| answer text |
<p>The legal profession in England and Wales operates independently of government.
The responsibility for regulating the sector sits with the approved regulators, overseen
by the Legal Services Board (LSB). The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible
for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors, as well as most law firms in
England and Wales. The SRA’s role involves protecting clients and the public.</p><p>The
SRA works closely with firms to ensure that consumers’ interests are protected. Their
website provides clear guidance for firms that are falling into administration and
warns that they will intervene if consumers’ interests are at risk:<a href="https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/closing-down-your-practice/"
target="_blank"> https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/closing-down-your-practice/.</a></p><p>The
SRA also provides guidance for consumers affected by their law firm’s closure: <a
href="https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/solicitor-closed-down/intervention/"
target="_blank">https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/solicitor-closed-down/intervention/</a>.</p><p>The
Legal Ombudsman (LeO) is also able to support consumers with concerns about law firms
who are no longer operational. Their website provides information with regards to
the different routes available for consumers depending on their personal circumstances
<a href="https://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/for-consumers/factsheets/complaining-about-closed-service-providers/"
target="_blank">https://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/for-consumers/factsheets/complaining-about-closed-service-providers/</a>.</p><p>Firms
that fall into administration have a duty to make former clients aware. Notably, there
are requirements in respect of the advertising and publication of an insolvency so
that creditors and other interested parties are made aware. Further detail on this
can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/technical-guidance-for-official-receivers/4-publication-of-insolvency-information"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/technical-guidance-for-official-receivers/4-publication-of-insolvency-information</a>.</p>
|
|
