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Judge Denies Burford-Backed Firms’ Bid to Exit Turkey Price-Fixing Settlement

By  |  July 8, 2025

Two affiliates of litigation financing firm Burford Capital Ltd. will remain part of a $32.5 million settlement resolving claims that agricultural giant Cargill Inc. conspired to inflate turkey prices, after a federal judge ruled their request to opt out came too late.

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    Carina Ventures LLC and Amory Investments LLC, both of which are acting as assignees for turkey purchasers, sought to withdraw from the settlement after the deadline had passed. However, Judge Sunil R. Harjani of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois rejected their bid, emphasizing that missed deadlines—regardless of how late—carry consequences. The settlement itself had received preliminary court approval in January, per Bloomberg.

    The two investment vehicles are part of a broader litigation effort backed by Burford Capital, a company known for funding commercial lawsuits in exchange for a share of the proceeds. Their attempt to opt out appears to be a strategic legal maneuver, but it failed to persuade the court to make an exception.

    Read more: Turkey’s Competition Regulator to Use AI to Combat Algorithmic Price Fixing

    According to Bloomberg, Judge Harjani stressed that timing is critical in class action proceedings, noting that allowing late opt-outs would disrupt the finality and fairness of settlements. The ruling effectively binds Carina and Amory to the terms of the multimillion-dollar agreement reached with Cargill.

    This case is part of a wider antitrust litigation involving several major meat producers accused of conspiring to drive up turkey prices—a claim that has led to a series of settlements and ongoing court battles.

    Source: Bloomberg