Is a sudden closure always an SRA intervention?

No. Some closures follow insolvency processes (such as administration) or voluntary decisions. An SRA intervention is a specific regulatory process that typically appoints an intervention agent to hold files and deal with client money. If you are unsure, we can help you confirm the status and the safest next steps.

How do I get my file, deeds, will, or documents back?

You usually need to identify who is holding the papers (intervention agent, administrator, or file custodian) and provide authority and ID. If you instruct us, we prepare the authority documents and liaise with the relevant contact to request release, subject to their process.

What happens to money held in the closed firm’s client account?

It depends on the closure mechanism. In interventions, client money is typically frozen while records are reconciled and may require verification before release. In insolvency scenarios, administrators may control accounts. Keep records of what you paid and when; we can explain available routes and help you follow the correct process.

Can Gardner Champion take over my matter immediately?

We can often begin triage quickly, but taking over work depends on conflict checks, your instructions, and receiving enough information to act. File transfer times can also depend on the regulator/administrator process. We will be transparent about what we can do immediately and what is subject to third-party procedures.

Client advisory4 February 2026 · 10 min read

Client guidance

What Happens If Your Law Firm Suddenly Closes? A Guide for Clients

If your solicitor’s firm has closed or become unavailable, you’re not powerless. The priority is protecting deadlines, identifying who holds your file and any client money, and arranging a safe transfer to a new solicitor.

Call +44 333 034 4629 Request help

Article snapshot

Published: 4 February 2026
Category: Legal Industry Updates & Client Guidance
Source: SRA consumer notices

Recent reports of law firm closures have left many clients asking the same urgent questions: What happens to my case? Where are my documents? Is my money safe? If your solicitor’s firm has closed, entered an insolvency process, or is otherwise unavailable, there are practical steps you can take immediately — and you do not need to panic.

What it means if your law firm has closed

A closure can affect different matters in different ways, but there are common issues to plan for. In many situations, work will pause until you appoint a new solicitor and authority is provided to release documents and confirm who can act for you.

Deadlines usually continue: court timetables, completion dates, lender requirements, and limitation periods do not automatically pause.
Your file and deeds may be held by an intervention agent, an administrator/liquidator, a file custodian, or a successor practice.
Money held in a client account may be frozen while records are reconciled and authority is verified.
You may receive confusing communications at first — verify any new contact or payment details carefully.

How the SRA protects clients (and what an intervention means)

Not every closure is an SRA intervention. However, if the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) intervenes, the firm is stopped from continuing to act and an intervention agent is typically appointed to take control of files and deal with client money in line with the intervention process.

Client money is usually protected by formal procedures. Depending on the situation, funds may be reconciled and released via the intervention agent or the insolvency process. In some circumstances, the SRA Compensation Fund may provide help — but eligibility rules apply and it is not guaranteed. A solicitor can explain the relevant route and help you gather the right evidence.

Scam warning: verify any “new payment details”

Closures can trigger impersonation attempts. Only act on bank detail changes after verifying the contact using a trusted source (for example, an existing number on a previous letter, or official contact details published by a regulator or administrator).

Do not rely on email alone to change bank details.
If you are mid-transaction, ask your new solicitor to confirm completion funds and timelines.
Report suspicious messages to your bank immediately.

What clients should do immediately (checklist)

Gather key information: matter reference, key dates (completion/hearing/deadlines), and recent correspondence.
Write down any urgent deadlines in the next 7–14 days and tell your new solicitor immediately.
Do not make payments to unfamiliar bank details — verify any change using a trusted phone number.
Identify who holds the file (intervention agent, administrator, custodian, or successor practice) and what authority they require.
Instruct a new solicitor so they can run conflict checks, notify third parties, and begin the file-transfer process.
Keep a clear record of payments, dates, and documents in case you need to trace funds or make a claim.

If you have a deadline in the next 7–14 days

Treat this as urgent. Property completions, court timetables, limitation dates, and lender requirements do not pause automatically when a firm closes.

Tell your new solicitor your deadline first — they can triage the fastest protective step.
Notify key third parties (for example: the court, your lender, the other side’s solicitors, your agent) that your representatives are unavailable.
Do not delay while waiting for file transfer if urgent action is needed.

How Gardner Champion can help

Gardner Champion is an established, SRA-regulated firm. We act independently of any regulator, administrator, or appointed agent. If you instruct us, we can help you understand what is known, protect urgent deadlines, and take over legal work where appropriate — always subject to conflict checks, verification, and any procedures set by third parties.

Initial triage call at no cost to identify the safest next steps.
Authority letters and liaison with the file holder to request papers (subject to their process).
Urgent court or lender notifications where required.
Clear scope and pricing confirmation before any chargeable work begins.

Move forward with confidence

If your solicitor has closed or you’re unsure what happens next, our team can help you move forward with confidence.

Helpful links

Next steps & useful links

Start with the guide that fits your situation and route to the right specialist support.

Transferring your legal case after a closure

What to expect, what delays are normal, and how to get your file safely.

SRA intervention decision summaries

Independent summaries of published SRA interventions, with links to official notices.

Conveyancing

Urgent support for purchases, sales, and completion deadlines.

Litigation

Court deadlines, disputes, and urgent applications where rules allow.

Wills, Trust & Probate

Help recovering wills, probate files, and private client documents.

Send details of your deadline and we’ll triage the next step.

Common questions

Quick answers to common concerns raised by firm closures and related updates.

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Need urgent help?

Speak to an independent solicitor

Call +44 333 034 4629 or use our secure form. We can triage next steps, confirm what is known, and take over work where appropriate — subject to conflict checks and any regulator/administrator procedures.

Call +44 333 034 4629 Use the secure form