The SRA the regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales who regulate more than 200,000 solicitors in England and Wales were alerted to the unexpected closure of PM Law Ltd and associated firms including Butterworths Solicitors in Cumbria on Monday 2nd February.
The firm closed with notifies placed on the doors of branches including the Penrith branch of Butterworths Solicitors on Cornmarket saying “Due to regulatory matters the PM Group businesses carried out within this building can no longer trade."
A spokesperson for the SRA said “We understand that this is concerning and distressing news for all involved, not least those that had on-going matters with the firm.”
“We launched an immediate investigation into PM Law on Monday and contacted the firm to make sure client interests are protected properly. As a result of our initial investigation, we have taken the decision on 4 February to intervene into the group of firms (a full list can be found below).”
An intervention means SRA take possession of all documents and papers held by the firm, take possession of all money held by the firm (including clients' money), and, where a firm is still trading, close it with immediate effect.
Sarah Rapson, Chief Executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, said:'We have acted quickly and decisively to protect the interests of clients.
'The sudden announcement from PM Law on Monday that they had closed is troubling news and I fully sympathise with the clients of the firm. Many of those involved are buying and selling a house or dealing with personal injury claims. These matters can be stressful enough without the added complication of your solicitor's firm closing during the process.
'While we cannot disclose information about an on-going investigation, we are working quickly to gather all the relevant information and provide answers to those that have raised important questions about their on-going matters with the firm.
'Finally, we also recognise that this is a difficult time for the employees of the firm who have sadly lost their jobs this week.'
The SRA have appointed an intervention agent who will contact clients with ongoing matters, prioritising those with the most urgent or imminent issues.
They have also provided initial information for clients on the SRA website, which will continue to update with more information as soon as the regulatory body have it.
The company operated using multiple names and brands including:
PM Law Limited
Proddow Mackay Limited
3M Law Limited
Linkfield Claims Service Limited
Butterworths Solicitors LLP
Autonet Law LLP
Proddow Mackay (Conveyancing) Limited
WB Pennine Solicitors LLP
Proddow Mackay Solicitors LLP
PM Law (Specialist Claims) Limited
PM Property Lawyers Limited
Additional trading names used by the firm include:
Abraxas Law
All Your Accidents
Angela Viney Conveyancing Services
Complete Property Deal
Barrett and Co Solicitors
BB Conveyancing
Bridgeview law
DAzur Law
Deborah J Hoban Law
GN Law
Gaddes Noble Law
Gaddes Noble Property Lawyers
Gaines & Wilkinson Ltd
HGA Conveyancing
John M Lewis & Co Ltd
JK Advokatas
KB Property Law
Lexelle Assist
Litkraft Solicitors
Litkraft Conveyancing
Lloyd Green Solicitors
PLA Law Limited
PM Legal Services
PM Property Lawyers law
Proddow Mackay (Conveyancing) Limited
Valerie Holmes Law
Valerie Holmes Property Lawyer
Wilsons Solicitors
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
