<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019e415a-4975-77a0-8ec3-4eb1bf725c18,g:c794ecc2-d85a-45bb-8d52-99c9c9e2e1fe-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONSUNAUDITED" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONSUNAUDITED"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONSUNAUDITED" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e415a-4c33-7b98-9f49-d0f0060f5fd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e415a-4c33-7b98-9f49-d0f0060f5fd1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4c33-7a74-af25-f84abf571f8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e415a-4c33-7b98-9f49-d0f0060f5fd1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4c33-7a74-af25-f84abf571f8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4c33-7a74-af25-f84abf571f8c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4c33-7a74-af25-f84abf571f8c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4c33-7a74-af25-f84abf571f8c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4c33-768b-a5a5-1f576dab96b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4c33-7a74-af25-f84abf571f8c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4c33-768b-a5a5-1f576dab96b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember_019e415a-4c33-7f72-bb5a-2478a92fb589" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4c33-768b-a5a5-1f576dab96b3" xlink:to="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember_019e415a-4c33-7f72-bb5a-2478a92fb589" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ThirdPartyInterestsInCapitalProvisionAssetsMember_019e415a-4c33-7b16-a064-cddc4827bb16" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ThirdPartyInterestsInCapitalProvisionAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4c33-768b-a5a5-1f576dab96b3" xlink:to="loc_bur_ThirdPartyInterestsInCapitalProvisionAssetsMember_019e415a-4c33-7b16-a064-cddc4827bb16" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e415a-4c33-7936-854b-f5120dbabe57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4c33-768b-a5a5-1f576dab96b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e415a-4c33-7936-854b-f5120dbabe57" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e415a-4c33-78ba-85c4-d24bc37fa13f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e415a-4c33-78ba-85c4-d24bc37fa13f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e415a-4c33-738a-8fd2-debf14a60970" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e415a-4c33-78ba-85c4-d24bc37fa13f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e415a-4c33-738a-8fd2-debf14a60970" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e415a-4c33-717b-b0e2-56cf0b251760" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e415a-4c33-78ba-85c4-d24bc37fa13f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e415a-4c33-717b-b0e2-56cf0b251760" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MarketableSecurityGainLossAndInterestIncome_019e415a-4c33-728d-b7c8-49410620aed0" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MarketableSecurityGainLossAndInterestIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e415a-4c33-78ba-85c4-d24bc37fa13f" xlink:to="loc_bur_MarketableSecurityGainLossAndInterestIncome_019e415a-4c33-728d-b7c8-49410620aed0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_019e415a-4c33-7204-b7ee-dccc8a39c96b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e415a-4c33-78ba-85c4-d24bc37fa13f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_019e415a-4c33-7204-b7ee-dccc8a39c96b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e415a-4c34-75a3-a0a9-8085897c2d84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e415a-4c33-78ba-85c4-d24bc37fa13f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e415a-4c34-75a3-a0a9-8085897c2d84" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e415a-4c34-79da-9fce-c3a4e6e3f6bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e415a-4c34-79da-9fce-c3a4e6e3f6bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementCompensationItemsAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7c95-b776-e37b2ec28ecb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementCompensationItemsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e415a-4c34-79da-9fce-c3a4e6e3f6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementCompensationItemsAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7c95-b776-e37b2ec28ecb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalariesWagesAndOfficersCompensation_019e415a-4c34-75bd-bde7-1fabca73849b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SalariesWagesAndOfficersCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementCompensationItemsAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7c95-b776-e37b2ec28ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalariesWagesAndOfficersCompensation_019e415a-4c34-75bd-bde7-1fabca73849b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CompensationExpenseExcludingCostOfGoodAndServiceSold_019e415a-4c34-789f-863c-944c7de9cd38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CompensationExpenseExcludingCostOfGoodAndServiceSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementCompensationItemsAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7c95-b776-e37b2ec28ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CompensationExpenseExcludingCostOfGoodAndServiceSold_019e415a-4c34-789f-863c-944c7de9cd38" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e415a-4c34-7891-9dae-89416b4b7ea5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementCompensationItemsAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7c95-b776-e37b2ec28ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e415a-4c34-7891-9dae-89416b4b7ea5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_019e415a-4c34-758c-adc5-577127358a46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementCompensationItemsAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7c95-b776-e37b2ec28ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_019e415a-4c34-758c-adc5-577127358a46" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e415a-4c34-7043-b44d-6c87aa0e4481" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e415a-4c34-79da-9fce-c3a4e6e3f6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e415a-4c34-7043-b44d-6c87aa0e4481" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ExpenditureIneligibleForInclusionInAssetCost_019e415a-4c34-79df-8986-b85650a9fe51" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ExpenditureIneligibleForInclusionInAssetCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e415a-4c34-79da-9fce-c3a4e6e3f6bd" xlink:to="loc_bur_ExpenditureIneligibleForInclusionInAssetCost_019e415a-4c34-79df-8986-b85650a9fe51" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019e415a-4c34-7515-8153-0e657f1e927a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e415a-4c34-79da-9fce-c3a4e6e3f6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019e415a-4c34-7515-8153-0e657f1e927a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e415a-4c34-7c8b-aec9-f7861bf214cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e415a-4c34-7c8b-aec9-f7861bf214cf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4c34-797d-b149-1221f53ba68e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4c34-797d-b149-1221f53ba68e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e415a-4c34-75a2-887d-a066996e39a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4c34-797d-b149-1221f53ba68e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e415a-4c34-75a2-887d-a066996e39a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_019e415a-4c34-78b1-9b1f-a827792c5117" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4c34-797d-b149-1221f53ba68e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_019e415a-4c34-78b1-9b1f-a827792c5117" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e415a-4c34-741d-bd43-d5b80813c9aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4c34-797d-b149-1221f53ba68e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e415a-4c34-741d-bd43-d5b80813c9aa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e415a-4c34-7095-98bb-bff82eb3bb47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e415a-4c34-7095-98bb-bff82eb3bb47" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e415a-4c34-7da8-8a2b-cdfdf7d01829" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e415a-4c34-7da8-8a2b-cdfdf7d01829" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e415a-4c34-7b7f-8009-32ecfae9ac75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e415a-4c34-7b7f-8009-32ecfae9ac75" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e415a-4c34-7e79-a741-1bb7d632caab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e415a-4c34-7e79-a741-1bb7d632caab" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e415a-4c34-701c-ba07-1a642b0f288e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e415a-4c34-701c-ba07-1a642b0f288e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7bc7-a147-6826996a0f77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7bc7-a147-6826996a0f77" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e415a-4c34-709a-88bb-709d4f0ce969" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7bc7-a147-6826996a0f77" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e415a-4c34-709a-88bb-709d4f0ce969" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e415a-4c34-7b82-916d-892da5486f0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e415a-4c34-7bc7-a147-6826996a0f77" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e415a-4c34-7b82-916d-892da5486f0c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_WeightedAverageSharesOutstandingAbstract_019e415a-4c34-72f2-b221-775c7cbf1dca" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_WeightedAverageSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4c33-7db5-b4df-c0e9f7c35eac" xlink:to="loc_bur_WeightedAverageSharesOutstandingAbstract_019e415a-4c34-72f2-b221-775c7cbf1dca" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e415a-4c34-738a-9125-92f4119ecfde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_WeightedAverageSharesOutstandingAbstract_019e415a-4c34-72f2-b221-775c7cbf1dca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e415a-4c34-738a-9125-92f4119ecfde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e415a-4c34-7682-88f4-08ac56b3491d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_WeightedAverageSharesOutstandingAbstract_019e415a-4c34-72f2-b221-775c7cbf1dca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e415a-4c34-7682-88f4-08ac56b3491d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSUNAUDITED" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSUNAUDITED"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSUNAUDITED" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7833-9fae-420805f17d62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e415a-4ceb-7990-8186-798ff83a4978" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7833-9fae-420805f17d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e415a-4ceb-7990-8186-798ff83a4978" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-73fe-8e5a-f416565ba7c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e415a-4ceb-7990-8186-798ff83a4978" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-73fe-8e5a-f416565ba7c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-73fe-8e5a-f416565ba7c9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-73fe-8e5a-f416565ba7c9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-73fe-8e5a-f416565ba7c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7e15-b2c7-2cc33f24f8b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-73fe-8e5a-f416565ba7c9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7e15-b2c7-2cc33f24f8b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember_019e415a-4ceb-7f70-953c-c7304b37cd3b" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7e15-b2c7-2cc33f24f8b8" xlink:to="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember_019e415a-4ceb-7f70-953c-c7304b37cd3b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7931-b302-1476c03b5ae2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7833-9fae-420805f17d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7931-b302-1476c03b5ae2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e415a-4ceb-7737-8b14-ad62b5422369" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7931-b302-1476c03b5ae2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e415a-4ceb-7737-8b14-ad62b5422369" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-75c3-abf9-aebb43df4f47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7931-b302-1476c03b5ae2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-75c3-abf9-aebb43df4f47" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e415a-4ceb-7ff5-960c-592f3a7581b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-75c3-abf9-aebb43df4f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e415a-4ceb-7ff5-960c-592f3a7581b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_019e415a-4ceb-7606-90c7-1e0fd52780b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-75c3-abf9-aebb43df4f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_019e415a-4ceb-7606-90c7-1e0fd52780b5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_019e415a-4ceb-7d7a-8f1b-b7017ed38f86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-75c3-abf9-aebb43df4f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_019e415a-4ceb-7d7a-8f1b-b7017ed38f86" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_019e415a-4ceb-7ec7-b938-49d366ccdfd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-75c3-abf9-aebb43df4f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_019e415a-4ceb-7ec7-b938-49d366ccdfd0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e415a-4ceb-7c9b-864e-bf64bf3fec55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-75c3-abf9-aebb43df4f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e415a-4ceb-7c9b-864e-bf64bf3fec55" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense_019e415a-4ceb-739e-b162-7d76fc6f283b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-75c3-abf9-aebb43df4f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense_019e415a-4ceb-739e-b162-7d76fc6f283b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-779d-964c-ad92cb97976c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-75c3-abf9-aebb43df4f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-779d-964c-ad92cb97976c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ProceedsFromDerivativeAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7490-9596-728258cc433d" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ProceedsFromDerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-779d-964c-ad92cb97976c" xlink:to="loc_bur_ProceedsFromDerivativeAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7490-9596-728258cc433d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_PaymentsForFundingOfDerivativeAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7989-a0b9-f5f304fa737e" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_PaymentsForFundingOfDerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-779d-964c-ad92cb97976c" xlink:to="loc_bur_PaymentsForFundingOfDerivativeAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7989-a0b9-f5f304fa737e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_PaymentsForProceedsFromMarketableSecurities_019e415a-4ceb-7bce-9df8-b1812c0646f1" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_PaymentsForProceedsFromMarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-779d-964c-ad92cb97976c" xlink:to="loc_bur_PaymentsForProceedsFromMarketableSecurities_019e415a-4ceb-7bce-9df8-b1812c0646f1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromOtherOperatingActivities_019e415a-4ceb-731a-afc4-f90dedbc5c17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromOtherOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-779d-964c-ad92cb97976c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromOtherOperatingActivities_019e415a-4ceb-731a-afc4-f90dedbc5c17" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7740-b7c6-042f15b4e279" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-779d-964c-ad92cb97976c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7740-b7c6-042f15b4e279" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_019e415a-4ceb-7567-95ea-ab8b1c85d137" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-779d-964c-ad92cb97976c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_019e415a-4ceb-7567-95ea-ab8b1c85d137" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDerivativeLiabilities_019e415a-4ceb-7234-875b-eeb86e667789" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-779d-964c-ad92cb97976c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDerivativeLiabilities_019e415a-4ceb-7234-875b-eeb86e667789" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_019e415a-4ceb-7222-a3ff-a827291af450" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7931-b302-1476c03b5ae2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_019e415a-4ceb-7222-a3ff-a827291af450" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7f4a-90a3-922302bda069" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7833-9fae-420805f17d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7f4a-90a3-922302bda069" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_019e415a-4ceb-715f-9888-1cac82631768" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7f4a-90a3-922302bda069" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_019e415a-4ceb-715f-9888-1cac82631768" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_019e415a-4ceb-76e9-817d-9abde3b75b0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7f4a-90a3-922302bda069" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_019e415a-4ceb-76e9-817d-9abde3b75b0b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_019e415a-4ceb-7958-b320-9851f65906a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7f4a-90a3-922302bda069" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_019e415a-4ceb-7958-b320-9851f65906a9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-70b9-bce4-eba316bd2555" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7833-9fae-420805f17d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-70b9-bce4-eba316bd2555" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_019e415a-4ceb-74e3-88a0-3c0135f6fc3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-70b9-bce4-eba316bd2555" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_019e415a-4ceb-74e3-88a0-3c0135f6fc3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts_019e415a-4ceb-7708-9fa8-97312b03a874" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-70b9-bce4-eba316bd2555" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts_019e415a-4ceb-7708-9fa8-97312b03a874" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_019e415a-4ceb-7445-ad54-74a6a526150b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-70b9-bce4-eba316bd2555" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_019e415a-4ceb-7445-ad54-74a6a526150b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfOrdinaryDividends_019ef0ef-64dc-7f0f-8480-b9ceded3d336" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfOrdinaryDividends"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-70b9-bce4-eba316bd2555" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfOrdinaryDividends_019ef0ef-64dc-7f0f-8480-b9ceded3d336" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_019e415a-4ceb-73f0-8b30-d9bb5939eef0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-70b9-bce4-eba316bd2555" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_019e415a-4ceb-73f0-8b30-d9bb5939eef0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfCapitalDistribution_019e415a-4ceb-7b0a-aec3-c559a08c90a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfCapitalDistribution"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-70b9-bce4-eba316bd2555" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfCapitalDistribution_019e415a-4ceb-7b0a-aec3-c559a08c90a8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_019e415a-4ceb-7f2a-8566-b24d0bf5aaa0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-70b9-bce4-eba316bd2555" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_019e415a-4ceb-7f2a-8566-b24d0bf5aaa0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect_019e415a-4ceb-7c27-b40a-e7ce6ed95bcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7833-9fae-420805f17d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect_019e415a-4ceb-7c27-b40a-e7ce6ed95bcf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e415a-4ceb-7fe4-af16-9ace52eaed6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7833-9fae-420805f17d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e415a-4ceb-7fe4-af16-9ace52eaed6a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e415a-4ceb-74ac-b8bb-9e049da0917e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7833-9fae-420805f17d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e415a-4ceb-74ac-b8bb-9e049da0917e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e415a-4ceb-768a-bb10-aeb3a847f1c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7d40-908d-ec58c0d5d024" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7833-9fae-420805f17d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7d40-908d-ec58c0d5d024" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestAndDividendsReceived_019e415a-4ceb-7211-bd64-842e3754077c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestAndDividendsReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7d40-908d-ec58c0d5d024" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestAndDividendsReceived_019e415a-4ceb-7211-bd64-842e3754077c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_019e415a-4ceb-717d-a0fa-a26dd2031f0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7d40-908d-ec58c0d5d024" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_019e415a-4ceb-717d-a0fa-a26dd2031f0f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds_019e415a-4ceb-7dba-a51b-be3d2bafa98d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7d40-908d-ec58c0d5d024" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds_019e415a-4ceb-7dba-a51b-be3d2bafa98d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid_019e415a-4ceb-7cf5-8cc5-d1cec123372b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7d40-908d-ec58c0d5d024" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid_019e415a-4ceb-7cf5-8cc5-d1cec123372b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINEQUITYUNAUDITED" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINEQUITYUNAUDITED"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINEQUITYUNAUDITED" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7eca-91dd-feb960fc549b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e415a-4ceb-72c1-9df3-4cebbd20c1f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7eca-91dd-feb960fc549b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e415a-4ceb-72c1-9df3-4cebbd20c1f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-71e4-b9b4-5aa5af1b055f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e415a-4ceb-72c1-9df3-4cebbd20c1f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-71e4-b9b4-5aa5af1b055f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-71e4-b9b4-5aa5af1b055f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-71e4-b9b4-5aa5af1b055f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-71e4-b9b4-5aa5af1b055f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-73e3-9865-88d1a580dd8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-71e4-b9b4-5aa5af1b055f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-73e3-9865-88d1a580dd8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7894-8a64-90ea7cf1f695" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-73e3-9865-88d1a580dd8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7894-8a64-90ea7cf1f695" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e415a-4ceb-7c93-8300-aa4a99b29eb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7894-8a64-90ea7cf1f695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e415a-4ceb-7c93-8300-aa4a99b29eb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019e415a-4ceb-7a1e-a1a7-bd1a4c8b16b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7894-8a64-90ea7cf1f695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019e415a-4ceb-7a1e-a1a7-bd1a4c8b16b5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e415a-4ceb-793e-9af5-28ebd71ca1f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7894-8a64-90ea7cf1f695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e415a-4ceb-793e-9af5-28ebd71ca1f5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e415a-4ceb-7b50-8b97-ad91f3f0eb4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7894-8a64-90ea7cf1f695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e415a-4ceb-7b50-8b97-ad91f3f0eb4d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e415a-4ceb-7995-93ea-957cc1298c8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7894-8a64-90ea7cf1f695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e415a-4ceb-7995-93ea-957cc1298c8c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019e415a-4ceb-79e1-8d61-70a6dc9a9312" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-73e3-9865-88d1a580dd8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019e415a-4ceb-79e1-8d61-70a6dc9a9312" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7eca-91dd-feb960fc549b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e415a-4ceb-761b-aa37-792cf306871d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e415a-4ceb-761b-aa37-792cf306871d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019e415a-4ceb-716d-9500-866c530f5595" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019e415a-4ceb-716d-9500-866c530f5595" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e415a-4ceb-702d-a1fa-bc77551b72f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e415a-4ceb-702d-a1fa-bc77551b72f4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e415a-4ceb-7371-9c40-709076f3f716" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e415a-4ceb-7371-9c40-709076f3f716" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_019e415a-4ceb-7bba-b1b5-914027784a57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_019e415a-4ceb-7bba-b1b5-914027784a57" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_019e415a-4ceb-79dc-83bd-0c77535c89f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_019e415a-4ceb-79dc-83bd-0c77535c89f5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross_019e415a-4ceb-7af2-9c45-141009bc0374" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross_019e415a-4ceb-7af2-9c45-141009bc0374" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_019ef62c-9aaf-7995-8cd6-926c63ec54ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_019ef62c-9aaf-7995-8cd6-926c63ec54ec" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019ef0f0-d62f-7289-8259-88e217af2133" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019ef0f0-d62f-7289-8259-88e217af2133" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesIssuedForServices_019fa9f6-af5a-78d4-8a3f-a8b021f0f43b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesIssuedForServices"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesIssuedForServices_019fa9f6-af5a-78d4-8a3f-a8b021f0f43b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIssuedForServices_019fa9f6-e704-7789-b9d7-d0cfc849cb9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIssuedForServices"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIssuedForServices_019fa9f6-e704-7789-b9d7-d0cfc849cb9c" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e415a-4ceb-7fd2-b18f-2c410ab43de1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e415a-4ceb-7fd2-b18f-2c410ab43de1" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_019e415a-4ceb-7532-a61e-ee968997ea15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_019e415a-4ceb-7532-a61e-ee968997ea15" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalRetainedEarningsShareBasedPaymentArrangement_019e415a-4ceb-7eb1-81c1-207c66872850" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalRetainedEarningsShareBasedPaymentArrangement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_bur_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalRetainedEarningsShareBasedPaymentArrangement_019e415a-4ceb-7eb1-81c1-207c66872850" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e415a-4ceb-7fb3-bf07-44c90eda8aa8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e415a-4ceb-7fb3-bf07-44c90eda8aa8" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019ef63c-b80e-7b0b-8490-6a3412f9a4a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019ef63c-b80e-7b0b-8490-6a3412f9a4a2" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHoldersNetOfContributions_019faaa7-a3fe-7169-8a0b-967d875fa108" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHoldersNetOfContributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e415a-4ceb-7d1f-b1e8-ba0d2dfc2834" xlink:to="loc_bur_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHoldersNetOfContributions_019faaa7-a3fe-7169-8a0b-967d875fa108" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e415a-4ceb-770a-81c3-6301dedb733d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019e415a-4ceb-78a4-962f-df907032166c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e415a-4ceb-741a-9f81-7f2c277593ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/SegmentreportingRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#SegmentreportingRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/SegmentreportingRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e415a-4ceb-776a-b860-6291b0c21a82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e415a-4ceb-776a-b860-6291b0c21a82" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7da2-b711-cd7fe0da32c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e415a-4ceb-776a-b860-6291b0c21a82" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7da2-b711-cd7fe0da32c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7da2-b711-cd7fe0da32c9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7da2-b711-cd7fe0da32c9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7da2-b711-cd7fe0da32c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7afa-841a-f2d81b66b8da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7da2-b711-cd7fe0da32c9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7afa-841a-f2d81b66b8da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e415a-4ceb-7e79-bd1e-e82e6f2ea70e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7afa-841a-f2d81b66b8da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e415a-4ceb-7e79-bd1e-e82e6f2ea70e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_019e415a-4ceb-78a4-a8f1-bec50c3355e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7afa-841a-f2d81b66b8da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_019e415a-4ceb-78a4-a8f1-bec50c3355e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-782c-a8bc-84af3534cefd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e415a-4ceb-776a-b860-6291b0c21a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-782c-a8bc-84af3534cefd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-782c-a8bc-84af3534cefd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-782c-a8bc-84af3534cefd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-782c-a8bc-84af3534cefd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-74a4-a956-856f2a5e6565" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-782c-a8bc-84af3534cefd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-74a4-a956-856f2a5e6565" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_PrincipalFinanceSegmentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7ac1-a7a4-b471494af869" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_PrincipalFinanceSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-74a4-a956-856f2a5e6565" xlink:to="loc_bur_PrincipalFinanceSegmentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7ac1-a7a4-b471494af869" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetManagementAndOtherServicesMember_019e415a-4ceb-7d73-8279-a54a42115061" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetManagementAndOtherServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-74a4-a956-856f2a5e6565" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetManagementAndOtherServicesMember_019e415a-4ceb-7d73-8279-a54a42115061" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7cdf-baa1-c155ae921af7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e415a-4ceb-776a-b860-6291b0c21a82" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7cdf-baa1-c155ae921af7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7cdf-baa1-c155ae921af7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7cdf-baa1-c155ae921af7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7cdf-baa1-c155ae921af7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-75f9-910f-63b5502e443f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7cdf-baa1-c155ae921af7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-75f9-910f-63b5502e443f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember_019e415a-4ceb-7113-9563-6998024a5897" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-75f9-910f-63b5502e443f" xlink:to="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember_019e415a-4ceb-7113-9563-6998024a5897" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ThirdPartyInterestsInCapitalProvisionAssetsMember_019e415a-4ceb-75d6-a557-4146cd5aa56f" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ThirdPartyInterestsInCapitalProvisionAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-75f9-910f-63b5502e443f" xlink:to="loc_bur_ThirdPartyInterestsInCapitalProvisionAssetsMember_019e415a-4ceb-75d6-a557-4146cd5aa56f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e415a-4ceb-7e84-9f64-37782002f752" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-75f9-910f-63b5502e443f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e415a-4ceb-7e84-9f64-37782002f752" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e415a-4ceb-7dcd-a080-89ed36d14141" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e415a-4ceb-7dcd-a080-89ed36d14141" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e415a-4ceb-7257-afa4-54798eb756fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e415a-4ceb-7257-afa4-54798eb756fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MarketableSecurityGainLossAndInterestIncome_019e415a-4ceb-760e-abd8-4451a83debee" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MarketableSecurityGainLossAndInterestIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_bur_MarketableSecurityGainLossAndInterestIncome_019e415a-4ceb-760e-abd8-4451a83debee" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_019e415a-4ceb-7b56-9ffa-a19d48c3344b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_019e415a-4ceb-7b56-9ffa-a19d48c3344b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e415a-4ceb-71ce-bb90-1303287ad852" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e415a-4ceb-71ce-bb90-1303287ad852" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CompensationAndBenefits_019e415a-4ceb-73ed-9699-1e7239fcfc20" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CompensationAndBenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_bur_CompensationAndBenefits_019e415a-4ceb-73ed-9699-1e7239fcfc20" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e415a-4ceb-7ac9-893e-d1d417c84376" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e415a-4ceb-7ac9-893e-d1d417c84376" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ExpenditureIneligibleForInclusionInAssetCost_019e415a-4ceb-7a49-9a0e-79301f7065cc" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ExpenditureIneligibleForInclusionInAssetCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_bur_ExpenditureIneligibleForInclusionInAssetCost_019e415a-4ceb-7a49-9a0e-79301f7065cc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019e415a-4ceb-79e8-8d04-4a26661b4632" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019e415a-4ceb-79e8-8d04-4a26661b4632" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7c30-99e9-e308c58b018d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7c30-99e9-e308c58b018d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e415a-4ceb-763f-a0bd-4dacada4b200" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7c30-99e9-e308c58b018d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e415a-4ceb-763f-a0bd-4dacada4b200" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_019e415a-4ceb-7aa4-9e11-6a44080b75e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7c30-99e9-e308c58b018d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_019e415a-4ceb-7aa4-9e11-6a44080b75e5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e415a-4ceb-75e1-b88b-f81f65ab85ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019e415a-4ceb-7c30-99e9-e308c58b018d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e415a-4ceb-75e1-b88b-f81f65ab85ac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e415a-4ceb-785c-9ac6-e93a7bef59a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-71fb-9d31-212c655aa6bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e415a-4ceb-785c-9ac6-e93a7bef59a8" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/SegmentreportingGroupsTotalAssetsbyReportingSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#SegmentreportingGroupsTotalAssetsbyReportingSegmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/SegmentreportingGroupsTotalAssetsbyReportingSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7561-a117-c843e990b704" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7a65-be20-875c00a72293" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7561-a117-c843e990b704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7a65-be20-875c00a72293" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7f7f-b12e-734c1b137a0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7a65-be20-875c00a72293" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7f7f-b12e-734c1b137a0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7f7f-b12e-734c1b137a0c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7f7f-b12e-734c1b137a0c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7f7f-b12e-734c1b137a0c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-70bb-94d2-ff33975ee96f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7f7f-b12e-734c1b137a0c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-70bb-94d2-ff33975ee96f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e415a-4ceb-706d-9d66-bf281411e56c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-70bb-94d2-ff33975ee96f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e415a-4ceb-706d-9d66-bf281411e56c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_019e415a-4ceb-79c4-8e82-3500588a22ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e415a-4ceb-70bb-94d2-ff33975ee96f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_019e415a-4ceb-79c4-8e82-3500588a22ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7c44-8bf7-e9f1b2216dbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7a65-be20-875c00a72293" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7c44-8bf7-e9f1b2216dbf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7c44-8bf7-e9f1b2216dbf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7c44-8bf7-e9f1b2216dbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7c44-8bf7-e9f1b2216dbf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7d72-af94-84792289eea2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7c44-8bf7-e9f1b2216dbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7d72-af94-84792289eea2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_PrincipalFinanceSegmentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7300-8a67-d31d88457ae5" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_PrincipalFinanceSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7d72-af94-84792289eea2" xlink:to="loc_bur_PrincipalFinanceSegmentMember_019e415a-4ceb-7300-8a67-d31d88457ae5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetManagementAndOtherServicesMember_019e415a-4ceb-70e4-8328-bdac6044fb8e" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetManagementAndOtherServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7d72-af94-84792289eea2" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetManagementAndOtherServicesMember_019e415a-4ceb-70e4-8328-bdac6044fb8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CashAndCashEquivalentsAndMarketableSecurities_019e415a-4ceb-7d57-b73a-c3926af13157" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CashAndCashEquivalentsAndMarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7561-a117-c843e990b704" xlink:to="loc_bur_CashAndCashEquivalentsAndMarketableSecurities_019e415a-4ceb-7d57-b73a-c3926af13157" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7560-9c39-cd3017dd40fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7561-a117-c843e990b704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7560-9c39-cd3017dd40fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AccountsReceivableHeldAtFairValue_019e415a-4ceb-77fc-80fa-e7f9d86d3e41" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AccountsReceivableHeldAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7561-a117-c843e990b704" xlink:to="loc_bur_AccountsReceivableHeldAtFairValue_019e415a-4ceb-77fc-80fa-e7f9d86d3e41" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7165-b9ee-2604c1f29c87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7561-a117-c843e990b704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7165-b9ee-2604c1f29c87" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e415a-4ceb-7405-a8fc-8dc563a8c39c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7561-a117-c843e990b704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e415a-4ceb-7405-a8fc-8dc563a8c39c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CapitalprovisionassetsCapitalProvisionIncomeontheConsolidatedStatementofComprehensiveIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#CapitalprovisionassetsCapitalProvisionIncomeontheConsolidatedStatementofComprehensiveIncomeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CapitalprovisionassetsCapitalProvisionIncomeontheConsolidatedStatementofComprehensiveIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7ad5-a8f5-acfc336db656" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4ceb-7bec-9ea1-396de0b320c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7ad5-a8f5-acfc336db656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4ceb-7bec-9ea1-396de0b320c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-78f2-850f-0ce4b5016630" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4ceb-7bec-9ea1-396de0b320c4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-78f2-850f-0ce4b5016630" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-78f2-850f-0ce4b5016630_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-78f2-850f-0ce4b5016630" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-78f2-850f-0ce4b5016630_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-78e9-ab81-1e53b44baf6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-78f2-850f-0ce4b5016630" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-78e9-ab81-1e53b44baf6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember_019e415a-4ceb-75be-9e11-1b8fc71f62fa" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-78e9-ab81-1e53b44baf6d" xlink:to="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionIncomeLossMember_019e415a-4ceb-75be-9e11-1b8fc71f62fa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_019e415a-4ceb-7178-b216-e168f5e27bfc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7ad5-a8f5-acfc336db656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_019e415a-4ceb-7178-b216-e168f5e27bfc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments_019e415a-4ceb-7372-bb94-d7ac2d2fa154" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7ad5-a8f5-acfc336db656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments_019e415a-4ceb-7372-bb94-d7ac2d2fa154" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_IncomeLossOnDerivativeAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7083-a1ca-1743a73716e1" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_IncomeLossOnDerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7ad5-a8f5-acfc336db656" xlink:to="loc_bur_IncomeLossOnDerivativeAssets_019e415a-4ceb-7083-a1ca-1743a73716e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_019e415a-4ceb-70eb-9c49-bbd6e37dae50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7ad5-a8f5-acfc336db656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_019e415a-4ceb-70eb-9c49-bbd6e37dae50" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_NetRealizedAndUnrealizedGainLossOnAccountsReceivable_019e415a-4ceb-7c03-b24f-0658d90a6a41" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_NetRealizedAndUnrealizedGainLossOnAccountsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7ad5-a8f5-acfc336db656" xlink:to="loc_bur_NetRealizedAndUnrealizedGainLossOnAccountsReceivable_019e415a-4ceb-7c03-b24f-0658d90a6a41" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_OtherIncomeLoss_019e415a-4ceb-734a-a4be-128258d32634" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_OtherIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7ad5-a8f5-acfc336db656" xlink:to="loc_bur_OtherIncomeLoss_019e415a-4ceb-734a-a4be-128258d32634" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e415a-4ceb-779a-b528-c9dc2034b255" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7ad5-a8f5-acfc336db656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e415a-4ceb-779a-b528-c9dc2034b255" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/AssetmanagementincomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#AssetmanagementincomeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/AssetmanagementincomeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7919-979a-74b880520145" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e415a-4ceb-7add-85c7-33831ea919f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7919-979a-74b880520145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e415a-4ceb-7add-85c7-33831ea919f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7d6b-941c-7818a2441524" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e415a-4ceb-7add-85c7-33831ea919f0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7d6b-941c-7818a2441524" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7d6b-941c-7818a2441524_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7d6b-941c-7818a2441524" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7d6b-941c-7818a2441524_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-751e-81a2-96f986c293d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7d6b-941c-7818a2441524" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-751e-81a2-96f986c293d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e415a-4ceb-7d54-88f3-d7cd66d89f3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e415a-4ceb-751e-81a2-96f986c293d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e415a-4ceb-7d54-88f3-d7cd66d89f3e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ManagementFeeIncomeMember_019e415a-4ceb-7dd3-bdd9-df18ac6e9846" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ManagementFeeIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e415a-4ceb-7d54-88f3-d7cd66d89f3e" xlink:to="loc_bur_ManagementFeeIncomeMember_019e415a-4ceb-7dd3-bdd9-df18ac6e9846" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_PerformanceFeeIncomeMember_019e415a-4ceb-7d85-8647-9d9ddd81ac00" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_PerformanceFeeIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e415a-4ceb-7d54-88f3-d7cd66d89f3e" xlink:to="loc_bur_PerformanceFeeIncomeMember_019e415a-4ceb-7d85-8647-9d9ddd81ac00" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e415a-4ceb-79e2-999e-9125bc30af27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7919-979a-74b880520145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e415a-4ceb-79e2-999e-9125bc30af27" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/DebtScheduleofDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#DebtScheduleofDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/DebtScheduleofDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7667-b7de-1869c837aaf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7e4c-8940-295f25134a1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7667-b7de-1869c837aaf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7e4c-8940-295f25134a1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7634-ada8-b121f1d9b5ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7e4c-8940-295f25134a1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7634-ada8-b121f1d9b5ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7634-ada8-b121f1d9b5ef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7634-ada8-b121f1d9b5ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7634-ada8-b121f1d9b5ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7340-8785-dccf9356c2a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7634-ada8-b121f1d9b5ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7340-8785-dccf9356c2a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_A5.0DueDec2026Member_019e415a-4ceb-7a54-9367-e2aa8a208978" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_A5.0DueDec2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7340-8785-dccf9356c2a9" xlink:to="loc_bur_A5.0DueDec2026Member_019e415a-4ceb-7a54-9367-e2aa8a208978" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.250PercentDueApril2028Member_019e415a-4ceb-70a9-8aa7-10ce6b7df79f" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes6.250PercentDueApril2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7340-8785-dccf9356c2a9" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.250PercentDueApril2028Member_019e415a-4ceb-70a9-8aa7-10ce6b7df79f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.875PercentDueApril2030Member_019e415a-4ceb-7d90-bc2e-1c58302757be" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes6.875PercentDueApril2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7340-8785-dccf9356c2a9" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.875PercentDueApril2030Member_019e415a-4ceb-7d90-bc2e-1c58302757be" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes9.250PercentDueJuly2031Member_019e415a-4ceb-76f0-aeb0-f301a4e1f0f9" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes9.250PercentDueJuly2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7340-8785-dccf9356c2a9" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes9.250PercentDueJuly2031Member_019e415a-4ceb-76f0-aeb0-f301a4e1f0f9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes7.500PercentDueJuly2033Member_019e415a-4ceb-7f3e-ac61-dbad38331331" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes7.500PercentDueJuly2033Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7340-8785-dccf9356c2a9" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes7.500PercentDueJuly2033Member_019e415a-4ceb-7f3e-ac61-dbad38331331" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes8.50PercentDueJanuary2034Member_019e415a-4ceb-7017-848c-70ea27b1890a" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes8.50PercentDueJanuary2034Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7340-8785-dccf9356c2a9" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes8.50PercentDueJanuary2034Member_019e415a-4ceb-7017-848c-70ea27b1890a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4ceb-76ab-ae0b-c39c37687a61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7e4c-8940-295f25134a1e" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4ceb-76ab-ae0b-c39c37687a61" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4ceb-76ab-ae0b-c39c37687a61_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4ceb-76ab-ae0b-c39c37687a61" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4ceb-76ab-ae0b-c39c37687a61_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7632-85ed-e57faacb0ad1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4ceb-76ab-ae0b-c39c37687a61" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7632-85ed-e57faacb0ad1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalPlcMember_019e415a-4ceb-7f90-a15e-04ea91e36489" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_BurfordCapitalPlcMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7632-85ed-e57faacb0ad1" xlink:to="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalPlcMember_019e415a-4ceb-7f90-a15e-04ea91e36489" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalGlobalFinanceLLCMember_019e415a-4ceb-7fa1-be50-38e00479f561" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_BurfordCapitalGlobalFinanceLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7632-85ed-e57faacb0ad1" xlink:to="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalGlobalFinanceLLCMember_019e415a-4ceb-7fa1-be50-38e00479f561" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7450-9b00-1923d7608848" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7e4c-8940-295f25134a1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7450-9b00-1923d7608848" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7450-9b00-1923d7608848_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7450-9b00-1923d7608848" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7450-9b00-1923d7608848_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7a8b-9280-894e88d094f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4ceb-7450-9b00-1923d7608848" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7a8b-9280-894e88d094f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BondsMember_019e415a-4ceb-7b5e-8c07-9e228efc01d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7a8b-9280-894e88d094f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BondsMember_019e415a-4ceb-7b5e-8c07-9e228efc01d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e415a-4ceb-770c-b199-9e03a2f696b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4ceb-7a8b-9280-894e88d094f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e415a-4ceb-770c-b199-9e03a2f696b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_019e415a-4ceb-7bf2-bc36-c39ca3d277cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7667-b7de-1869c837aaf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_019e415a-4ceb-7bf2-bc36-c39ca3d277cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e415a-4ceb-7faf-931f-c849349f0f72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7667-b7de-1869c837aaf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e415a-4ceb-7faf-931f-c849349f0f72" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e415a-4ceb-7708-9827-340d4d7c9984" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7667-b7de-1869c837aaf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e415a-4ceb-7708-9827-340d4d7c9984" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e415a-4ceb-7d15-bef6-2f5e32fa2485" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7667-b7de-1869c837aaf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e415a-4ceb-7d15-bef6-2f5e32fa2485" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019e415a-4ceb-7798-80a9-f77a63d648ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7667-b7de-1869c837aaf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019e415a-4ceb-7798-80a9-f77a63d648ac" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e415a-4ceb-77b7-b3bc-a641ae02fac1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7667-b7de-1869c837aaf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e415a-4ceb-77b7-b3bc-a641ae02fac1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e415a-4ceb-7c8f-9d17-3c9c9ee2aa80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4ceb-7667-b7de-1869c837aaf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e415a-4ceb-7c8f-9d17-3c9c9ee2aa80" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/DebtSummaryofUnamortizedIssuanceCostsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#DebtSummaryofUnamortizedIssuanceCostsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/DebtSummaryofUnamortizedIssuanceCostsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-787b-951d-853d6c7f662c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7d6f-8bb7-5b5361c9fd17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-787b-951d-853d6c7f662c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7d6f-8bb7-5b5361c9fd17" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4ceb-71a3-823b-c44a6c40d3cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7d6f-8bb7-5b5361c9fd17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4ceb-71a3-823b-c44a6c40d3cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-71a3-823b-c44a6c40d3cf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4ceb-71a3-823b-c44a6c40d3cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-71a3-823b-c44a6c40d3cf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-77fd-819c-1d2332e4f5fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4ceb-71a3-823b-c44a6c40d3cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-77fd-819c-1d2332e4f5fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_A5.0DueDec2026Member_019e415a-4ceb-7ece-9c66-dc1fddfd4290" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_A5.0DueDec2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-77fd-819c-1d2332e4f5fa" xlink:to="loc_bur_A5.0DueDec2026Member_019e415a-4ceb-7ece-9c66-dc1fddfd4290" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.250PercentDueApril2028Member_019e415a-4cec-7a7e-95f7-c50342744dde" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes6.250PercentDueApril2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-77fd-819c-1d2332e4f5fa" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.250PercentDueApril2028Member_019e415a-4cec-7a7e-95f7-c50342744dde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.875PercentDueApril2030Member_019e415a-4cec-72c8-b78d-8ec26e4f29a5" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes6.875PercentDueApril2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-77fd-819c-1d2332e4f5fa" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.875PercentDueApril2030Member_019e415a-4cec-72c8-b78d-8ec26e4f29a5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes9.250PercentDueJuly2031Member_019e415a-4cec-75e0-8b21-786c497a1977" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes9.250PercentDueJuly2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-77fd-819c-1d2332e4f5fa" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes9.250PercentDueJuly2031Member_019e415a-4cec-75e0-8b21-786c497a1977" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes7.500PercentDueJuly2033Member_019e415a-4cec-788e-934e-660fdd1f1a01" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes7.500PercentDueJuly2033Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-77fd-819c-1d2332e4f5fa" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes7.500PercentDueJuly2033Member_019e415a-4cec-788e-934e-660fdd1f1a01" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes8.50PercentDueJanuary2034Member_019e415a-4cec-7af4-b3bc-b988a22a8ced" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes8.50PercentDueJanuary2034Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4ceb-77fd-819c-1d2332e4f5fa" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes8.50PercentDueJanuary2034Member_019e415a-4cec-7af4-b3bc-b988a22a8ced" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-701c-bf5a-c1a02d700fe2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7d6f-8bb7-5b5361c9fd17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-701c-bf5a-c1a02d700fe2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-701c-bf5a-c1a02d700fe2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-701c-bf5a-c1a02d700fe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-701c-bf5a-c1a02d700fe2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c80-91ec-c6cd1d99f66d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-701c-bf5a-c1a02d700fe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c80-91ec-c6cd1d99f66d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BondsMember_019e415a-4cec-7e73-bc9c-9885dae1683f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c80-91ec-c6cd1d99f66d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BondsMember_019e415a-4cec-7e73-bc9c-9885dae1683f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e415a-4cec-707b-8b0b-fe23a37da2e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c80-91ec-c6cd1d99f66d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e415a-4cec-707b-8b0b-fe23a37da2e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4cec-7c5e-a5cd-6c781b18776d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4ceb-7d6f-8bb7-5b5361c9fd17" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4cec-7c5e-a5cd-6c781b18776d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c5e-a5cd-6c781b18776d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4cec-7c5e-a5cd-6c781b18776d" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c5e-a5cd-6c781b18776d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-7035-9bf8-0f7945b2e572" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4cec-7c5e-a5cd-6c781b18776d" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-7035-9bf8-0f7945b2e572" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalPlcMember_019e415a-4cec-7a20-a795-2f7ba0a20922" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_BurfordCapitalPlcMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-7035-9bf8-0f7945b2e572" xlink:to="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalPlcMember_019e415a-4cec-7a20-a795-2f7ba0a20922" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalGlobalFinanceLLCMember_019e415a-4cec-7caf-b09b-505972cef5b4" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_BurfordCapitalGlobalFinanceLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-7035-9bf8-0f7945b2e572" xlink:to="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalGlobalFinanceLLCMember_019e415a-4cec-7caf-b09b-505972cef5b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e415a-4cec-7c5b-a55c-3e12ecf47ded" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-787b-951d-853d6c7f662c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e415a-4cec-7c5b-a55c-3e12ecf47ded" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e415a-4cec-744a-97e7-ccf8d25ac191" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-787b-951d-853d6c7f662c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e415a-4cec-744a-97e7-ccf8d25ac191" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#DebtNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-76b5-aa0e-b13176b338c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-76b5-aa0e-b13176b338c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7201-ad9e-fd5b095abbb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-76b5-aa0e-b13176b338c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7201-ad9e-fd5b095abbb9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7201-ad9e-fd5b095abbb9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7201-ad9e-fd5b095abbb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7201-ad9e-fd5b095abbb9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-798e-8b06-d26fda99b6fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7201-ad9e-fd5b095abbb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-798e-8b06-d26fda99b6fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e415a-4cec-7bf4-bd97-8fdda0ec8770" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-798e-8b06-d26fda99b6fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e415a-4cec-7bf4-bd97-8fdda0ec8770" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7783-8664-022a8c7cc4b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-76b5-aa0e-b13176b338c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7783-8664-022a8c7cc4b3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7783-8664-022a8c7cc4b3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7783-8664-022a8c7cc4b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7783-8664-022a8c7cc4b3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ef0-8d16-5cd7a1687409" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7783-8664-022a8c7cc4b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ef0-8d16-5cd7a1687409" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.250PercentDueApril2028Member_019e415a-4cec-721b-bd6f-37de3b81fae0" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes6.250PercentDueApril2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ef0-8d16-5cd7a1687409" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.250PercentDueApril2028Member_019e415a-4cec-721b-bd6f-37de3b81fae0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.875PercentDueApril2030Member_019e415a-4cec-70ee-bacb-67d8b1ddca1b" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes6.875PercentDueApril2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ef0-8d16-5cd7a1687409" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes6.875PercentDueApril2030Member_019e415a-4cec-70ee-bacb-67d8b1ddca1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes9.250PercentDueJuly2031Member_019e415a-4cec-74f8-a354-8d946136dd70" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes9.250PercentDueJuly2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ef0-8d16-5cd7a1687409" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes9.250PercentDueJuly2031Member_019e415a-4cec-74f8-a354-8d946136dd70" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes7.500PercentDueJuly2033Member_019e415a-4cec-794c-bb8e-b5dc0bf7eaac" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes7.500PercentDueJuly2033Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ef0-8d16-5cd7a1687409" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes7.500PercentDueJuly2033Member_019e415a-4cec-794c-bb8e-b5dc0bf7eaac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes8.50PercentDueJanuary2034Member_019e415a-4cec-771f-8a05-5159e0459686" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnsecuredNotes8.50PercentDueJanuary2034Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ef0-8d16-5cd7a1687409" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnsecuredNotes8.50PercentDueJanuary2034Member_019e415a-4cec-771f-8a05-5159e0459686" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4cec-708d-9c73-64afc2dff908" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-76b5-aa0e-b13176b338c2" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4cec-708d-9c73-64afc2dff908" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-708d-9c73-64afc2dff908_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4cec-708d-9c73-64afc2dff908" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-708d-9c73-64afc2dff908_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-7f98-969a-b444445d1bfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e415a-4cec-708d-9c73-64afc2dff908" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-7f98-969a-b444445d1bfa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalGlobalFinanceLLCMember_019e415a-4cec-7af4-a63d-de255d8574e9" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_BurfordCapitalGlobalFinanceLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e415a-4cec-7f98-969a-b444445d1bfa" xlink:to="loc_bur_BurfordCapitalGlobalFinanceLLCMember_019e415a-4cec-7af4-a63d-de255d8574e9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e415a-4cec-79c1-90d1-cb0097b62025" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e415a-4cec-79c1-90d1-cb0097b62025" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e415a-4cec-75a2-a319-67f6cca73aeb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e415a-4cec-75a2-a319-67f6cca73aeb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumPrincipalAmountGuaranteedToBeRequiredToGuaranteeNotes_019e415a-4cec-7abf-ab78-ed766144198e" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumPrincipalAmountGuaranteedToBeRequiredToGuaranteeNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:to="loc_bur_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumPrincipalAmountGuaranteedToBeRequiredToGuaranteeNotes_019e415a-4cec-7abf-ab78-ed766144198e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_019e415a-4cec-7625-9a36-0654c8e02599" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_019e415a-4cec-7625-9a36-0654c8e02599" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed_019e415a-4cec-7034-b239-59d52c6eedf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed_019e415a-4cec-7034-b239-59d52c6eedf1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DebtInstrumentRedemptionMinimumPrincipalAmountOutstandingAsAPercentage_019e415a-4cec-70f7-b4c5-0286ba274402" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DebtInstrumentRedemptionMinimumPrincipalAmountOutstandingAsAPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:to="loc_bur_DebtInstrumentRedemptionMinimumPrincipalAmountOutstandingAsAPercentage_019e415a-4cec-70f7-b4c5-0286ba274402" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceChangeInControlPercentage_019e415a-4cec-7d48-a6e6-8a72e2ac004a" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceChangeInControlPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:to="loc_bur_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceChangeInControlPercentage_019e415a-4cec-7d48-a6e6-8a72e2ac004a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceProceedsNotAppliedAsPermittedPercentage_019e415a-4cec-7074-aa17-eb3b300a944c" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceProceedsNotAppliedAsPermittedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b94-a2d6-65df8aac53ec" xlink:to="loc_bur_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceProceedsNotAppliedAsPermittedPercentage_019e415a-4cec-7074-aa17-eb3b300a944c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/DebtTotalAssetsandThirdpartyIndebtednessDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#DebtTotalAssetsandThirdpartyIndebtednessDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/DebtTotalAssetsandThirdpartyIndebtednessDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7821-b9f3-e0502537b91e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-7b86-bc10-87fb7679e9ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7821-b9f3-e0502537b91e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-7b86-bc10-87fb7679e9ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7875-80f5-90cf1189bb80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-7b86-bc10-87fb7679e9ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7875-80f5-90cf1189bb80" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7875-80f5-90cf1189bb80_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7875-80f5-90cf1189bb80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-7875-80f5-90cf1189bb80_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-73fb-b600-34e1f33866ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7875-80f5-90cf1189bb80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-73fb-b600-34e1f33866ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_IndenturesGoverning2028Notes2030NotesAnd2031NotesMember_019e415a-4cec-78f9-bd51-c7915b9fea8b" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_IndenturesGoverning2028Notes2030NotesAnd2031NotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e415a-4cec-73fb-b600-34e1f33866ab" xlink:to="loc_bur_IndenturesGoverning2028Notes2030NotesAnd2031NotesMember_019e415a-4cec-78f9-bd51-c7915b9fea8b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7f8d-8be7-b4c1e9ffce0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-7b86-bc10-87fb7679e9ff" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7f8d-8be7-b4c1e9ffce0e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7f8d-8be7-b4c1e9ffce0e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7f8d-8be7-b4c1e9ffce0e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7f8d-8be7-b4c1e9ffce0e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7f88-9b38-ec7648b003b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7f8d-8be7-b4c1e9ffce0e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7f88-9b38-ec7648b003b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CompanyAndRestrictedSubsidiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-7844-9849-2a9560b83caa" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CompanyAndRestrictedSubsidiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7f88-9b38-ec7648b003b9" xlink:to="loc_bur_CompanyAndRestrictedSubsidiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-7844-9849-2a9560b83caa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_UnrestrictedSubsidiariesMember_019e415a-4cec-74e9-aa92-d4afbe68ebdb" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_UnrestrictedSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7f88-9b38-ec7648b003b9" xlink:to="loc_bur_UnrestrictedSubsidiariesMember_019e415a-4cec-74e9-aa92-d4afbe68ebdb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7db1-b77c-407995f398ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e415a-4cec-7b86-bc10-87fb7679e9ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7db1-b77c-407995f398ec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7db1-b77c-407995f398ec_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7db1-b77c-407995f398ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7db1-b77c-407995f398ec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-74a3-b4c7-5f2f16c9094c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7db1-b77c-407995f398ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-74a3-b4c7-5f2f16c9094c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e415a-4cec-7ee3-b9c0-9922f2bc50ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-74a3-b4c7-5f2f16c9094c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e415a-4cec-7ee3-b9c0-9922f2bc50ba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e415a-4cec-7ba8-b81f-ca241ec0d177" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7821-b9f3-e0502537b91e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e415a-4cec-7ba8-b81f-ca241ec0d177" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e415a-4cec-70c7-bfc6-f478be4e7343" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7821-b9f3-e0502537b91e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e415a-4cec-70c7-bfc6-f478be4e7343" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e415a-4cec-704d-b7c4-ea7818632bfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7821-b9f3-e0502537b91e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e415a-4cec-704d-b7c4-ea7818632bfb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesFinancialInstrumentsGroupedbyFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesFinancialInstrumentsGroupedbyFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesFinancialInstrumentsGroupedbyFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7ae0-8d55-cad0a0b74a6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7b0f-937b-39bc93c06977" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7ae0-8d55-cad0a0b74a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7b0f-937b-39bc93c06977" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e415a-4cec-7bb0-8900-231e020b69c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7b0f-937b-39bc93c06977" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e415a-4cec-7bb0-8900-231e020b69c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7bb0-8900-231e020b69c9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e415a-4cec-7bb0-8900-231e020b69c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7bb0-8900-231e020b69c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-b273-694f9806fc36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e415a-4cec-7bb0-8900-231e020b69c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-b273-694f9806fc36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e415a-4cec-7c03-b59d-cbb08eb03952" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-b273-694f9806fc36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e415a-4cec-7c03-b59d-cbb08eb03952" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e415a-4cec-78d5-97ec-c558da79d480" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-b273-694f9806fc36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e415a-4cec-78d5-97ec-c558da79d480" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e415a-4cec-78f4-b797-6d20a980e07e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-b273-694f9806fc36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e415a-4cec-78f4-b797-6d20a980e07e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7536-b422-a79c99a95d68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7b0f-937b-39bc93c06977" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7536-b422-a79c99a95d68" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7536-b422-a79c99a95d68_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7536-b422-a79c99a95d68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7536-b422-a79c99a95d68_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7536-b422-a79c99a95d68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsSingleMember_019e415a-4cec-7e59-a4b5-b91cdad19fd6" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsSingleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsSingleMember_019e415a-4cec-7e59-a4b5-b91cdad19fd6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioMember_019e415a-4cec-7981-a085-8d529eaca325" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioMember_019e415a-4cec-7981-a085-8d529eaca325" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioWithEquityRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-7d0c-bb01-043e8c72b96a" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioWithEquityRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioWithEquityRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-7d0c-bb01-043e8c72b96a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLegalRiskManagementMember_019e415a-4cec-7bbb-bc22-0208c662adbe" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsLegalRiskManagementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLegalRiskManagementMember_019e415a-4cec-7bbb-bc22-0208c662adbe" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_JointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestmentsMember_019e415a-4cec-79f3-aa8e-2291ab6dadec" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_JointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_JointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestmentsMember_019e415a-4cec-79f3-aa8e-2291ab6dadec" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionAssetsSingleWithEquityRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-7678-8903-e6238d90516a" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CapitalProvisionAssetsSingleWithEquityRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionAssetsSingleWithEquityRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-7678-8903-e6238d90516a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceBurfordOpportunityFundCLpMember_019e415a-4cec-7912-817e-7d7af7fe179a" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceBurfordOpportunityFundCLpMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceBurfordOpportunityFundCLpMember_019e415a-4cec-7912-817e-7d7af7fe179a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsMember_019e415a-4cec-7e93-8569-6e87c82deb07" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsMember_019e415a-4cec-7e93-8569-6e87c82deb07" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLowerRiskLegalFinanceAdvantageFundMember_019e415a-4cec-7775-9167-1d6ab01146f4" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsLowerRiskLegalFinanceAdvantageFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLowerRiskLegalFinanceAdvantageFundMember_019e415a-4cec-7775-9167-1d6ab01146f4" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesShorttermDebtSecuritiesMember_019e415a-4cec-759d-9c6a-448c34b8fabb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesShorttermDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesShorttermDebtSecuritiesMember_019e415a-4cec-759d-9c6a-448c34b8fabb" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CorporateBondsMember_019e415a-4cec-7f6d-8c67-2bc7f49065c7" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CorporateBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_bur_CorporateBondsMember_019e415a-4cec-7f6d-8c67-2bc7f49065c7" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_019e415a-4cec-7429-8474-4223dd75a35f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_019e415a-4cec-7429-8474-4223dd75a35f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MutualFundMember_019e415a-4cec-7c98-9936-4bd71f0dda86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MutualFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MutualFundMember_019e415a-4cec-7c98-9936-4bd71f0dda86" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember_019e415a-4cec-7a0c-9f76-42138025f593" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-ba1c-6e4057f48b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember_019e415a-4cec-7a0c-9f76-42138025f593" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-83a2-925a883f1cd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7ae0-8d55-cad0a0b74a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-83a2-925a883f1cd9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionAssetsAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7a39-af64-63e57fd75507" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_CapitalProvisionAssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-83a2-925a883f1cd9" xlink:to="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionAssetsAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7a39-af64-63e57fd75507" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e415a-4cec-72e9-9dfe-1686fc2f288f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionAssetsAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7a39-af64-63e57fd75507" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e415a-4cec-72e9-9dfe-1686fc2f288f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_NonDerivativeAssetsFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-701e-b257-b13f54320f09" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_NonDerivativeAssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_CapitalProvisionAssetsAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7a39-af64-63e57fd75507" xlink:to="loc_bur_NonDerivativeAssetsFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-701e-b257-b13f54320f09" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7d0d-8700-ed1028db2cf0" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-83a2-925a883f1cd9" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7d0d-8700-ed1028db2cf0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-7a32-ab40-ed15d93f6e82" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7d0d-8700-ed1028db2cf0" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-7a32-ab40-ed15d93f6e82" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-730f-ba7c-b35b525d5da9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-83a2-925a883f1cd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-730f-ba7c-b35b525d5da9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_019e415a-4cec-71f7-b024-9dc084ca2821" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-83a2-925a883f1cd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_019e415a-4cec-71f7-b024-9dc084ca2821" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-70b9-bc1d-ed9655736278" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7ae3-83a2-925a883f1cd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-70b9-bc1d-ed9655736278" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7c6d-ab2d-12485572dae5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7ae0-8d55-cad0a0b74a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7c6d-ab2d-12485572dae5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e415a-4cec-7d3e-bd58-624afd813a8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7c6d-ab2d-12485572dae5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e415a-4cec-7d3e-bd58-624afd813a8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-7c2d-82a5-78496e494615" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7c6d-ab2d-12485572dae5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-7c2d-82a5-78496e494615" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability_019e415a-4cec-7009-a4dc-16202331bbbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7ae0-8d55-cad0a0b74a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability_019e415a-4cec-7009-a4dc-16202331bbbd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesMovementsinLevel3FinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesMovementsinLevel3FinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesMovementsinLevel3FinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7d03-80ed-1c4e33618daa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e415a-4cec-7680-aa1d-7fadba565d20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7d03-80ed-1c4e33618daa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e415a-4cec-7680-aa1d-7fadba565d20" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-749a-ab9b-d4300b85123e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e415a-4cec-7680-aa1d-7fadba565d20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-749a-ab9b-d4300b85123e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-749a-ab9b-d4300b85123e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-749a-ab9b-d4300b85123e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-749a-ab9b-d4300b85123e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-749a-ab9b-d4300b85123e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsSingleMember_019e415a-4cec-7b5f-b8ed-0aaeadadd41f" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsSingleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsSingleMember_019e415a-4cec-7b5f-b8ed-0aaeadadd41f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioMember_019e415a-4cec-7423-a133-116beb023665" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioMember_019e415a-4cec-7423-a133-116beb023665" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioWithEquityRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-79b7-9df5-7b263d51a560" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioWithEquityRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioWithEquityRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-79b7-9df5-7b263d51a560" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLegalRiskManagementMember_019e415a-4cec-7e2d-9746-cc527ce49ce3" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsLegalRiskManagementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLegalRiskManagementMember_019e415a-4cec-7e2d-9746-cc527ce49ce3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_JointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestmentsMember_019e415a-4cec-7eef-a1f0-9dfb58ee4da9" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_JointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_JointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestmentsMember_019e415a-4cec-7eef-a1f0-9dfb58ee4da9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceBurfordOpportunityFundCLpMember_019e415a-4cec-7e0b-b707-ee553bfad67d" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceBurfordOpportunityFundCLpMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceBurfordOpportunityFundCLpMember_019e415a-4cec-7e0b-b707-ee553bfad67d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsMember_019e415a-4cec-79e5-9ec5-ebf33613221b" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsMember_019e415a-4cec-79e5-9ec5-ebf33613221b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLowerRiskLegalFinanceAdvantageFundMember_019e415a-4cec-7452-afce-0817c780f4ba" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsLowerRiskLegalFinanceAdvantageFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLowerRiskLegalFinanceAdvantageFundMember_019e415a-4cec-7452-afce-0817c780f4ba" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember_019e415a-4cec-72ee-923c-5a84950b63a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember_019e415a-4cec-72ee-923c-5a84950b63a5" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember_019e415a-4cec-79e8-8e42-432eb19bf07d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember_019e415a-4cec-79e8-8e42-432eb19bf07d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember_019e415a-4cec-79f6-8b84-7b8f85efdda9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember_019e415a-4cec-79f6-8b84-7b8f85efdda9" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsThirdPartyInterestsMember_019ef11e-6f8e-7b61-81e4-41c8eebde8df" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsThirdPartyInterestsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsThirdPartyInterestsMember_019ef11e-6f8e-7b61-81e4-41c8eebde8df" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsOtherAdditionsMember_019e415a-4cec-7056-9b9d-7b048fce8593" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsOtherAdditionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7455-9777-9511b7748b4f" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCoreLegalFinanceEPFundsOtherAdditionsMember_019e415a-4cec-7056-9b9d-7b048fce8593" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7d03-80ed-1c4e33618daa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_019e415a-4cec-715b-b634-ced494e76853" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_019e415a-4cec-715b-b634-ced494e76853" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_019e415a-4cec-7cdd-b46c-335cfc2541e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_019e415a-4cec-7cdd-b46c-335cfc2541e6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetsTransfersBetweenLevels_019e415a-4cec-733d-a38d-864baf4515d2" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetsTransfersBetweenLevels"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:to="loc_bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetsTransfersBetweenLevels_019e415a-4cec-733d-a38d-864baf4515d2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases_019e415a-4cec-7434-9b84-a695fe2f6329" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases_019e415a-4cec-7434-9b84-a695fe2f6329" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales_019e415a-4cec-7d33-871d-d2bc849c3fde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales_019e415a-4cec-7d33-871d-d2bc849c3fde" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAssetGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList_019e415a-4cec-75f8-b1b0-7b91ef927ed2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAssetGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAssetGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList_019e415a-4cec-75f8-b1b0-7b91ef927ed2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1_019e415a-4cec-756f-a5f2-c2396e5a6d41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1_019e415a-4cec-756f-a5f2-c2396e5a6d41" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetsForeignExchangeGainsLosses_019e415a-4cec-79fa-b5af-797b73dadd61" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetsForeignExchangeGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7aaa-8c37-27996f033d9a" xlink:to="loc_bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetsForeignExchangeGainsLosses_019e415a-4cec-79fa-b5af-797b73dadd61" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_019e415a-4cec-77f8-8551-5d5159e3a598" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7d03-80ed-1c4e33618daa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_019e415a-4cec-766d-a6b4-0f388926f7d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_019e415a-4cec-766d-a6b4-0f388926f7d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3_019e415a-4cec-7372-8ffe-bfb2b1b931b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3_019e415a-4cec-7372-8ffe-bfb2b1b931b3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitiesTransfersBetweenLevels_019e415a-4cec-7809-bcf2-be4a35490df0" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitiesTransfersBetweenLevels"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:to="loc_bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitiesTransfersBetweenLevels_019e415a-4cec-7809-bcf2-be4a35490df0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPurchases_019e415a-4cec-7e68-9552-3c76108dc15a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPurchases_019e415a-4cec-7e68-9552-3c76108dc15a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySales_019e415a-4cec-72ff-b98f-55528d9d6cd8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySales"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySales_019e415a-4cec-72ff-b98f-55528d9d6cd8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLiabilityGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList_019e415a-4cec-7b4c-a390-894aa0314558" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLiabilityGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLiabilityGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList_019e415a-4cec-7b4c-a390-894aa0314558" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings_019e415a-4cec-7206-9f8c-7ad3271d7779" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings_019e415a-4cec-7206-9f8c-7ad3271d7779" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitiesForeignExchangeGainsLosses_019e415a-4cec-75e2-a0b4-a0e4f74f7d4e" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitiesForeignExchangeGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e415a-4cec-7fd4-adc1-7786d283693b" xlink:to="loc_bur_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitiesForeignExchangeGainsLosses_019e415a-4cec-75e2-a0b4-a0e4f74f7d4e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_019e415a-4cec-7d9b-bb5a-1656456fbb2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesLevel3MeasurementInputsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesLevel3MeasurementInputsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesLevel3MeasurementInputsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7e81-9c37-3ca0e5de683d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7e81-9c37-3ca0e5de683d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7e67-9d70-d1c90a24683e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7e81-9c37-3ca0e5de683d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7e67-9d70-d1c90a24683e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7e67-9d70-d1c90a24683e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7e67-9d70-d1c90a24683e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7e67-9d70-d1c90a24683e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7562-9a99-adea2d8ac68a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e415a-4cec-7e67-9d70-d1c90a24683e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7562-9a99-adea2d8ac68a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_SingleCasePortfolioJointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestmentsLegalRiskManagementCoreLegalFinanceFinancialLiabilitiesRelatingToThirdPartyInterestsInCapitalProvisionAssetsMember_019e415a-4cec-704e-8eed-e04b586d6beb" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_SingleCasePortfolioJointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestmentsLegalRiskManagementCoreLegalFinanceFinancialLiabilitiesRelatingToThirdPartyInterestsInCapitalProvisionAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7562-9a99-adea2d8ac68a" xlink:to="loc_bur_SingleCasePortfolioJointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestmentsLegalRiskManagementCoreLegalFinanceFinancialLiabilitiesRelatingToThirdPartyInterestsInCapitalProvisionAssetsMember_019e415a-4cec-704e-8eed-e04b586d6beb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLowerRiskLegalFinanceAdvantageFundMember_019e415a-4cec-7d1e-82f4-a281e9bf7f8e" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsLowerRiskLegalFinanceAdvantageFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7562-9a99-adea2d8ac68a" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsLowerRiskLegalFinanceAdvantageFundMember_019e415a-4cec-7d1e-82f4-a281e9bf7f8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioWithEquityRiskAndCoreLegalFinanceMember_019e415a-4cec-7a4f-a2c8-8d04ab96e767" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioWithEquityRiskAndCoreLegalFinanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7562-9a99-adea2d8ac68a" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsPortfolioWithEquityRiskAndCoreLegalFinanceMember_019e415a-4cec-7a4f-a2c8-8d04ab96e767" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7204-919b-a9499efa89de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7e81-9c37-3ca0e5de683d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7204-919b-a9499efa89de" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7204-919b-a9499efa89de_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7204-919b-a9499efa89de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-7204-919b-a9499efa89de_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-7204-919b-a9499efa89de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember_019e415a-4cec-7f78-9d07-6e40bbf034cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember_019e415a-4cec-7f78-9d07-6e40bbf034cd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember_019e415a-4cec-793e-bfe3-7d22bfd06de0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember_019e415a-4cec-793e-bfe3-7d22bfd06de0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputAdjustedRiskPremiumMember_019e415a-4cec-7a8f-9dd9-17a47c3196c6" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputAdjustedRiskPremiumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputAdjustedRiskPremiumMember_019e415a-4cec-7a8f-9dd9-17a47c3196c6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputSignificantPositiveRulingOrOtherObjectiveEventPriorToTrialCourtJudgmentMember_019e415a-4cec-79d3-8802-2772d7f27543" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputSignificantPositiveRulingOrOtherObjectiveEventPriorToTrialCourtJudgmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputSignificantPositiveRulingOrOtherObjectiveEventPriorToTrialCourtJudgmentMember_019e415a-4cec-79d3-8802-2772d7f27543" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputTrialCourtJudgmentOrTribunalAwardMember_019e415a-4cec-7028-802e-f116d8582e5b" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputTrialCourtJudgmentOrTribunalAwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputTrialCourtJudgmentOrTribunalAwardMember_019e415a-4cec-7028-802e-f116d8582e5b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputAppealJudgmentMember_019e415a-4cec-7329-80d6-b889e74946c7" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputAppealJudgmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputAppealJudgmentMember_019e415a-4cec-7329-80d6-b889e74946c7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputAssetFreezeMember_019e415a-4cec-7f36-942a-b0951b40e39a" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputAssetFreezeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputAssetFreezeMember_019e415a-4cec-7f36-942a-b0951b40e39a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputExhaustionOfAsOfRightAppealsMember_019e415a-4cec-76a1-b152-76c2c348e30f" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputExhaustionOfAsOfRightAppealsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputExhaustionOfAsOfRightAppealsMember_019e415a-4cec-76a1-b152-76c2c348e30f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputExhaustionOfAllAppealsMember_019e415a-4cec-7d77-814e-ab102ad83a57" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputExhaustionOfAllAppealsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputExhaustionOfAllAppealsMember_019e415a-4cec-7d77-814e-ab102ad83a57" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputSettlementMember_019e415a-4cec-7916-b993-95a0c804abd8" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputSettlementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputSettlementMember_019e415a-4cec-7916-b993-95a0c804abd8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputPortfoliosWithMultipleFactorsMember_019e415a-4cec-7a93-b8c7-0c1e7f3aed26" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputPortfoliosWithMultipleFactorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputPortfoliosWithMultipleFactorsMember_019e415a-4cec-7a93-b8c7-0c1e7f3aed26" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputOtherMember_019e415a-4cec-7e9c-b0bd-2864465c5347" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputOtherMember_019e415a-4cec-7e9c-b0bd-2864465c5347" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputResolutionTimingMember_019e415a-4cec-7db7-8485-8540888bd8ba" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputResolutionTimingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputResolutionTimingMember_019e415a-4cec-7db7-8485-8540888bd8ba" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputConversionRatioMember_019e415a-4cec-7e37-989d-368d78b50b62" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputConversionRatioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputConversionRatioMember_019e415a-4cec-7e37-989d-368d78b50b62" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MeasurementInputCollectionRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-7ffe-9156-454cbbf53edb" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MeasurementInputCollectionRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-745a-ab56-9b7b683efbd7" xlink:to="loc_bur_MeasurementInputCollectionRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-7ffe-9156-454cbbf53edb" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsAxis_019e415a-4cec-7985-9c87-20f1b6f5cd01" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FairValueAdjustmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7e81-9c37-3ca0e5de683d" xlink:to="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsAxis_019e415a-4cec-7985-9c87-20f1b6f5cd01" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7985-9c87-20f1b6f5cd01_default" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsAxis_019e415a-4cec-7985-9c87-20f1b6f5cd01" xlink:to="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7985-9c87-20f1b6f5cd01_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7116-88c5-94d3361afe40" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsAxis_019e415a-4cec-7985-9c87-20f1b6f5cd01" xlink:to="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7116-88c5-94d3361afe40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_PositiveFairValueAdjustmentsMember_019e415a-4cec-7a9c-b25f-81482583dd1b" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_PositiveFairValueAdjustmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7116-88c5-94d3361afe40" xlink:to="loc_bur_PositiveFairValueAdjustmentsMember_019e415a-4cec-7a9c-b25f-81482583dd1b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_NegativeFairValueAdjustmentsMember_019e415a-4cec-7afa-8ef9-e0635b34d556" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_NegativeFairValueAdjustmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7116-88c5-94d3361afe40" xlink:to="loc_bur_NegativeFairValueAdjustmentsMember_019e415a-4cec-7afa-8ef9-e0635b34d556" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_NoCaseMilestoneMember_019e415a-4cec-7d3c-9813-d8656a76d038" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_NoCaseMilestoneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7116-88c5-94d3361afe40" xlink:to="loc_bur_NoCaseMilestoneMember_019e415a-4cec-7d3c-9813-d8656a76d038" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_YpfRelatedAssetsMember_019e415a-4cec-75e2-bf98-756434df10f9" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_YpfRelatedAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_FairValueAdjustmentsDomain_019e415a-4cec-7116-88c5-94d3361afe40" xlink:to="loc_bur_YpfRelatedAssetsMember_019e415a-4cec-75e2-bf98-756434df10f9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis_019e415a-4cec-79eb-b238-6664a5eef4c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7e81-9c37-3ca0e5de683d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis_019e415a-4cec-79eb-b238-6664a5eef4c2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_019e415a-4cec-79eb-b238-6664a5eef4c2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis_019e415a-4cec-79eb-b238-6664a5eef4c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_019e415a-4cec-79eb-b238-6664a5eef4c2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c8a-b454-54090fc90dba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis_019e415a-4cec-79eb-b238-6664a5eef4c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c8a-b454-54090fc90dba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember_019e415a-4cec-78ab-9550-966fc38d1042" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c8a-b454-54090fc90dba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember_019e415a-4cec-78ab-9550-966fc38d1042" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e415a-4cec-702c-bce0-1471cf98438c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7e81-9c37-3ca0e5de683d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e415a-4cec-702c-bce0-1471cf98438c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e415a-4cec-702c-bce0-1471cf98438c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e415a-4cec-702c-bce0-1471cf98438c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e415a-4cec-702c-bce0-1471cf98438c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e415a-4cec-72ab-b681-44c5debea2df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e415a-4cec-702c-bce0-1471cf98438c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e415a-4cec-72ab-b681-44c5debea2df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e415a-4cec-7085-a62a-65de1e5a4ded" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e415a-4cec-72ab-b681-44c5debea2df" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e415a-4cec-7085-a62a-65de1e5a4ded" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e415a-4cec-7024-88e8-3214e2ab3bec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e415a-4cec-72ab-b681-44c5debea2df" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e415a-4cec-7024-88e8-3214e2ab3bec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_019e415a-4cec-7a7f-bd8f-84602ad970a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_WeightedAverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e415a-4cec-72ab-b681-44c5debea2df" xlink:to="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_019e415a-4cec-7a7f-bd8f-84602ad970a5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e415a-4cec-7747-aa5f-3538fd8fb8fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-7e81-9c37-3ca0e5de683d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e415a-4cec-7747-aa5f-3538fd8fb8fc" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7747-aa5f-3538fd8fb8fc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e415a-4cec-7747-aa5f-3538fd8fb8fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7747-aa5f-3538fd8fb8fc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7839-b98d-a59ea4add0c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e415a-4cec-7747-aa5f-3538fd8fb8fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7839-b98d-a59ea4add0c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e415a-4cec-7823-a70f-a4afcc85811d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7839-b98d-a59ea4add0c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e415a-4cec-7823-a70f-a4afcc85811d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCost_019e415a-4cec-77aa-80d1-7650228d847c" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsCost_019e415a-4cec-77aa-80d1-7650228d847c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsUnrealizedGainLoss_019e415a-4cec-7381-a085-95da4d245b31" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DerivativeAssetsUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_DerivativeAssetsUnrealizedGainLoss_019e415a-4cec-7381-a085-95da4d245b31" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e415a-4cec-7c6b-a147-1c42cb2857e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e415a-4cec-7c6b-a147-1c42cb2857e2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetMeasurementInput_019e415a-4cec-7661-be57-7efb84d20fbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetMeasurementInput_019e415a-4cec-7661-be57-7efb84d20fbf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesCost_019e415a-4cec-76fa-84b4-507a9957dc77" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesCost_019e415a-4cec-76fa-84b4-507a9957dc77" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesUnrealizedGainLoss_019e415a-4cec-7cf6-aa36-e5755c20d86f" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesUnrealizedGainLoss_019e415a-4cec-7cf6-aa36-e5755c20d86f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-75b7-8db1-829c445c11f9" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-75b7-8db1-829c445c11f9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesMeasurementInput_019e415a-4cec-70b1-93b1-485440a56cf8" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetsOfConsolidatedInvestmentCompaniesMeasurementInput_019e415a-4cec-70b1-93b1-485440a56cf8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AccountsReceivableCost_019e415a-4cec-7e86-8e23-abc9091e6895" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AccountsReceivableCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_AccountsReceivableCost_019e415a-4cec-7e86-8e23-abc9091e6895" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AccountsReceivableUnrealizedGainLoss_019e415a-4cec-7861-affb-f57b25ec5765" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AccountsReceivableUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_AccountsReceivableUnrealizedGainLoss_019e415a-4cec-7861-affb-f57b25ec5765" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-71b5-a1ea-0b6f4fd6654b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableFairValueDisclosure_019e415a-4cec-71b5-a1ea-0b6f4fd6654b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AccountsReceivableMeasurementInput_019e415a-4cec-7ad7-b303-12e56c0a1832" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AccountsReceivableMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_AccountsReceivableMeasurementInput_019e415a-4cec-7ad7-b303-12e56c0a1832" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetsLiabilitiesNetCost_019e415a-4cec-71bb-a311-8753f7802568" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetsLiabilitiesNetCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetsLiabilitiesNetCost_019e415a-4cec-71bb-a311-8753f7802568" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_AssetsLiabilitiesNetUnrealizedGainLoss_019e415a-4cec-70dc-840b-9bdfd44eee05" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_AssetsLiabilitiesNetUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_bur_AssetsLiabilitiesNetUnrealizedGainLoss_019e415a-4cec-70dc-840b-9bdfd44eee05" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability_019e415a-4cec-7729-bed5-b546e8d6d620" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-70bb-878c-bc0400da8a63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability_019e415a-4cec-7729-bed5-b546e8d6d620" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesInterestRateSensitivityofLevel3ValuationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesInterestRateSensitivityofLevel3ValuationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesInterestRateSensitivityofLevel3ValuationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-78fd-a161-bb59253299bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-755b-82c1-96e34821894e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-78fd-a161-bb59253299bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-755b-82c1-96e34821894e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateAxis_019e415a-4cec-71fb-9bfc-c03f4bfc89a0" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ChangeInInterestRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-755b-82c1-96e34821894e" xlink:to="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateAxis_019e415a-4cec-71fb-9bfc-c03f4bfc89a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateDomain_019e415a-4cec-71fb-9bfc-c03f4bfc89a0_default" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ChangeInInterestRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateAxis_019e415a-4cec-71fb-9bfc-c03f4bfc89a0" xlink:to="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateDomain_019e415a-4cec-71fb-9bfc-c03f4bfc89a0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateDomain_019e415a-4cec-708a-b263-9cb488b34364" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ChangeInInterestRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateAxis_019e415a-4cec-71fb-9bfc-c03f4bfc89a0" xlink:to="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateDomain_019e415a-4cec-708a-b263-9cb488b34364" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_InterestRateChangeOf100BpsMember_019e415a-4cec-77f8-8b8b-f44778bb1258" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_InterestRateChangeOf100BpsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateDomain_019e415a-4cec-708a-b263-9cb488b34364" xlink:to="loc_bur_InterestRateChangeOf100BpsMember_019e415a-4cec-77f8-8b8b-f44778bb1258" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_InterestRateChangeOf50BpsMember_019e415a-4cec-7c31-9a02-31cb8e2f7729" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_InterestRateChangeOf50BpsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_ChangeInInterestRateDomain_019e415a-4cec-708a-b263-9cb488b34364" xlink:to="loc_bur_InterestRateChangeOf50BpsMember_019e415a-4cec-7c31-9a02-31cb8e2f7729" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FinancialInstrumentPercentageOfIncreaseInInterestRates_019e415a-4cec-707e-95a3-af1191970116" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FinancialInstrumentPercentageOfIncreaseInInterestRates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-78fd-a161-bb59253299bf" xlink:to="loc_bur_FinancialInstrumentPercentageOfIncreaseInInterestRates_019e415a-4cec-707e-95a3-af1191970116" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FinancialInstrumentPercentageOfDecreaseInInterestRates_019e415a-4cec-71ea-a019-bf62484aa541" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FinancialInstrumentPercentageOfDecreaseInInterestRates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-78fd-a161-bb59253299bf" xlink:to="loc_bur_FinancialInstrumentPercentageOfDecreaseInInterestRates_019e415a-4cec-71ea-a019-bf62484aa541" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DecreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToIncreaseInInterestRate_019e415a-4cec-7240-b2b8-033aed541573" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DecreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToIncreaseInInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-78fd-a161-bb59253299bf" xlink:to="loc_bur_DecreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToIncreaseInInterestRate_019e415a-4cec-7240-b2b8-033aed541573" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_IncreaseDecreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToDecreaseIncreaseInInterestRate_019e415a-4cec-73ee-8e27-77455cb67e24" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_IncreaseDecreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToDecreaseIncreaseInInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-78fd-a161-bb59253299bf" xlink:to="loc_bur_IncreaseDecreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToDecreaseIncreaseInInterestRate_019e415a-4cec-73ee-8e27-77455cb67e24" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesExpectedTimingSensitivityofLevel3ValuationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesExpectedTimingSensitivityofLevel3ValuationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/FairvalueofassetsandliabilitiesExpectedTimingSensitivityofLevel3ValuationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7e49-ac76-5a5ebacd659a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-70ee-83f4-73ebc720793a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7e49-ac76-5a5ebacd659a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-70ee-83f4-73ebc720793a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingAxis_019e415a-4cec-75aa-b027-dee71b8d68ec" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e415a-4cec-70ee-83f4-73ebc720793a" xlink:to="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingAxis_019e415a-4cec-75aa-b027-dee71b8d68ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-b027-dee71b8d68ec_default" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingAxis_019e415a-4cec-75aa-b027-dee71b8d68ec" xlink:to="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingDomain_019e415a-4cec-75aa-b027-dee71b8d68ec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingDomain_019e415a-4cec-748f-95e5-887fb42941cd" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingAxis_019e415a-4cec-75aa-b027-dee71b8d68ec" xlink:to="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingDomain_019e415a-4cec-748f-95e5-887fb42941cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_A6MonthsDurationMember_019e415a-4cec-7309-ba46-79c727ba9c4a" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_A6MonthsDurationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingDomain_019e415a-4cec-748f-95e5-887fb42941cd" xlink:to="loc_bur_A6MonthsDurationMember_019e415a-4cec-7309-ba46-79c727ba9c4a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_A12MonthsDurationMember_019e415a-4cec-7cc1-8f1e-35beef959ddc" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_A12MonthsDurationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bur_ChangeInExpectedTimingDomain_019e415a-4cec-748f-95e5-887fb42941cd" xlink:to="loc_bur_A12MonthsDurationMember_019e415a-4cec-7cc1-8f1e-35beef959ddc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FinancialInstrumentIncreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome_019e415a-4cec-7bc1-90e7-da25fe901714" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FinancialInstrumentIncreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7e49-ac76-5a5ebacd659a" xlink:to="loc_bur_FinancialInstrumentIncreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome_019e415a-4cec-7bc1-90e7-da25fe901714" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_FinancialInstrumentDecreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome_019e415a-4cec-721f-9fe6-eaafa92a8501" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_FinancialInstrumentDecreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7e49-ac76-5a5ebacd659a" xlink:to="loc_bur_FinancialInstrumentDecreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome_019e415a-4cec-721f-9fe6-eaafa92a8501" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_DecreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToIncreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome_019e415a-4cec-7e9e-b335-a246a830c7e8" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_DecreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToIncreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7e49-ac76-5a5ebacd659a" xlink:to="loc_bur_DecreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToIncreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome_019e415a-4cec-7e9e-b335-a246a830c7e8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_IncreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToDecreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome_019e415a-4cec-7317-88a0-27cee09344cb" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_IncreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToDecreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7e49-ac76-5a5ebacd659a" xlink:to="loc_bur_IncreaseInConsolidatedIncomeAndNetAssetsDueToDecreaseInExpectedTimingOfAFavorableOutcome_019e415a-4cec-7317-88a0-27cee09344cb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/VariableinterestentitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#VariableinterestentitiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/VariableinterestentitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7a7f-b522-699b1cd85b40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-71c8-b0d1-b01f4a986a89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7a7f-b522-699b1cd85b40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-71c8-b0d1-b01f4a986a89" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7c63-bc05-ad522673ca94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-71c8-b0d1-b01f4a986a89" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7c63-bc05-ad522673ca94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c63-bc05-ad522673ca94_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7c63-bc05-ad522673ca94" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7c63-bc05-ad522673ca94_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7128-a42b-67428072e763" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7c63-bc05-ad522673ca94" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7128-a42b-67428072e763" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-7c8b-a025-bfb12f295f11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7128-a42b-67428072e763" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-7c8b-a025-bfb12f295f11" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019e415a-4cec-77b0-bcea-56b7553af9fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7a7f-b522-699b1cd85b40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019e415a-4cec-77b0-bcea-56b7553af9fd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/VariableinterestentitiesAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#VariableinterestentitiesAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/VariableinterestentitiesAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7bf5-a37e-2280a36c346d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-7733-a017-c8110a4127de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7bf5-a37e-2280a36c346d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-7733-a017-c8110a4127de" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7d46-87bb-044eafe06210" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-7733-a017-c8110a4127de" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7d46-87bb-044eafe06210" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7d46-87bb-044eafe06210_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7d46-87bb-044eafe06210" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7d46-87bb-044eafe06210_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7b9a-826e-e96a6624491e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7d46-87bb-044eafe06210" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7b9a-826e-e96a6624491e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-71c2-b3a6-7a6b28f090df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7b9a-826e-e96a6624491e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-71c2-b3a6-7a6b28f090df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e415a-4cec-7837-b0ed-4978825127a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7bf5-a37e-2280a36c346d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e415a-4cec-7837-b0ed-4978825127a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e415a-4cec-7823-a3fa-d4251a8e0609" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7bf5-a37e-2280a36c346d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e415a-4cec-7823-a3fa-d4251a8e0609" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/VariableinterestentitiesIncomeProceedsFundingandCashBalancesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#VariableinterestentitiesIncomeProceedsFundingandCashBalancesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/VariableinterestentitiesIncomeProceedsFundingandCashBalancesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-73cd-ba2d-73c282c402c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-7b28-afdf-efe4b33cb10a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-73cd-ba2d-73c282c402c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-7b28-afdf-efe4b33cb10a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-78e7-9d7f-f64eaca070b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-7b28-afdf-efe4b33cb10a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-78e7-9d7f-f64eaca070b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-78e7-9d7f-f64eaca070b9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-78e7-9d7f-f64eaca070b9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-78e7-9d7f-f64eaca070b9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7afb-bbfa-1d1590b592d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-78e7-9d7f-f64eaca070b9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7afb-bbfa-1d1590b592d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-7faa-8254-08ee9782ab35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7afb-bbfa-1d1590b592d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-7faa-8254-08ee9782ab35" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e415a-4cec-7d8f-b42a-a58b5722f657" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-73cd-ba2d-73c282c402c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e415a-4cec-7d8f-b42a-a58b5722f657" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalCashFlowElementsAndSupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7512-9cc3-c08d22ce8eb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalCashFlowElementsAndSupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-73cd-ba2d-73c282c402c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalCashFlowElementsAndSupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7512-9cc3-c08d22ce8eb1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ProceedsFromVariableInterestEntities_019e415a-4cec-7063-b241-f76f86d94b9b" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ProceedsFromVariableInterestEntities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalCashFlowElementsAndSupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7512-9cc3-c08d22ce8eb1" xlink:to="loc_bur_ProceedsFromVariableInterestEntities_019e415a-4cec-7063-b241-f76f86d94b9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_PaymentsForVariableInterestEntities_019e415a-4cec-7f3c-a6f1-81e5f5950bb3" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_PaymentsForVariableInterestEntities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalCashFlowElementsAndSupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e415a-4cec-7512-9cc3-c08d22ce8eb1" xlink:to="loc_bur_PaymentsForVariableInterestEntities_019e415a-4cec-7f3c-a6f1-81e5f5950bb3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e415a-4cec-776d-a14c-a68a247cc934" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-73cd-ba2d-73c282c402c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e415a-4cec-776d-a14c-a68a247cc934" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesScheduleofUnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#VariableInterestEntitiesScheduleofUnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesScheduleofUnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-702f-891c-be2411ae92bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-7cc9-a2f0-5f1b66a8a733" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-702f-891c-be2411ae92bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-7cc9-a2f0-5f1b66a8a733" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7718-b96b-155e881e23df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e415a-4cec-7cc9-a2f0-5f1b66a8a733" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7718-b96b-155e881e23df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7718-b96b-155e881e23df_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7718-b96b-155e881e23df" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-7718-b96b-155e881e23df_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-72a6-8dbd-e6dc1c2b3096" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e415a-4cec-7718-b96b-155e881e23df" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-72a6-8dbd-e6dc1c2b3096" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-70a0-aeca-a8bddb4e1fea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e415a-4cec-72a6-8dbd-e6dc1c2b3096" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e415a-4cec-70a0-aeca-a8bddb4e1fea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_VariableInterestEntityOnBalanceSheetExposure_019e415a-4cec-7f71-a966-22888c649d02" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_VariableInterestEntityOnBalanceSheetExposure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-702f-891c-be2411ae92bc" xlink:to="loc_bur_VariableInterestEntityOnBalanceSheetExposure_019e415a-4cec-7f71-a966-22888c649d02" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_VariableInterestEntityOffBalanceSheetExposure_019e415a-4cec-722b-bd6e-a790aa9f155c" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_VariableInterestEntityOffBalanceSheetExposure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-702f-891c-be2411ae92bc" xlink:to="loc_bur_VariableInterestEntityOffBalanceSheetExposure_019e415a-4cec-722b-bd6e-a790aa9f155c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount_019e415a-4cec-736f-b531-5780280c4ca1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e415a-4cec-702f-891c-be2411ae92bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount_019e415a-4cec-736f-b531-5780280c4ca1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/RelatedpartytransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#RelatedpartytransactionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/RelatedpartytransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b6e-b202-1e8db86df60b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e415a-4cec-7307-8c03-8d46179f5f1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b6e-b202-1e8db86df60b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e415a-4cec-7307-8c03-8d46179f5f1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e415a-4cec-7a9f-a84b-fbbdf81f7c42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e415a-4cec-7307-8c03-8d46179f5f1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e415a-4cec-7a9f-a84b-fbbdf81f7c42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7a9f-a84b-fbbdf81f7c42_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e415a-4cec-7a9f-a84b-fbbdf81f7c42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e415a-4cec-7a9f-a84b-fbbdf81f7c42_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e415a-4cec-71fb-8828-5c6149e9fbe9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e415a-4cec-7a9f-a84b-fbbdf81f7c42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e415a-4cec-71fb-8828-5c6149e9fbe9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e415a-4cec-71de-a4e6-6dd7a93130c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e415a-4cec-71fb-8828-5c6149e9fbe9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e415a-4cec-71de-a4e6-6dd7a93130c1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestment_019e415a-4cec-7c06-9fb1-2c03dd984130" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b6e-b202-1e8db86df60b" xlink:to="loc_bur_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestment_019e415a-4cec-7c06-9fb1-2c03dd984130" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_ProceedsFromJointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestments_019e415a-4cec-77dc-9e15-1d4489e2c257" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_ProceedsFromJointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e415a-4cec-7b6e-b202-1e8db86df60b" xlink:to="loc_bur_ProceedsFromJointVenturesAndEquityMethodInvestments_019e415a-4cec-77dc-9e15-1d4489e2c257" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CreditriskfromfinancialinstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#CreditriskfromfinancialinstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.burfordcapital.com/role/CreditriskfromfinancialinstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_019e415a-4cec-74b9-a884-87768c31ff29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_019e415a-4cec-7ad0-acb7-a1fba6a7ff08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_019e415a-4cec-74b9-a884-87768c31ff29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_019e415a-4cec-7ad0-acb7-a1fba6a7ff08" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-72b1-b3af-0b2371f6f0cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_019e415a-4cec-7ad0-acb7-a1fba6a7ff08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-72b1-b3af-0b2371f6f0cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-72b1-b3af-0b2371f6f0cb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-72b1-b3af-0b2371f6f0cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-72b1-b3af-0b2371f6f0cb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-78fd-a9fe-1b4723dc0ad0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_019e415a-4cec-72b1-b3af-0b2371f6f0cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-78fd-a9fe-1b4723dc0ad0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-7a81-ba5c-30288945d492" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019e415a-4cec-78fd-a9fe-1b4723dc0ad0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember_019e415a-4cec-7a81-ba5c-30288945d492" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bur_MaximumExposureToCreditRiskOfFinancialAssets_019e415a-4cec-71be-8d8c-f83ac7d30fe3" xlink:href="bur-20260630.xsd#bur_MaximumExposureToCreditRiskOfFinancialAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_019e415a-4cec-74b9-a884-87768c31ff29" xlink:to="loc_bur_MaximumExposureToCreditRiskOfFinancialAssets_019e415a-4cec-71be-8d8c-f83ac7d30fe3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges_019e415a-4cec-70dc-8e6e-bfe077b78191" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_019e415a-4cec-74b9-a884-87768c31ff29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges_019e415a-4cec-70dc-8e6e-bfe077b78191" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/srt/role/srt-eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-roles-2026.xsd#eedm1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/srt/role/srt-eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax" xlink:type="arc" order="691"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
