Yorkshire law firms forced to close
ELEVEN law firms in Yorkshire have been forced to close by The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for failing to secure public indemnity insurance (PII) on time.
The SRA has published the names of 136 firms and said it had taken the unusual step in doing so 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 11 firms in Yorkshire on the list are: Megsons Personal Injury in Bradford; CA Law in Doncaster; White Solicitors in Bingley; Leeds-based Vaughan & Co; Towells Solicitors; Richardson & Co Solicitors in Leeds; Rafiq Partnership Solicitors Co in Leeds; Lancasters in Bridlington; Leeds’ Kelly & Co; Guy & Hinton in York; and Devers & Co Solicitors in Leeds.
In a statement the SRA said the majority of the 136 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.
It added: “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.
