JustFund Expands to NZ After $1B+ in Aussie Settlements

In the world of family law, financial pressure often compounds emotional trauma. That’s precisely the issue Australian fintech JustFund was built to solve and which has just crossed the Tasman with the aim of doing the same for Kiwis.

Launched in Sydney in 2022, JustFund offers an alternative to traditional loans or legal aid by financing legal fees based on a client’s entitlement in a property settlement, not their credit score or income. It’s not a loan but a line of credit that is flexible, interest-free, and repaid only once the case is resolved.

Who’s Behind It?

JustFund was founded by former lawyers Jack O’Donnell and Andy O’Connor, alongside fintech veteran Craig Carroll.

“JustFund’s flexible legal funding has been uniquely tailored to a process that is fraught with emotional turmoil and financial strain,” Craig Carroll said after the company completed a $7 million capital raise from Xilium Capital.

“We often see that the situation is exacerbated by disparities in financial sophistication, access to funds, income capacity or credit scores between parties.”

JustFund was born as a tech-powered and client-focused tool that would level the playing field for those experiencing financial control or domestic abuse.

There’s some major backing for the company, including:

• $5.7M in seed capital
• $7M debt round led by Xilium Capital
• $75M senior debt facility from Global Credit Investments
• $11M mezzanine funding from high-profile investors like UpBank founder Dom Pym, Startmate, The LegalTech Fund, and Matt Allen of Tractor Ventures

And, most recently, $200 million has come in a warehouse facility provided by MA Financial Group, a massive endorsement of the model’s financial and ethical viability.

Domestic Success

The business has been doing very well in its domestic market with its domestic-loans, intending to replicate that success with its entree into New Zealand.

The firm has facilitiated over $1.3 billion in settlements with over 2300 supported clients and over 600 accredited law firms, which are also joining in quick succession.

The bulk of clients – at around 70 percent – are women and 74 percent are primary caregivers. Many are navigating emotionally charged disputes where financial stress is weaponised. JustFund cuts through the red tape and lets lawyers do what they do best, to represent their clients.

And Now—Hello, New Zealand

JustFund has officially launched in Auckland, with an eye on replicating their Australian model to assist New Zealanders caught in costly family disputes.

They’ve begun partnering with local family law firms, providing Kiwi clients with the same financial support system, minus the crushing pressure of upfront costs or predatory lenders. It represents a shift in the family law landscape that could prove transformative, especially for clients on the financial backfoot.

Boon For Family Lawyers

For family lawyers frustrated by clients unable to fund their own cases, or forced to settle too early, JustFund offers a strategic advantage. It can mean longer runway, better outcomes, and clients who feel supported from day one.

For firms it’s a way to take on important cases without shouldering the financial risk yourself.

In an era where access to justice is increasingly paywalled, JustFund is building a workaround—one line of credit at a time.