What is an intervention?
The power to close down firms of solicitors in certain circumstances is given to the Solicitors Regulation Authority by Parliament. The process is referred to as an intervention. Following an intervention the Solicitors Regulation Authority takes possession of all papers and money held by the firm and appoints another firm of solicitors to act as its Agent in order to do this.
Who we are
We are appointed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority from time to time to act as the Society's Agent in relation to interventions into firms of solicitors. In such situations, we take possession of all papers and monies held by the firm on behalf of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
What this means for you
If you are a client of an intervened firm, you should be aware that the firm is no longer able to act for you. Please note that it is not our role to continue the practice of the intervened firm, nor to act on behalf of the firm's clients in relation to existing matters.
Your file may require further or continued attention. For example, there may be ongoing legal work on the file and/or important documents that should be distributed to you. In these cases it is very important that you instruct a new firm of solicitors to represent you. You are free to choose whichever solicitor you like. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section 1 for further information on how to find a solicitor.
If your former firm of solicitors held Deeds for your property, you will need to make alternative arrangements for their safekeeping. You may feel that this is an appropriate time to have your Deeds reviewed, in which case you must appoint a new firm of solicitors to assist you. You should note that if you have any existing lending on the property, you must contact the lender in order to come to an agreement about which firm of solicitors your file should be sent to. Please refer to our FAQ section 2 and section 3 for further information by clicking on the links.
If your former firm of solicitors held a Will for you, you will similarly need to make alternative arrangements for its safekeeping and may feel it is appropriate to have your Will reviewed. Again, please refer to our FAQ section 3 for further information by clicking on the link.
What you need to do now
If you require your file to be released to you or transferred to your new solicitor, we will need the written consent of each of the clients on whose behalf the firm was acting in relation to the matter. Please refer to the FAQ section 4 for further information on who is required to sign an authority. To assist you, a standard authority form can be accessed by clicking on the link. You will need to complete this form and send it to us before we may release your file in accordance with your wishes. A Deeds authority form and Will authority form can also be accessed using these links.
Limitation dates on ongoing files
If your matter is ongoing, it is important that you contact us with instructions as to where you would like your file sent as soon as possible. It may be that there are important time limits which are applicable to your file. For instance, the effect of not instituting legal proceedings or taking such action as may be appropriate before the relevant limitation date passes is that usually you are barred from proceeding after that date.
The class of legal matters that are subject to limitation dates is very wide and the time limits that apply in any particular case vary considerably. To ensure that your position is not prejudiced, it is imperative that you instruct a new solicitor as a matter of urgency.
Money and the intervened firm
The Solicitors Regulation Authority takes possession of all monies held by intervened firms. On behalf of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we are responsible for examining the intervened firm's accounting records to determine how much money is held on behalf of each client.
If you believe the intervened firm was holding monies to which you are entitled and if you require those monies urgently, please contact us via post, telephone or email. Please note that an urgent need for funds usually only arises in instances where client prejudice will occur if funds are not immediately made available.
Subject to instructions from the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we will, if it is possible to do so, attempt to distribute monies to those former clients who are entitled. Unfortunately in some cases that is not possible, for example, if the intervened firm's accounting records are inadequate or incomplete. In these circumstances, any monies held by us are sent to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, in which case you would need to contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority's Compensation Fund at the following address:
Postal address:
Solicitors Regulation Authority
Compensation Fund
Ipsley Court
Berrington Close
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 0TD
DX address: DX 19114 Redditch
Tel: 01926 487 015
Fax: 01926 487 062