Divorce Funding Startup JustFund Expands Into NZ With Backing From Top Family Law Firms
A legal lifeline for the “missing middle” hits New Zealand shores as Australian legal finance startup JustFund launches in New Zealand, offering flexible funding for clients navigating divorce or separation — and it’s doing so with the support of several New Zealand family law firms.
Founded in Sydney in 2022, Sydney-based JustFund launched in 2022 cofounded by former lawyers Andy O’Connor and Jack O’Donnell, and fintech entrepreneur Craig Carroll (pictured).
JustFund has built a network of over 600 accredited law firms nationally in Australia approving more than $95 million in legal funding for their clients. It now seeks to replicate its success in the New Zealand family law market.
JustFund was created with a mission to help people who are caught between the cracks of legal aid and private representation — those who earn too much for public support, but not enough to afford quality legal help.
Justice, Without the Upfront Price Tag
At the core of JustFund’s model is a straightforward concept: access to justice shouldn’t be based on your bank balance.
Co-founder and co-CEO Andy O’Connor puts it plainly:
“Divorce doesn’t care about postcode. We launched this to level a playing field that’s anything but.”
Unlike banks or traditional lenders, JustFund doesn’t look at income or credit scores. Instead, it assesses an applicant’s likely relationship property settlement. If approved, funds are paid directly to the family law firm, and repayment happens only once the property split is finalised.
Loans can range from $5,000 to $1 million, giving clients a buffer during what is often the most emotionally and financially draining period of their lives.
Backed by Leading Law Firms
To kick off its Kiwi operations, JustFund has teamed up with a strong lineup of local firms including Denham Bramwell, Stace Hammond, Holland Beckett and Capstone Law
It’s also opened a new Auckland office and onboarded legal staff to support its rapid growth here.
The company’s goal is to have 100+ accredited law firms on board across New Zealand by the end of 2025.
The ‘Missing Middle’ Problem
Each year, around 8,000 divorces are filed in New Zealand. But many of those affected are in what JustFund and others call the “missing middle” — clients stuck without support.
Lauren Milne, director of Family Law New Zealand, says it’s a systemic gap:
“Time and again, I’ve seen clients give up fair settlements because they simply couldn’t afford to fight.”
She notes that even those who technically qualify for legal aid often can’t find lawyers willing (or available) to take them on.
“It doesn’t matter whether your divorce costs $10,000 or $200,000. If you don’t have it, the result is the same: you’re locked out.”
More Than a Loan – It’s Leverage
Since its launch in Australia, JustFund has supported thousands of clients and unlocked around $1.3 billion in settlements. The platform has become a tool not just for funding, but for giving people back their footing.
As O’Connor says, the impact goes far beyond the dollar figure:
“For many, separation is the lowest financial moment of their lives. The right legal support at the right time prevents bad settlements and helps people move forward — with dignity.”
