Omni Bridgeway and Justice Without Borders Launch Innovative “Recycling” Fund to Support Migrant Domestic Workers’ Pursuit of Justice

Omni Bridgeway and Justice Without Borders Launch Innovative “Recycling” Fund to Support Migrant Domestic Workers’ Pursuit of Justice

Omni Bridgeway, a leading global dispute and litigation finance firm with 40 years of experience, and Justice Without Borders (JWB), a Hong Kong based non-profit dedicated to enabling Asian migrant domestic workers to pursue claims across borders, have partnered to introduce an innovative “recycling” pro bono disbursement fund. Provided by Omni Bridgeway, this fund will be used for critical case disbursements and court-ordered security for costs in legal proceedings that JWB supports on behalf of vulnerable migrant workers. While many workers can access pro bono legal representation, out-of-pocket litigation costs – such as court fees, expert reports, translation, and security for costs – often force them to abandon valid claims. This sustainable funding model ensures each dollar can be reused to help many workers seek justice over time. This structure enables each dollar to support multiple claims over time, creating a sustainable and scalable pathway to justice.

Background – Bridging a Gap in Access to Justice: JWB, founded in 2013 and operating across Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and beyond, focuses on helping migrant domestic workers pursue justice even after they return to their home countries. These workers – often from developing countries employed as live-in caregivers or housekeepers in Hong Kong and Singapore – face significant hurdles in seeking justice when their rights are infringed by employers. While pro bono lawyers may offer free representation, the out-of-pocket costs of litigation (filing fees, expert reports, translation, and required security for costs deposits) remain a major barrier. By covering these expenses upfront and recycling any reimbursements, the new Omni Bridgeway fund directly removes a key financial obstacle that has historically forced many migrant workers to abandon their claims. This fund directly removes that barrier by covering upfront costs and reinvesting recovered funds into future cases.

Advancing Impact through Cross-Sector Collaboration – This initiative showcases how a commercial legal financier and an access-to-justice NGO can unite strengths to drive social impact. It combines Omni Bridgeway’s capital and legal finance expertise with JWB’s on the ground case support and cross-border capabilities. Celine Chan, Executive Director of Justice Without Borders, explains: “Justice should not stop at a border or depend on whether someone can afford court or courier fees. With Omni Bridgeway’s ‘recycling’ model, we can support claims that are credible and urgent – while ensuring the same funding can amplify our impact over time.”

Innovation in Legal Finance for Good – For Omni Bridgeway, traditionally known for funding high-value commercial disputes, this project aligns with its commitment to corporate social responsibility and access to justice. Mitchell Dearness, Investment Manager at Omni Bridgeway in Singapore notes: “Omni Bridgeway and Justice Without Borders share strong relationships with many of the same law firms. A number of firms providing pro bono support to JWB also act for funded parties in matters we finance. We are excited to be able to support those firms and JWB through this innovative facility, which fills a critical gap by covering costs that pro bono representation alone cannot address.” This initiative reflects a broader shift in legal finance toward supporting public-interest outcomes, demonstrating how innovative funding models can expand access to justice for vulnerable communities.

ABOUT OMNI BRIDGEWAY
Omni Bridgeway is the global leader in legal finance and risk management, including dispute and litigation finance from case inception to post-judgment enforcement and recovery. Listed on the ASX, Omni Bridgeway operates from over 20 international locations.