APCIA Encourages Support for Legislation to Improve Transparency in Third Party Litigation Funding

WASHINGTON - The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) released the following statement encouraging support for the Protecting Third Party Litigation Funding From Abuse Act. The bill was introduced by Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA). The House Judiciary Committee is holding a full committee mark up tomorrow. The following statement may be attributed to Sam Whitfield, APCIA's senior vice president of federal government relations and political engagement.

"APCIA applauds Representative Issa for introducing this legislation and his leadership in providing greater clarity in third party litigation funding.

"This legislation is a positive step forward to ensure that all parties that have contractual funding arrangements with plaintiffs' attorneys are visible to the court. Undisclosed third party litigation funding can inflate costs and shrouds court proceedings in secrecy, eroding confidence in the civil justice system.

"APCIA thanks Representative Issa's diligence to gain support for this needed bill. We believe this will facilitate critical litigation transparency in the legal system. We will continue working with Representative Issa, the bill's sponsors, and other stakeholders as the legislation evolves to ensure it delivers disclosure requirements for parties who engage in for profit investing through our courts."