19 NW law firms forced to shut over insurance
THE Solicitors Regulation Authority has published the names of 136 firms, 19 of them in the North West, that were forced to close for failing to secure professional indemnity insurance by a December deadline.
The SRA said it had taken the unusual step in the interests of protecting consumers and third parties.
It said most of the firms had closed and that a small number that had failed to close properly “are subject to ongoing robust action”.
The North West list includes Manchester-based EOS Law which went into administration in December and Hills of Bolton which ceased trading last year.
The other 17 firms are: Asuelime, Manchester; BE Solicitors, Manchester; Barwise & Co, St Helens; Blackstone Law, Cheetham Hill, Manchester; Bower Harris, Manchester; Cooper Ford, Wilmslow; Crangle Edwards Solicitors, Cheadle; Fruhman Davies Livingstone, Manchester; Jacqueline Goodlad, Cockermouth; John Halson Solicitors, Liverpool; JST, Liverpool; M&S Legal, Knutsford; Northfield Solicitors, Rochdale; Robinsons, Liverpool; Simon Bergin, Cheshire; Taylor Legal, Crewe; Widdows Mason, Leigh.
In a statement the SRA said: “The majority of these firms have closed properly, dealing with client files and monies appropriately, and have fully co-operated with the SRA. There is no evidence that these firms practised without indemnity insurance.
“There are a small number of firms that failed to close properly and they are subject to ongoing robust action. Firms are aware that they should not undertake work without insurance, although clients have protection in these circumstances.”
The renewal deadline for insurance was October 1 and the SRA extended the period by 90 days. Firms that did not obtain cover by December 29 were under a regulatory obligation to close.
