Phil Newland

Phil Newland originated and grew litigation funding in New Zealand with the establishment of his LPF Group in 2009, most recently co-funding the landmark ASB/ANZ banking class action, in which more than 150,000 customers alleged disclosure breaches nder the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act. The ASB settled for $135.6 million.

The LPF success, based on unlocking complex, high-value claims that would otherwise be uneconomic to pursue, has returned hundreds of millions of dollars to claimants with actions including the Mainzeal litigation, setting precedent-setting director liability findings and the kiwifruit PSA class action which secured significant compensation for growers and post‑harvest operators.

By rigorously vetting claims, partnering with top silks and firms, and assuming adverse costs risk, LPF has normalised third‑party funding in New Zealand and materially expanded access to justice in the commercial and consumer spheres.

The Mainzeal case resulted in a Supreme Court ruling ordering former directors to pay $111 million, validating third-party funding despite defendants’ aggressive tactics. Newland’s recent op-ed criticized those tactics as unnecessarily prolonging litigation.

Newland’s influence stems from enabling cases that wouldn’t otherwise proceed – giving plaintiffs without deep pockets the ability to challenge corporate malfeasance. At No. 18, his power is structural – he’s changing who can afford justice.