I guess the insatiable desire of the capital markets for a piece of everyone’s action (figuratively and, in this case, literally) is just going to make the small matter of the ethical conduct of a suit entirely dispensable. Plaintiffs and lawyers will gradually become forbidden to act other than in furtherance of their shareholders’ pecuniary interest, and the corporatization of justice will be complete.

In Ontario, at least, I would hope that the state of the law remains clear. Champerty is no longer a crime, but such agreements are void where there is an improper motive, and speculative investment is surely the very definition thereof. Hopefully there are still some teeth in the old girl yet.