Finding out that your solicitor firm has closed can be unsettling, particularly if you are part-way through a personal injury or medical negligence claim. You may have received a letter you did not expect, or simply found that nobody is answering the phone. Naturally, you will want to know what happens to your case and who will look after it now.
The most important thing to know is this: your claim does not automatically end because your solicitor has closed, and in most cases you are free to choose the solicitor who takes it on. You do not have to accept the first firm that contacts you.
Why do solicitor firms close?
Firms close for many reasons. Some merge or retire. Others run into financial or regulatory difficulty, and in some cases the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) steps in and closes the firm itself. This is known as an intervention.
When the SRA intervenes, it appoints an intervention agent, usually another law firm, to collect and secure client files and money. The intervention agent’s job is to protect your documents. It is not there to carry on running your claim, so you will need to instruct a new solicitor for your case to continue.
Your claim doesn’t have to stop
A closure is disruptive, but it rarely means the end of a claim. Your evidence, medical records and correspondence still exist, and a new solicitor can usually pick up where things were left.
What matters most at this stage is establishing three things:
- Who holds your file. This could be the intervention agent, the SRA’s archive, or a firm that has bought or taken over the closed practice.
- What stage your claim has reached. Has it been sent to the other side? Have court proceedings been issued? Is there an offer on the table?
- Whether any deadlines are close. Most personal injury claims must be started within three years, and court timetables continue to run even when a firm has closed.
Taking advice early helps you avoid delays and protects your position.
You can choose a solicitor you feel comfortable with
Sometimes files from a closed firm are passed in bulk to another firm, and clients receive a letter saying their case has been moved. That can feel as though the decision has already been made for you. In most situations it has not.
You are generally free to instruct any solicitor you wish, subject to the circumstances of your case and any funding or contractual arrangements already in place. If you are asked to sign a new agreement, take the time to understand it first, and ask questions if anything is unclear.
The right solicitor for you is one who understands your type of claim, explains things plainly and keeps you informed. After the stress of a firm closing, being able to reach the person handling your case matters more than ever.
How we can help: taking over your claim
At Marley Solicitors we can look at taking over claims from firms that have closed. We act in personal injury, serious injury, accidents at work, road traffic accidents, slips and trips, medical negligence, wills & probate and housing disrepair claims.
When you contact us, we will:
- Listen to what has happened and find out where your claim currently stands.
- Help you work out who holds your file and request it on your behalf if we agree to act.
- Check for any urgent deadlines.
- Review any existing funding agreement and explain plainly what it means for you.
- Tell you honestly whether we are able to take your claim on.
Every claim is different, so we need to understand the type of case, the stage it has reached and the arrangements already in place before we can confirm that we can act. Where we can, we work on a no win, no fee basis, and we set out any success fee in writing before you sign anything.
We are a small firm by design. If we take on your case, it will be handled by a named member of our team under solicitor supervision, so you always know who to call.
What should you do next?
If your solicitor firm has closed, these practical steps will help:
- Find out what has happened to your file. Check any letters or emails you have received for the name of the firm or intervention agent now holding your documents.
- Gather what you have at home. Copies of letters, medical reports, photographs and receipts can help a new solicitor get moving before the full file arrives.
- Check for upcoming deadlines. Court dates, limitation periods and other time limits may still apply.
- Review your existing agreement. Look at any paperwork about legal fees, funding or insurance.
- Speak to a solicitor you trust. Get advice on your options before signing anything new.
You do not have to deal with this on your own.
Contact Marley Solicitors to discuss your claim
If your solicitor firm has closed and you need someone to continue your claim, we would be happy to hear from you. Call us on 01772 282600 or request a call back. We will look at your claim, explain your options and let you know whether we can act as your new solicitor.
Your claim may still have a clear way forward, and we are here to help you find it.
Please note: whether a new solicitor can take over your claim depends on the circumstances of your case, any existing agreements and applicable legal requirements. This article provides general information and is not a substitute for individual legal advice.