Regulator monitoring Halliwells situation

THE Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) said it is monitoring the situation at beleaguered law firm Halliwells.

The Manchester-based top 50 firm filed court papers on Thursday giving notice that it intended to appoint an administrator.

Senior partners are now in talks about transfering the entire business to rival Hill Dickinson.

A spokesman for the SRA said: “We are in touch with the firm and we’re monitoring the situation. our focus is solely the interests of the clients. Our job is to make sure that whatever happens the interests of the clients are looked after.”

He added: “Our interest is to make sure that if clients find themselves without legal representation because of what’s happened they will be looked after in terms of getting files back or any money back. This is not an intervention situation and we hope it will not become one.”

Halliwells employs around 700 staff at offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and London.