Personal Legal Help if Your Solicitor Has Closed
If your solicitor has closed or stopped acting, you may be worried about what happens next.
You are not alone-and in most cases your matter can be transferred safely and quickly to a new firm with minimal disruption.
At Bonallack & Bishop, a medium-sized law firm with 4 offices in Wiltshire and Hampshire, we can step in to help clients continue their legal work when another firm is no longer able to act. We provide clear, practical advice and act quickly to protect your position.
What happens if a solicitor closes?
When a law firm shuts down or stops trading, there are usually two possibilities:
• The firm has closed voluntarily
• The regulator has intervened to protect clients
In England and Wales, the regulator is the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). If the SRA intervenes:
• Client files are taken into safe custody
• Money held in client account is protected
• An “intervention agent” may be appointed to manage files
Even if there is disruption, your legal matter does not simply disappear. You will normally be able to instruct a new solicitor to take over.
My Law Firm Has Shut Down – how our solicitors help you move your case
We make the process as simple and fast as possible.
Step 1 – Initial discussion
• We listen to your situation
• We identify urgency (deadlines, court dates, transactions)
• We advise on immediate next steps
Step 2 – Contacting file holders
• We help identify where your file is held
• We contact the SRA or intervention agent if needed
• We arrange transfer of your papers
Step 3 – Taking over your matter
• We review your file quickly
• We confirm the status of your case
• We continue work with minimal delay
Step 4 – Protecting your position
• We ensure deadlines are met
• We communicate with the other side
• We keep your matter moving forward
What types of cases can be transferred?
Our solicitors can take over most ongoing legal matters, including:
• Residential conveyancing (buying or selling property)
• Wills, probate and estate administration (we are happy to store your will not secure storage, even if we did not drafted, and there is no charge)
• Trust creation and administration, along with family wealth and inheritance tax planning
• Family law matters (including divorce and finances, children matters and family mediation)
• Litigation and dispute resolution – including inheritance claims and property disputes
• Personal injury and medical negligence claims
• Employment law
• Landlord and tenant work, including evictions – for landlords only
If your matter is unusual, we will tell you quickly whether we can assist, and if not suggest someone who can.
My Law Firm Has Shut Down. Will this delay my case?
Not necessarily. In many situations:
• Files can be obtained quickly
• Work can resume within days
• Delays can be minimised with prompt action
The key is acting early-the sooner you contact a new solicitor, the more control you retain.
What about money already paid?
This depends on the circumstances:
• If money was held in a client account, it is usually protected
• The SRA may arrange return of funds
• You may have rights to claim through compensation arrangements
We can guide you on the practical steps based on your situation.
Why choose Bonallack & Bishop?
• Established regional law firm with around 80 staff
• 4 offices in Wiltshire and Hampshire – Salisbury, Amesbury, Andover and Fordingbridge
• Experienced across a wide range of legal work
• Used to stepping into ongoing matters and acting quickly
• Clear, plain English advice at every stage
We understand that this situation can be stressful. Our approach is straightforward: protect your position, reduce delay, and move your matter forward.
Urgent help available
If your solicitor has closed or you cannot contact them:
• Do not wait
• Do not assume your case is on hold
• Take action now to protect your position
Call us today or request a callback and we will guide you through the next steps.
My law firm has shut down – frequently asked questions
What should I do first if my solicitor has closed?
Contact a new solicitor as soon as possible. They can advise on urgency, help locate your file, and ensure deadlines are not missed.
My solicitor has closed down. Where are my documents?
If your solicitor has closed down, your documents, including any will store with that solicitor, should normally still be protected. They do not simply disappear.
If the firm closed voluntarily, your file may have been transferred to another firm or placed into storage. If the Solicitors Regulation Authority intervened in the firm, client files are usually taken into safe custody and an intervention agent may be appointed to deal with urgent file requests.
You should first check any notice you received from the firm, the SRA, or an intervention agent. A new solicitor can also help you locate the file, request its release, and take over your matter if urgent action is needed.
Can I choose any new solicitor?
Yes. You are free to instruct a solicitor of your choice to take over your matter.
Will I have to start my case again?
Usually no. Most cases can continue from where they left off once your file is transferred.
How long does it take to transfer a case?
It varies, but urgent matters can often be progressed within a few days once contact is made and authority is given.
What if I cannot access my documents?
Your new solicitor can help obtain them from the SRA or the intervention agent handling the closed firm’s files.