024 slightly increased as compared to the WALs of the 226 concluded assets as of December 31, 2023. As mentioned above, the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic delaying settlement timing is expected to cause a slight increase in the WALs. The table below sets forth the WALs, weighted by deployed cost and realizations, of the concluded assets, excluding the impact of our interest in private funds, as of the dates indicated.
| (in years) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAL weighted by deployed cost | 2.5 | 2.2 | |||
| WAL weighted by realizations | 2.6 | 2.4 |
The age of our ongoing portfolio is reflected in the WAL of active deployed capital in the table below. Although we provide information for our portfolio by vintage years, the deployed costs for each vintage are generally financed across multiple years and the WAL of active deployed capital calculates the length of time our deployments have been outstanding based on the date when capital was deployed.
| (in years) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAL of active deployed capital | 3.1 | 2.9 |
Returns on concluded portfolio
The table below sets forth our ROIC, IRR and cumulative realizations on concluded and partially concluded assets in our capital provision portfolio as of the dates indicated since inception on a Burford-only basis.
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROIC | 87 | % | 82 | % | |||
| IRR | 26 | % | 27 | % | |||
| Cumulative realizations | $ | 3,331,356 | $ | 2,707,300 |
As our older vintages conclude, we may see IRR decrease slightly as the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic caused delays in settlement timing. In addition to legal finance assets funded directly through our balance sheet, our Principal Finance segment also selectively allocates balance sheet capital through interests in select private funds, which tend to target a lower overall risk return profile. As of December 31, 2024, our balance sheet allocations through private funds accounted for approximately 1% of both current fair value and cumulative realizations from concluded or partially concluded assets. Returns from these concluded or partially concluded assets invested through private funds are not included in the ROICs and IRRs in the table above. If the concluded or partially concluded assets from the balance sheet’s interest in Advantage Fund were included the return calculations above, the ROIC would be 86% and the IRR would remain at 26%.
We do not consider cases to be concluded (and therefore part of these return metrics on our concluded portfolio) until there is no longer any litigation risk remaining. Return metrics on our concluded portfolio do not include fair value adjustments, either positive or negative. As a result, these return figures do not include the positive or negative impact of developments on matters while they remain pending.
Portfolio by vintage
The table below sets forth a summary by vintage of every legal finance asset that we have funded directly by our balance sheet, as of the date indicated since inception. For a table with all the individual vintages, refer to our website.
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| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of | Commitment | Deployed | Realized | Concluded (fully and partially) | ||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | assets | amount(1)(2) | costs(1) | proceeds(1) | ROIC | IRR | ||||||||||||
| Concluded | 87 | 576 | 475 | 752 | 105 | % | 25 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 33 | 28 | 276 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 6 | 223 | 124 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 4 | 37 | 36 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Pre-2016 Total | 97 | 869 | 663 | 1,028 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 71 | 779 | 601 | 1,111 | 88 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 311 | 274 | 534 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 44 | 578 | 373 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 51 | 596 | 347 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2016-2020 Total | 166 | 2,264 | 1,595 | 1,645 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 7 | 31 | 22 | 26 | 61 | % | 29 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 190 | 188 | 313 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 10 | 133 | 82 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 20 | 187 | 118 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 Total | 37 | 541 | 410 | 339 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 4 | 40 | 11 | 17 | 98 | % | 48 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 53 | 51 | 106 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 11 | 245 | 153 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 24 | 303 | 177 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 Total | 39 | 641 | 392 | 123 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 3 | 213 | 128 | 172 | 45 | % | 43 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 5 | 5 | 21 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 4 | 45 | 36 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 17 | 409 | 58 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 Total | 24 | 672 | 227 | 193 | ||||||||||||||
| Concluded | — | — | — | — | 17 | % | 86 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded | — | (3) | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||
| Partially realized - ongoing | 1 | 38 | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 35 | 565 | 156 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 Total | 36 | 606 | 162 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Total portfolio: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Concluded | 172 | 1,639 | 1,237 | 2,078 | 87 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||||
| Partially realized - concluded(4) | 76 | 595 | 549 | 1253 | ||||||||||||||
| Total concluded portion | 248 | 2,234 | 1,786 | 3,331 | ||||||||||||||
| Partially realized – ongoing portion(4) | 76 | 1,262 | 771 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ongoing | 151 | 2,097 | 892 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total ongoing portion | 227 | 3,359 | 1,663 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total portfolio | 399 | 5,593 | 3,449 | 3,331 |
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| 1. Amounts in currencies other than US dollar are reported in this table at the foreign exchange rates in effect at the time of the historical transaction, i.e., when the commitment or deployment was made or when proceeds were realized, respectively. Amounts related to those transactions (such as undrawn commitments or deployed costs) reflected elsewhere in this “Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” or in our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K may be reported based on the foreign exchange rates in effect as of the end of the applicable period and, therefore, may differ from the amounts in this table. |
|---|
| 2. A portion of certain ongoing assets’ undrawn commitments are no longer an obligation. This table presents an asset’s gross original commitments, so it does not reflect a reduction in commitment for the portion that is no longer an obligation. This will result in a difference when compared to undrawn commitments in note 20 (Financial commitments and contingent liabilities) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K. |
| 3. The number of assets for partially realized concluded transactions is listed under the number of assets for partially realized ongoing transactions as these are the concluded and ongoing portions of the same transactions. |
| 4. As of December 31, 2024, there were 76 capital provision assets with partial realizations. We repeat the number with partial realizations in total concluded and total ongoing. |
Asset Management and Other Services segment
Our Asset Management and Other Services segment manages legal finance assets on behalf of third-party investors, and we provide other services to the legal industry for both of which we receive fees. These fees are primarily reflected as asset management income, which is a secondary contributor to our total revenues.
Our internal allocation policy strictly prescribes the allocation of third-party private fund capital by fund based on the risk/return profile of assets, thus removing any potential allocation conflicts of interest with our Principal Finance segment.
We generally conduct our private funds activities through limited partnerships. Each private fund that is a limited partnership has a Burford-owned general partner that is responsible for the management and operation of the private fund’s affairs and makes all policy and asset selection decisions relating to the conduct of the private fund’s business. Except as required by law or as specified in a private fund’s governing documents, the limited partners of the private funds take no part in the conduct or control of the business of the private funds, have no right or authority to act for or bind the private funds, have limited visibility and input into the actions and decisions of the general partner and have no influence over the voting or disposition of the securities or other assets held by the private funds. Each private fund engages an investment adviser. BCIM serves as the investment adviser for all of our private funds and is registered under the Investment Advisers Act.
In addition, we operate certain “sidecar” funds pertaining to specific assets and had three active “sidecar” funds as of December 31, 2024. A “sidecar” fund is a pooled investment vehicle through which certain investors co-invest directly in specific assets alongside our private funds. Except as required by law or as specified in a “sidecar” fund’s governing documents, the investors in the “sidecar” funds take no part in the conduct or control of the business of the “sidecar” funds, have no right or authority to act for or bind the “sidecar” funds, have limited visibility and input into the actions and decisions of the general partner or manager of the “sidecar” funds and have no influence over the voting or disposition of the securities or other assets held by the “sidecar” funds. Our interest in the “sidecar” funds is generally limited to the opportunity to earn incentive fees, if any. The discussion of our private funds ignores “sidecar” funds unless specifically included, and we collapse fund structures into overall strategies, ignoring, for example, onshore and offshore separations and parallel funds.
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Statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023
The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes for our Asset Management and Other Services segment for the periods indicated.
| Asset Management and Other Services segment | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Asset management income/(loss) | $ | 44,627 | $ | 63,712 | $ | (19,085) | (30) | % | |||||||
| Other income/(loss) | 3,051 | 4,392 | (1,341) | (31) | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 47,678 | 68,104 | (20,426) | (30) | % | ||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | 21,901 | 24,461 | (2,560) | (10) | % | ||||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 5,440 | 3,564 | 1,876 | 53 | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 27,341 | 28,025 | (684) | (2) | % | ||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 20,337 | 40,079 | (19,742) | (49) | % |
Total revenues decreased 30% for the year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting a decrease in capital provision income earned by BOF-C and, therefore, less profit-sharing income from BOF-C contributing to asset management income for 2024.
Total operating expenses decreased 2% for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in compensation and benefits costs.
As a result of the factors described above, income before income taxes decreased 49% for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Asset management income
Asset management income is generally categorized as either (i) management fees, which are recurring fees paid to Burford for investment management services and typically being a rate of 2% or less charged on the basis of some component of assets under management in each fund, (ii) performance fees, which are fees paid to Burford contingent on satisfying certain performance thresholds as designated by each fund waterfall, or (iii) profit sharing income, which represents income from bespoke profit-sharing agreements with third-party investors, such as our strategic sovereign wealth fund partner.
The table below sets forth the components of our asset management income for the periods indicated.
| Asset Management and Other Services segment | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Management fee income | $ | 6,840 | $ | 7,750 | $ | (910) | (12) | % | |||||||
| Performance fee income | 1,500 | — | 1,500 | NM | |||||||||||
| Profit sharing income from private funds | 36,287 | 55,962 | (19,675) | (35) | % | ||||||||||
| Total asset management income | 44,627 | 63,712 | (19,085) | (30) | % |
Asset management income decreased 30% for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting lower profit-sharing income from BOF-C, mainly from lower unrealized gains/(losses) related to BOF-C's capital provision assets.
Statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023
The table below sets forth the components of our consolidated statements of financial condition for our Asset Management and Other Services segment as of the dates indicated.
| Asset Management and Other Services segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 12,650 | $ | 12,090 | $ | 560 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Other assets | 151,770 | 133,952 | 17,818 | 13 | % | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 190,377 | 172,016 | 18,361 | 11 | % |
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Total assets increased 11% as of December 31, 2024, primarily due to the unrealized income earned in BOF-C during the year, which increased the outstanding receivable from BOF-C within other assets.
Portfolio value – Asset Management and Other Services segment
The table below sets forth the components of our portfolio for our Asset Management and Other Services segment as of the dates indicated.
| Asset Management and Other Services segment | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % change | |||||||||||
| Capital provision assets - funded by third parties | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | $ | 1,353,893 | $ | 1,385,958 | $ | (32,065) | (2) | % | |||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 491,186 | 582,924 | (91,738) | (16) | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 1,845,079 | 1,968,882 | (123,803) | (6) | % | ||||||||||
| Post-settlement | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value | 272,424 | 298,854 | (26,430) | (9) | % | ||||||||||
| Undrawn commitments | 67,961 | 62,455 | 5,506 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 340,385 | 361,309 | (20,924) | (6) | % | ||||||||||
| Total portfolio value | 2,185,464 | 2,330,191 | (144,727) | (6) | % |
Total portfolio value, funded by third parties, decreased 6% as of December 31, 2024. The decrease in our total portfolio was driven largely by the impact of robust realizations which occurred in 2024.
Private funds
As of December 31, 2024, we operated eight private funds and three “sidecar” funds as an investment adviser registered with, and regulated by, the SEC. The table below sets forth key statistics for each of our private funds as of December 31, 2024.
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investor | Asset | Asset | Fee structure(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| commitments | commitments | deployments | (management/ | Investment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | Strategy(6) | closed | to date | to date | AUM | performance) | Waterfall | period (end) | ||||||||||||||||
| BCIM Partners II, LP(2) | Core legal finance | $ | 260 | $ | 253 | $ | 186 | $ | 141 | Class A: 2%/20%; Class B: 0%/50% | European | 12/15/2015 | ||||||||||||
| BCIM Partners III, LP | Core legal finance | 412 | 447 | 331 | 413 | 2%/20% | European | 1/1/2020(3) | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Opportunity Fund LP & Burford Opportunity Fund B LP (BOF) | Core legal finance | 300 | 399 | 300 | 377 | 2%/20% | European | 12/31/2021(4) | ||||||||||||||||
| BCIM Credit Opportunities, LP (COLP) | Post-settlement | 488 | 699 | 695 | 409 | 1% on undrawn/ 2% on funded and 20% incentive | European | 9/30/2019(3) | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Alternative Income Fund LP (BAIF)(2) | Post-settlement | 327 | 677 | 662 | 268 | 1.5%/10% | European | 4/4/2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Alternative Income Fund II LP (BAIF II) | Post-settlement | 350 | 349 | 289 | 382 | 1.5%/12.5% | European | 9/11/2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Advantage Master Fund LP (Advantage Fund) | Lower risk legal finance | 360 | 370 | 366 | 410 | Profit split(5) | American | 12/24/2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Burford Opportunity Fund C LP (BOF-C)(2) | Core legal finance | 766 | 1,274 | 781 | 1,055 | Expense reimbursement + profit share | Hybrid | 12/31/2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,263 | 4,468 | 3,610 | 3,455 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Management fees are paid to BCIM for investment management and advisory services provided to our private funds. The management fee rates set forth in the table above are annualized and applied to an asset or commitment base that typically varies between a private fund’s investment period and any subsequent periods in the fund term. We no longer earn any management fees from BCIM Partners II, LP, BCIM Partners III, LP, COLP and BAIF. Performance fees represent carried interest applied to distributions to a private fund’s limited partners after the return of capital contributions and preferred returns. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Includes amounts related to “sidecar” funds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. Ceased commitments to new legal finance assets in the fourth quarter of 2018 due to capacity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. Ceased commitments to new legal finance assets in the fourth quarter of 2020 due to capacity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5. The Advantage Fund does not have a traditional management and performance fee structure, but instead provides the first 10% of annual simple returns to the fund investors while we retain any excess returns. However, if the Advantage Fund produces returns in excess of 18% (which are supranormal for this level of risk), a level of sharing with the fund investors would take effect, but we do not expect that to occur. |
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As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, our total AUM was $3.5 billion and $3.4 billion respectively. AUM reflects the fair value of the capital invested in private funds and individual capital vehicles plus the capital that we are entitled to call from investors in those private funds and vehicles. The total portfolio value shown for our Asset Management & Other Services segment of $2.2 billion reflects the fair value of portfolio assets plus the undrawn commitments to portfolio assets, and also excludes the balance sheet’s interest in the Advantage Fund, which is reflected in the portfolio value for our Principal Finance segment.
Liquidity and capital resources
Overview
The table below sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third-party | segments | Third-party | segments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | interests | (Burford-only) | Consolidated | interests | (Burford-only) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 469,930 | $ | (28,269) | $ | 441,661 | $ | 220,549 | $ | (24,634) | $ | 195,915 | |||||||||||
| Marketable securities | 79,020 | — | 79,020 | 107,561 | — | 107,561 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 548,950 | (28,269) | 520,681 | 328,110 | — | (24,634) | 303,476 |
On a consolidated basis, our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities increased 67% as of December 31, 2024, while on a total segments (Burford-only) basis, our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities increased 72% as of December 31, 2024. The net increase in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities for both the consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) basis, primarily reflects the net proceeds from capital provision assets and the impact from the issuance of the Additional 2031 Notes (as defined below) in January 2024, partially offset by the impact of third-party net distribution, as well as by the impact from the partial redemption of the 6.125% bonds due 2025 and the payment of dividends.
Our marketable securities primarily consist of short-duration and generally investment-grade fixed income assets, the bulk of which are held in separately managed accounts, managed by a third-party asset manager that specializes in short-duration and money market investments.
Debt
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we issued an additional $275.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Additional 2031 Notes (as defined below) in January 2024 and purchased in open market transactions approximately $50.6 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Bonds (as defined below). As of December 31, 2024, we had five series of debt securities outstanding, of which two series were listed on the Order Book for Retail Bonds of the London Stock Exchange and three series were issued through private placement transactions under Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act. See note 12 (Debt) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to our outstanding debt securities.
We manage our business with relatively low levels of leverage and have laddered debt maturities with an overall weighted average maturity in excess of the expected weighted average life of our legal finance assets. As of December 31, 2024, the weighted average maturity of our outstanding debt securities of 4.5 years continued to be longer than the weighted average life of our concluded assets, weighted by realizations, of 2.6 years.
Going forward, we expect to continue to be an opportunistic issuer of debt securities and may issue new debt securities from time to time to fund our growth or refinance future debt maturities, among other things. In addition, from time to time, we may acquire our debt securities through open market purchases, redemptions, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as we may from time to time determine, for cash or other consideration.
Our debt securities that are listed on the Order Book for Retail Bonds of the London Stock Exchange as of the date of this 2024 Form 10-K contain one significant financial covenant, which is a leverage ratio requirement that we maintain a level of Group Net Debt (as defined in the trust deeds governing such debt securities, and generally equivalent to our consolidated net debt, or our total principal amount of debt outstanding less cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities) that is less than 50% of our Group Total Assets (as defined in the trust deeds governing such debt securities, and generally equivalent to our consolidated tangible assets,
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or our total assets less goodwill). As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, our consolidated net debt to consolidated tangible assets ratio was 20% and 22%, respectively. In addition, the indentures governing the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes contain certain restrictive covenants that, among other things, require us to have a Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes, as applicable) of less than 1.50 to 1.00, 1.75 to 1.00 or 2.00 to 1.00, as applicable, to use certain specified “baskets” in order to undertake specific actions, such as making restricted payments or permitted investments or incurring additional indebtedness. As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, our Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio was 0.8 to 1.00 and 0.7 to 1.00, respectively. Furthermore, the indenture governing the 2031 Notes contains certain restrictive covenants that, among other things, require us to have a Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio (as defined in the indenture governing the 2031 Notes) of less than 1.50 to 1.00, 1.75 to 1.00 or 2.00 to 1.00, as applicable, to use certain specified “baskets” in order to undertake specific actions, such as making restricted payments or permitted investments or incurring additional indebtedness. As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, our Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio was 0.7 to 1.00 and 0.6 to 1.00, respectively. See “—Reconciliations—Debt leverage ratio calculations” for the calculations of our debt leverage ratios. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the trust deeds and the indentures, as applicable.
We are required to provide certain information pursuant to the indentures governing the 2028 Notes, the 2030 Notes and 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) us and our Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes, the 2030 Notes and the 2031 Notes, as applicable) and (ii) our Unrestricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes, the 2030 Notes and the 2031 Notes, as applicable).
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Burford Capital Limited and its Restricted Subsidiaries | |||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,335,289 | $ | 4,922,451 | |||
| Third-party indebtedness | 1,763,612 | 1,534,730 | |||||
| Unrestricted Subsidiaries | |||||||
| Total assets | 839,736 | 914,943 | |||||
| Third-party indebtedness | — | — |
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (S in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Burford Capital Limited and its Restricted Subsidiaries | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 460,352 | $ | 973,461 | $ | 245,383 | |||||
| Unrestricted Subsidiaries | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 85,735 | 113,441 | 73,844 |
Cash flows
We believe our available cash and cash from operations, which include proceeds from our capital provision assets, will be adequate to fund our operations and future growth, satisfy our working capital requirements, meet obligations under our debt securities, pay dividends and meet other liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future.
Set forth below is a discussion of our cash flows for the periods indicated on a consolidated basis, unless noted otherwise.
The table below sets forth the components of our cash flows for the periods indicated.
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| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | $ | 216,725 | $ | (274,682) | |||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities | (661) | (3,212) | |||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities | 33,832 | 389,534 | |||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 249,896 | 111,640 |
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
The table below sets forth the components of our net cash provided/(used) by operating activities for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities before proceeds/(funding) of operating activities | $ | (252,056) | $ | (186,488) | |||
| Net proceeds from/(funding of) marketable securities | 32,577 | 34,471 | |||||
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | 991,292 | 559,362 | |||||
| Funding of capital provision assets | (555,088) | (682,027) | |||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | 216,725 | (274,682) |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $216.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The year-over-year change in net cash provided/(used) by operating activities reflects primarily an increase in proceeds received from capital provision assets to $991.3 million and a decrease in deployments on capital provision assets to $555.1 million.
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
Net cash used by investing activities was $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in net cash used by investing activities is primarily due to lower capital expenditures in 2024, as there was spending on leasehold improvements for the London office move in 2023.
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $33.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities is primarily due to higher outflow from third-party net capital distributions and less debt issuance year-over-year, partially offset by lower debt extinguishments.
Cash receipts (non-GAAP financial measure)
Cash receipts represent cash generated during the reporting period from our capital provision assets, asset
management income and certain other items, before any deployments into financing existing or new assets. See “— Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—Non-GAAP financial measures—Cash receipts” for additional information with respect to our cash receipts. See “—Cash flows” for a discussion of our cash flows on a consolidated basis prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
The table below sets forth the components of our cash receipts for the periods indicated on a Burford-only basis.
| Burford-only (non-GAAP) | Years ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | $ | 648,477 | $ | 442,066 | |||
| Proceeds from asset management income | 26,491 | 32,321 | |||||
| Proceeds from other items(1) | 24,179 | 14,822 | |||||
| Cash receipts | 699,147 | 489,209 | |||||
| 1. See “—Reconciliations—Cash receipts reconciliations” for additional information with respect to the components of this line item. |
On a Burford-only basis, our cash receipts increased 43% for the year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting primarily cash received from realizations during 2024 and collections on the due from settlement of capital
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provision assets receivable that was outstanding as of December 31, 2023. Of the $185.3 million of due from settlement receivables as of December 31, 2023, 97% was collected in cash during 2024.
See “—Reconciliations—Cash receipts reconciliation” for a reconciliation of cash receipts to proceeds from capital provision assets, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
Dividends
The table below sets forth our dividend payments during the year ended December 31, 2024.
| ($ in cents) | Cash dividend per ordinary share | Payment Date | Record Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 final dividend | 6.25 | June 14, 2024 | May 24, 2024 | ||||
| 2024 interim dividend | 6.25 | December 5, 2024 | November 1, 2024 | ||||
| Total dividend payments made during the year ended December, 31, 2024 | 12.50 |
On February 28, 2025, the Board of Directors has 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.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, we had off-balance sheet arrangements relating to legal finance assets with structured entities that aggregate claims from multiple parties in the amount of $4.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively. See note 15 (Variable interest entities) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to structured entities.
Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires our
management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of capital provision assets. Our management bases these estimates and judgments on available information, historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, these estimates, judgments and assumptions are often subjective and may be impacted negatively based on changing circumstances or changes in our analyses. We believe that our critical accounting policies could potentially produce materially different results if we were to change underlying estimates, judgments and/or assumptions.
Set forth below are certain aspects of our critical accounting policy. For a full discussion of this critical accounting policy and other significant accounting policies, see note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K.
Fair value of capital provision assets
The determination of fair value for capital provision assets and financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets involves significant estimates and judgments. While the potential range of outcomes for the assets is wide, our fair value estimation is our best assessment of the current fair value of each asset or liability. Such an estimate is inherently subjective, being based largely on management’s estimate of forecasted cash flows, an assigned discount rate and an assessment of how individual events have changed the possible outcomes of the asset 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 our management’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. See note 14 (Fair value of assets and liabilities) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K and “—Fair value of capital provision assets” for additional information with respect to fair value.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, should management’s estimate of the value of those instruments have been 10% higher or lower, as applicable, than provided for in our fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, our consolidated income and net assets would have increased and decreased, respectively, by $466.3 million and $458.7 million, respectively.
Furthermore, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, should interest rates have been 50 or 100 basis points lower or higher, as applicable, than the actual interest rates used in the fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, the Group’s consolidated income and net assets and the Principal Finance
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segment’s income and net assets would have increased or decreased, respectively, by the amounts set forth below.
| Consolidated | December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| +100 bps interest rates | $ | (153,241) | $ | (161,110) | |||
| +50 bps interest rates | (77,644) | (81,745) | |||||
| -50 bps interest rates | 78,514 | 82,724 | |||||
| -100 bps interest rates | 159,169 | 167,944 |
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| +100 bps interest rates | $ | (109,132) | $ | (112,951) | |||
| +50 bps interest rates | (55,276) | (57,283) | |||||
| -50 bps interest rates | 56,046 | 58,124 | |||||
| -100 bps interest rates | 113,583 | 117,946 |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, should duration have been six or 12 months lower or higher, as applicable, than the actual duration used in the fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, the Group’s consolidated income and net assets and the Principal Finance segment’s income and net assets would have increased or decreased, respectively, by the amounts set forth below.
| Consolidated | December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| +12 months duration(1) | $ | (396,845) | $ | (363,901) | |||
| +6 months duration(1) | (200,908) | (188,718) | |||||
| -6 months duration(1) | 196,721 | 203,442 | |||||
| -12 months duration(1) | 405,926 | 393,248 | |||||
| 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 consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to the valuation methodology for Level 3 assets. |
| Principal Finance segment | December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| +12 months duration(1) | $ | (268,484) | $ | (244,518) | |||
| +6 months duration(1) | (135,827) | (126,583) | |||||
| -6 months duration(1) | 133,446 | 136,794 | |||||
| -12 months duration(1) | 280,636 | 266,701 | |||||
| 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 consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K 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 our consolidated income and net assets because the fluctuation in our effective tax rate from period to period could indicate changes in sensitivity not driven by the valuation that we consider difficult to follow and detract from the comparability of this information.
Contractual obligations
Our material contractual obligations consist of financial liabilities relating to (i) definitive commitments to financing arrangements, (ii) debt securities and related interest payments, (iii) operating leases and (iv) third-party interests in capital provision assets. See note 20 (Financial commitments and contingent liabilities) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K for additional information with respect to our contractual obligations. See “—Segments—Principal Finance segment—Undrawn commitments – Principal Finance segment” and “—Segments—Asset Management and Other Services segment—Portfolio value – Asset Management and Other Services segment” for information with respect to our undrawn commitments.
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Recent accounting standards updates
See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements) to our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K for further information.
Reconciliations
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of the consolidated statements of financial condition to total segments (Burford-only) statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated. See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—Non-GAAP financial measures relating to our business structure” for additional information.
The first column in the tables below sets forth our results of operations on a consolidated basis as reported in our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP. These results of operations include investments in a number of entities that are not wholly owned subsidiaries of Burford Capital Limited and, therefore, contain third-party capital, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado and, prior to its liquidation in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Strategic Value Fund. The presentation of our results of operations on a consolidated basis requires a line-by-line consolidation of 100% of each non-wholly owned entity’s assets and liabilities. The portion of the net assets that is attributable to the third-party interests are then presented separately as single line items within the consolidated statements of financial condition. We believe it is helpful to exclude the interests of investors other than Burford in our discussion of our results of operations, and we have therefore, as an alternative presentation, excluded from our presentation of our results of operations the non-Burford portion of the individual assets and liabilities relating to such third-party capital. The reconciliations eliminate the line-by-line consolidation of all the applicable entities’ individual assets and liabilities required by US GAAP to present Burford’s investment in the non-wholly owned entities and Burford’s share of the gain or loss earned on such investment.
Reconciliations of consolidated statements of financial condition to total segments (Burford-only) statements of financial condition
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of consolidated statements of financial condition to total segments (Burford-only) statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 469,930 | $ | (28,269) | $ | 441,661 | |||||
| Marketable securities | 79,020 | — | 79,020 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 61,006 | 114,475 | 175,481 | ||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 183,858 | (207) | 183,651 | ||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,243,917 | (1,672,693) | 3,571,224 | ||||||||
| Goodwill | 133,948 | — | 133,948 | ||||||||
| Deferred tax asset | 3,346 | — | 3,346 | ||||||||
| Total assets | 6,175,025 | (1,586,694) | 4,588,331 | ||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Debt interest payable | 12,097 | — | 12,097 | ||||||||
| Other liabilities | 141,973 | (2,238) | 139,735 | ||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation payable | 217,552 | — | 217,552 | ||||||||
| Debt payable | 1,763,612 | — | 1,763,612 | ||||||||
| Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets | 747,053 | (747,053) | — | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | 35,903 | — | 35,903 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | 2,918,190 | (749,291) | 2,168,899 | ||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | 3,256,835 | (837,403) | 2,419,432 |
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| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 220,549 | $ | (24,634) | $ | 195,915 | |||||
| Marketable securities | 107,561 | — | 107,561 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 63,464 | 96,653 | 160,117 | ||||||||
| Due from settlement of capital provision assets | 265,540 | (80,273) | 185,267 | ||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,045,388 | (1,613,276) | 3,432,112 | ||||||||
| Goodwill | 133,965 | — | 133,965 | ||||||||
| Deferred tax asset | 927 | — | 927 | ||||||||
| Total assets | 5,837,394 | (1,621,530) | 4,215,864 | ||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Debt interest payable | 34,416 | — | 34,416 | ||||||||
| Other liabilities | 122,199 | (412) | 121,787 | ||||||||
| Long-term incentive compensation payable | 183,134 | — | 183,134 | ||||||||
| Debt payable | 1,534,730 | — | 1,534,730 | ||||||||
| Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets | 704,196 | (704,196) | — | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | 50,939 | — | 50,939 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | 2,629,614 | (704,608) | 1,925,006 | ||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | 3,207,780 | (916,922) | 2,290,858 |
Reconciliations of capital provision assets
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period and unrealized fair value as of the end of period to total segments (Burford-only) capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period and unrealized fair value as of the end of period, in each case, for the periods indicated.
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Beginning of period | $ | 5,045,388 | $ | (1,613,276) | $ | 3,432,112 | |||||
| Deployments | 555,088 | (155,776) | 399,312 | ||||||||
| Realizations | (907,042) | 260,166 | (646,876) | ||||||||
| Income for the period | 567,646 | (164,471) | 403,175 | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | (17,163) | 664 | (16,499) | ||||||||
| End of period | 5,243,917 | (1,672,693) | 3,571,224 | ||||||||
| Deployed cost, end of period | 2,341,377 | (668,784) | 1,672,593 | ||||||||
| Unrealized fair value, end of period | 2,902,540 | (1,003,909) | 1,898,631 | ||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,243,917 | (1,672,693) | 3,571,224 |
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| Year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Beginning of period | $ | 3,735,556 | $ | (1,099,116) | $ | 2,636,440 | |||||
| Deployments | 682,027 | (270,234) | 411,793 | ||||||||
| Realizations | (708,293) | 195,638 | (512,655) | ||||||||
| Income for the period | 1,333,262 | (445,048) | 888,214 | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 2,836 | 5,484 | 8,320 | ||||||||
| End of period | 5,045,388 | (1,613,276) | 3,432,112 | ||||||||
| Deployed cost, end of period | 2,280,563 | (668,281) | 1,612,282 | ||||||||
| Unrealized fair value, end of period | 2,764,825 | (944,995) | 1,819,830 | ||||||||
| Capital provision assets | 5,045,388 | (1,613,276) | 3,432,112 |
Reconciliations of capital provision income
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated capital provision income to total segments (Burford-only) capital provision income for the periods indicated.
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Net realized gains/(losses) | $ | 439,665 | $ | (112,491) | $ | 327,174 | |||||
| Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 127,981 | (51,980) | 76,001 | ||||||||
| Income/(loss) on capital provision assets | 567,646 | (164,471) | 403,175 | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | (15,701) | 529 | (15,172) | ||||||||
| Net income/(loss) on due from settlement of capital provision assets | 2,704 | — | 2,704 | ||||||||
| Net gains/(losses) on financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss | (2,583) | — | (2,583) | ||||||||
| Total capital provision income | 552,066 | (163,942) | 388,124 |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Net realized gains/(losses) | $ | 251,618 | $ | (64,242) | $ | 187,376 | |||||
| Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 1,081,644 | (380,806) | 700,838 | ||||||||
| Income/(loss) on capital provision assets | 1,333,262 | (445,048) | 888,214 | ||||||||
| Interest and other income | 650 | — | 650 | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 8,012 | (505) | 7,507 | ||||||||
| Net income/(loss) on due from settlement of capital provision assets | (1) | 1 | — | ||||||||
| Total capital provision income | 1,341,923 | (445,552) | 896,371 |
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Reconciliations of due from settlement of capital provision assets
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated due from settlement of capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period to total segments (Burford-only) due from settlement of capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period for the periods indicated.
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Beginning of period | $ | 265,540 | $ | (80,273) | $ | 185,267 | |||||
| Transfer of realizations from capital provision assets | 907,042 | (260,166) | 646,876 | ||||||||
| Other income/(loss) | 2,704 | — | 2,704 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | (991,292) | 340,232 | (651,060) | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | (136) | — | (136) | ||||||||
| End of period | 183,858 | (207) | 183,651 |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Beginning of period | $ | 116,582 | $ | (1,932) | $ | 114,650 | |||||
| Transfer of realizations from capital provision assets | 708,293 | (195,638) | 512,655 | ||||||||
| Net realized gains/(losses)(1) | (11,330) | 11,330 | — | ||||||||
| Unrealized gains/(losses) on due from settlement of capital provision assets, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses) | 11,329 | (11,329) | — | ||||||||
| Proceeds from capital provision assets | (559,362) | 117,296 | (442,066) | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 28 | — | 28 | ||||||||
| End of period | 265,540 | (80,273) | 185,267 | ||||||||
| 1. The net realized loss of $11.3 million represents the realization of a previously recognized $11.3 million unrealized loss as described in the 2023 Annual Report. The net impact for the year ended December 31, 2024, is $1,000 reported as net loss on due from settlement of capital provision assets in note 6 (Capital provision assets). |
Reconciliations of capital provision undrawn commitments
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of the consolidated capital provision undrawn commitments to total segments (Burford-only) capital provision undrawn commitments as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Definitive | $ | 962,808 | $ | (189,135) | $ | 773,673 | |||||
| Discretionary | 1,032,433 | (214,568) | 817,865 | ||||||||
| Legal risk (definitive) | 41,318 | — | 41,318 | ||||||||
| Total capital provision undrawn commitments | 2,036,559 | (403,703) | 1,632,856 |
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | ||||||||
| Definitive | $ | 839,973 | $ | (248,031) | $ | 591,942 | |||||
| Discretionary | 977,733 | (211,196) | 766,537 | ||||||||
| Legal risk (definitive) | 55,583 | (6,057) | 49,526 | ||||||||
| Total capital provision undrawn commitments | 1,873,289 | (465,284) | 1,408,005 |
Reconciliations of asset management income
The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated asset management income to total segments (Burford-only) asset management income for the periods indicated.
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| Year ended December 31, 2024 | Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | Consolidated | Third-party interests | Total segments (Burford-only) | |||||||||||||||||
| Management fee income | $ | 6,840 | $ | — | $ | 6,840 | $ | 7,642 | $ | 108 | $ | 7,750 | |||||||||||
| Performance fee income | 1,500 | — | 1,500 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing income from funds | — | 36,287 | 36,287 | — | 55,962 | 55,962 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total asset management income | 8,340 | 36,287 | 44,627 | 7,642 | 56,070 | 63,712 |
Deployments reconciliations
The table below sets forth the reconciliations of the components of consolidated deployments to Burford-only deployments for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Consolidated deployments | $ | 555,088 | $ | 682,027 | |||
| Plus/(Less): Third-party interests | (155,776) | (270,234) | |||||
| Total segments (Burford-only) total deployments | 399,312 | 411,793 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Capital deployed to fund level but not yet invested | (709) | (5,240) | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Capital deployed in prior years and invested in the current year | 50 | 3,727 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost | 1,549 | 988 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Deployments on behalf of subparticipations | 512 | 283 | |||||
| Adjusted Burford-only total deployments | 400,714 | 411,551 |
See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—KPIs” and “Certain terms used in this 2024 Form 10-K” for additional information with respect to certain terms useful for the understanding of our deployments information and “—Segments—Principal Finance segment—Portfolio value – Principal Finance segment” for additional information with respect to our deployments.
Realizations reconciliations
The table below sets forth the reconciliations of the components of consolidated realizations to Burford-only realizations for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Consolidated realizations | $ | 907,042 | $ | 708,293 | |||
| Plus/(Less): Third-party interests | (260,166) | (195,638) | |||||
| Total segments (Burford-only) total realizations | 646,876 | 512,655 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Realizations from other income on due from settlement of capital provision assets | 2,704 | — | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Loss from financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | (2,583) | — | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Realizations from investment subparticipations | — | 199 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Reported realizations held at joint venture and not yet distributed | 6,520 | 10,702 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Reported realizations held at fund level and not yet distributed | 840 | 7,070 | |||||
| Plus/(Less): Prior period realizations held at fund level and distributed in the current period | (13,233) | — | |||||
| Adjusted Burford-only total realizations | 641,124 | 530,626 |
See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—KPIs” and “Certain terms used in this 2024 Form 10-K” for additional information with respect to certain terms useful for the understanding of our realizations information and “—
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Segments—Principal Finance segment—Portfolio value – Principal Finance segment” for additional information with respect to our realizations.
Cash receipts reconciliations
The table below sets forth the reconciliations of Burford-only cash receipts to consolidated cash receipts, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP, for the periods indicated.
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Consolidated proceeds from capital provision assets | $ | 991,292 | $ | 559,362 | |||
| Less: Third-party interests | (340,232) | (117,296) | |||||
| Total segments (Burford-only) proceeds from capital provision assets | 651,060 | 442,066 | |||||
| Plus: Loss on financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | (2,583) | — | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from capital provision assets | 648,477 | 442,066 | |||||
| Consolidated asset management income | 8,340 | 7,642 | |||||
| Plus: Eliminated income from funds | 36,287 | 56,070 | |||||
| Total segments (Burford-only) asset management income | 44,627 | 63,712 | |||||
| Less: Non-cash adjustments(1) | (18,136) | (31,391) | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from asset management income | 26,491 | 32,321 | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from marketable securities interest and dividends | 20,554 | 6,297 | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from other income | 3,625 | 8,525 | |||||
| Burford-only proceeds from other items | 24,179 | 14,822 | |||||
| Cash receipts | 699,147 | 489,209 | |||||
| 1. Adjustments for the change in asset management receivables accrued during the applicable period but not yet received as of the end of such period. |
See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—Non-GAAP financial measures” and “—Liquidity and capital resources—Cash receipts” for additional information with respect to cash receipts.
Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share reconciliations
The table below sets forth the reconciliations of tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share to total Burford Capital Limited equity, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP, as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands, except share data) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Burford Capital Limited equity | $ | 2,419,432 | $ | 2,290,858 | |||
| Less: Goodwill | (133,948) | (133,965) | |||||
| Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited | 2,285,484 | 2,156,893 | |||||
| Basic ordinary shares outstanding | 219,421,904 | 218,962,441 | |||||
| Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share | 10.42 | 9.85 |
See “—Basis of presentation of financial information—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—Non-GAAP financial measures” for additional information with respect to tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share.
Debt leverage ratio calculations
Consolidated net debt to consolidated tangible assets ratio calculation
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The table below sets forth the calculations of consolidated net debt to consolidated tangible assets ratio as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Total principal amount of debt outstanding(1) | $ | 1,783,690 | $ | 1,563,073 | |||
| Less: Cash and cash equivalents | (469,930) | (220,549) | |||||
| Less: Marketable securities | (79,020) | (107,561) | |||||
| Consolidated net debt | 1,234,740 | 1,234,963 | |||||
| Total assets | 6,175,025 | 5,837,394 | |||||
| Less: Goodwill | (133,948) | (133,965) | |||||
| Consolidated tangible assets | 6,041,077 | 5,703,429 | |||||
| Consolidated net debt to consolidated tangible assets ratio | 20 | % | 22 | % | |||
| 1. Represents the total principal amount of debt outstanding as set forth in note 12 (Debt) to our condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this 2024 Form 10-K. Debt securities denominated in pound sterling have been converted to US dollar using GBP/USD exchange rates of $1.2529 and $1.2747 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. |
See “—Liquidity and capital resources—Debt” for additional information with respect to our debt securities.
Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio calculation
The table below sets forth the calculations of Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio (as defined in the indentures governing the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes, as applicable) as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Debt payable | $ | 1,763,612 | $ | 1,534,730 | |||
| Less: Debt attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | — | — | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness | 1,763,612 | 1,534,730 | |||||
| Total equity | 3,256,835 | 3,207,780 | |||||
| Less: Equity attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | (822,492) | (901,146) | |||||
| Less: Goodwill | (133,948) | (133,965) | |||||
| Net Tangible Equity | 2,300,395 | 2,172,669 | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness to Net Tangible Equity Ratio | 0.77x | 0.71x |
See “—Liquidity and capital resources—Debt” for additional information with respect to our debt securities.
Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio calculation
The table below sets forth the calculations of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio (as defined in the indenture governing the 2031 Notes) as of the dates indicated.
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| December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Debt payable | $ | 1,763,612 | $ | 1,534,730 | |||
| Less: Debt attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | — | — | |||||
| Less: The lesser of specified cash and cash equivalents or $100 million | (100,000) | (100,000) | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness | 1,663,612 | 1,434,730 | |||||
| Total equity | 3,256,835 | 3,207,780 | |||||
| Less: Equity attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries | (822,492) | (901,146) | |||||
| Consolidated Equity | 2,434,343 | 2,306,634 | |||||
| Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Equity Ratio | 0.68x | 0.62x |
See “—Liquidity and capital resources—Debt” for additional information with respect to our debt securities.