This bill seeks to enhance transparency and impose limitations on foreign third-party litigation funding within the United States federal court system. It amends chapter 111 of title 28, United States Code, to introduce new disclosure requirements and outright prohibitions on certain types of foreign funding. A key provision mandates that parties or their counsel in civil actions must disclose to the court, other parties, and the Attorney General any foreign person, foreign state, or sovereign wealth fund that has a contingent right to payment based on the litigation's outcome. This disclosure includes the funder's identity and the agreement details, along with a certification regarding the foreign source of funds. These disclosures must be made under penalty of perjury and are subject to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure sanctions for non-compliance. Crucially, the bill establishes a prohibition making it unlawful for any party or counsel to enter into third-party litigation funding agreements where the money is directly or indirectly sourced from a foreign state or a sovereign wealth fund . Any such agreement is deemed null and void. These measures apply to all civil actions pending or commenced on or after the bill's enactment date. Furthermore, the legislation requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to Congress detailing foreign third-party litigation funding activities in federal courts. These reports must include information such as the identities of funders, sources of money, judicial districts involved, estimated funding amounts, and the subject matters of the civil actions receiving such funding.
Civil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightForeign and international bankingJudicial procedure and administration
Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-3180| Senate
| Updated: 11/18/2025
This bill seeks to enhance transparency and impose limitations on foreign third-party litigation funding within the United States federal court system. It amends chapter 111 of title 28, United States Code, to introduce new disclosure requirements and outright prohibitions on certain types of foreign funding. A key provision mandates that parties or their counsel in civil actions must disclose to the court, other parties, and the Attorney General any foreign person, foreign state, or sovereign wealth fund that has a contingent right to payment based on the litigation's outcome. This disclosure includes the funder's identity and the agreement details, along with a certification regarding the foreign source of funds. These disclosures must be made under penalty of perjury and are subject to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure sanctions for non-compliance. Crucially, the bill establishes a prohibition making it unlawful for any party or counsel to enter into third-party litigation funding agreements where the money is directly or indirectly sourced from a foreign state or a sovereign wealth fund . Any such agreement is deemed null and void. These measures apply to all civil actions pending or commenced on or after the bill's enactment date. Furthermore, the legislation requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to Congress detailing foreign third-party litigation funding activities in federal courts. These reports must include information such as the identities of funders, sources of money, judicial districts involved, estimated funding amounts, and the subject matters of the civil actions receiving such funding.