A Latin phrase meaning “while litigation is pending.” Used in family law to refer to temporary financial orders made during proceedings — for example, interim maintenance payments made while the final financial settlement is being decided.
Every legal and financial term used on this site — explained without jargon. If something is confusing, it should be here.
A Latin phrase meaning “while litigation is pending.” Used in family law to refer to temporary financial orders made during proceedings — for example, interim maintenance payments made while the final financial settlement is being decided.
The time limit within which a creditor can take legal action to recover a debt. In England and Wales, for most consumer debts, this is 6 years from the date of default or last acknowledgment of the debt. Take advice before making any payment on old debts.
A legal claim against a professional (such as a solicitor) who has failed in their duty of care, causing you financial loss. May be relevant if your solicitor failed to disclose a referral relationship with your funder, did not advise you on lower-cost alternatives, or misrepresented the likely terms of the loan.
The body that regulates solicitors in England and Wales. If you believe your solicitor acted improperly — for example, by failing to disclose a financial relationship with a funder, or by not advising you on alternatives to a litigation loan — you can make a formal complaint to the SRA.
A free, independent UK service that investigates complaints about financial services companies. If you believe a lender has treated you unfairly and your formal complaint has not been resolved satisfactorily, you can escalate to the FOS. Their decisions are binding on the financial firm.
An informal agreement — usually arranged through a debt charity such as StepChange or National Debtline — where you make a single monthly payment which is then distributed to your creditors. Not legally binding, but creditors often agree to freeze interest and charges.
A formal, legally binding agreement between you and your creditors to repay what you owe over a fixed period (typically 5–6 years), usually at a reduced amount. An IVA is administered by a licensed Insolvency Practitioner and affects your credit file. An alternative to bankruptcy.
A legal mechanism allowing a creditor who has obtained a CCJ to secure the debt against property you own. It does not mean immediate repossession — it means the debt may be recovered when the property is sold.
A court order issued in England and Wales requiring someone to repay money owed to a creditor. A CCJ appears on your credit file for 6 years and can affect your ability to get credit, rent property, or obtain a mortgage. You have the right to respond to a claim before a CCJ is entered.
Both parties instruct solicitors who are committed to resolving matters without court proceedings. All four parties meet together to reach agreement. If the collaborative process breaks down, both solicitors must be replaced before court proceedings can begin.
A process in which both parties work with a trained, neutral mediator to reach agreement — without going to court. Significantly cheaper than contested litigation and often faster. The mediator does not make decisions; they help the parties reach their own agreement.
The part of a divorce that deals with dividing money, property, and other financial assets and liabilities. This is separate from the divorce itself and can continue long after the marriage is legally dissolved.
An informal term for the total pool of assets and liabilities to be divided between both parties in a divorce settlement. Litigation loan debt is considered part of this pot — meaning it reduces what is available to be divided.
A divorce where the two parties cannot reach agreement on key issues — typically finances, property division, or child arrangements — and a court must decide. Contested divorces are significantly more expensive and take longer (often 2–4 years) than uncontested divorces.
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2013. The legislation that removed legal aid from most family law cases in England and Wales. The resulting gap in access to justice is widely considered to be a primary reason why litigation funding in divorce grew so rapidly.
Government-funded legal help for people who cannot afford a solicitor. Since 2013 (under LASPO), legal aid has been mostly removed from divorce cases in England and Wales. It still exists in limited circumstances, including cases involving domestic abuse. Always check eligibility before assuming you don’t qualify.
Contact us and we'll add it to the glossary.