You Give Conveyancing a Bad Name : Practical Advice for Clients affected by the PM Law Group Collapse

On Monday morning, hundreds of employees across Yorkshire, Cumbria and beyond woke up to find their careers in tatters. Some discovered they were out of work only when they tried to log into their systems. Others arrived at the office as normal, only to be told to clear their desks, hand in their keys and leave the building immediately. There were no warnings, no explanations and no answers.

The PM Law Group, a Sheffield based legal services conglomerate comprising more than 20 firms and employing over 600 people, had ceased trading overnight. Signs appeared on office doors across the country bearing a stark message: due to regulatory matters, the businesses could no longer trade.

For the conveyancing industry, already battling a reputation for delays, poor communication and labyrinthine processes, the timing could not have been worse.

A Sector Under Scrutiny

Conveyancing has long been the unglamorous workhorse of the legal profession. It is the process that makes home ownership possible, the mechanism by which dreams of new beginnings become reality. Yet it is also the source of endless frustration for buyers and sellers alike, a byword for inexplicable delays and unanswered telephone calls.

The collapse of PM Law Group threatens to reinforce every negative stereotype. Here was a group that had grown rapidly through acquisition, bringing independent high street firms under a centralised umbrella. The model promised efficiency and scale. What it delivered, at least in its final hours, was chaos.

Clients in the middle of property transactions now find themselves in an impossible position. Some have exchanged contracts and face completion deadlines they cannot meet. Others have sent funds to the firm and have no idea where their money now sits. There are reports of buyers potentially facing two mortgages simultaneously, of sellers receiving notices to complete that they cannot honour, of entire property chains collapsing because one link has simply vanished.

The Human Cost

Behind every statistic is a human story. Marie Latimer, one of countless affected clients, learned of the closure through her mortgage broker before seeing it confirmed across social media. Nobody from the firm contacted her. The telephone lines were dead. She is trying not to think about what happens next.

But the clients are not the only victims. The employees of PM Law Group and its constituent firms have been left devastated. One trainee solicitor described waking up to discover the firm was no more, writing that she and her colleagues were simply left in tears with no answers to their many questions. She called for a swift and serious investigation to provide accountability.

A former worker at Proddow Mackay, one of the group’s Sheffield based firms, emphasised that what had happened was completely out of the control of the individual practice. They described their firm as the best they had ever worked for and expressed sadness that their team might be disbanded through no choice of their own.

This is the cruel irony of the accumulator model. Local firms that had served their communities for years, that had built reputations for quality and care, have been swept away by decisions made far above their heads. Branch managers were instructed on Sunday evening to put closure notices on doors, then faced the impossible task of explaining to staff what had happened without understanding it themselves.

The worst aspect, several employees have confirmed, is that the systems containing client contact details were shut down. Even those who wanted to help their clients had no means of reaching them.

Speculation and Silence

At this point, speculation is rife but facts are scarce. The notices on the doors cite regulatory matters, but nobody has explained what those matters are. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has confirmed that the firm did not close in the manner they would expect, but has stopped short of formal intervention. The five directors listed at Companies House have not issued any public statement. The group’s websites are down. The telephone lines are silent.

There are whispers about financial difficulties. The group’s accounts show it owed more than three million pounds to creditors as of October 2024. An associated company owed substantial sums to HM Revenue and Customs. The group had no cash reserves. However, whispers are not facts, and until those facts emerge, all anyone can do is wait.

The legal press has drawn comparisons with other accumulator firm collapses, notably Metamorph and Axiom Ince, both of which presented the regulator with enormous difficulties. These were firms that grew rapidly by acquiring smaller practices, creating complex corporate structures that proved difficult to untangle when things went wrong. The pattern feels familiar.

A Profession Rallying

If there is a silver lining to this week’s events, it is the response of the wider legal community. Within hours of the news breaking, LinkedIn was flooded with law firms across the country offering positions to displaced staff. Competitors who might ordinarily view each other warily have put rivalry aside to extend a hand of support. Recruitment posts have multiplied, with firms in Yorkshire, Cumbria, the East Midlands and beyond all highlighting vacancies.

This solidarity matters. The employees of PM Law Group did not cause this collapse. Many of them had built careers over years, if not decades, serving their clients with dedication. They deserve the opportunity to continue doing so elsewhere.

For clients, the path forward is less clear. The SRA advises waiting for contact from the firm, though given that the firm’s systems are down, such contact seems unlikely. Even so, and importantly, clients do not need to sit in uncertainty. Practical steps taken now can reduce delay, protect money, and preserve your position in any ongoing matter.

If you were a client of PM Law Group or any of its associated firms, including Butterworths Solicitors, Proddow Mackay, PM Property Lawyers, GN Law, Gaines and Wilkinson, John M Lewis and Co, Valerie Holmes Law, Wilsons Solicitors, WB Pennine Solicitors, Barrett and Co, or any other firm in the group, the guidance below sets out what to do next.

Immediate Steps for All Affected Clients

Do not panic. Although the situation is deeply concerning, there are protections in place for clients of regulated solicitors in England and Wales. The Solicitors Regulation Authority oversees these protections and will be working to ensure client interests are safeguarded.

Collect and keep safe any documents you have relating to your legal matter, including:

• copies of correspondence with the firm, such as emails and letters
• any contracts or agreements you signed
• receipts or proof of payments made to the firm
• bank statements showing transfers to the firm
• your original instructions or engagement letter
• any title deeds or documents in your possession

These documents will be invaluable when you instruct a new solicitor or if you need to make a claim.

Contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The SRA is the regulator for solicitors in England and Wales. They are aware of the closure and are investigating.

SRA contact details
Website: www.sra.org.uk
Telephone: 0370 606 2555
Email: contactcentre@sra.org.uk

The SRA can provide guidance on the current status of the closure, whether an intervention has taken place, how to retrieve your files and documents, and how to recover any money held by the firm.

Check the SRA website regularly. The SRA will publish updates about the closure on their website. Look for information about any intervention, details of any appointed intervention agent, and guidance specific to affected clients.

If You Are in the Middle of a Property Transaction

Buying a property. 

If you have exchanged contracts but not yet completed:

1. Contact your mortgage lender immediately. Explain the situation and ask them to hold the mortgage funds. They may be able to extend the validity of your mortgage offer.
2. Contact the estate agent. Make them aware of the situation so they can inform the seller and their solicitor.
3. Instruct a new solicitor urgently. Ask the new solicitor to contact the other side, explain the delay, and negotiate an extension to the completion date if necessary.
4. Check your position on any deposit paid. If you paid a deposit to the firm, you will need to establish where those funds are. Your new solicitor can help trace this.
5. Do not assume you are in breach of contract. While delays may technically constitute breach, the circumstances are exceptional. Most sellers and their solicitors will be understanding, and clear communication is essential.

Selling a property. 

If you have exchanged contracts but not yet completed:

1. Contact your buyer’s solicitor directly, if you have their details, to explain the situation.
2. Contact the estate agent, who can help facilitate communication with the buyer.
3. Instruct a new solicitor urgently so they can take over the file and complete the transaction.
4. If you have a related purchase, inform those parties of the delay as well.

If completion was imminent. 

If you were due to complete within the next few days:

1. Act immediately, because time is critical. Contact another solicitor today and explain the urgency.
2. Ask the new solicitor to contact the SRA to request priority access to your file.
3. Contact your mortgage lender to explain the situation and request an extension if needed.
4. Document everything. Keep records of all calls, emails and steps you take, because this may be important if disputes arise later.

If the firm was holding your deposit, sale proceeds, or other funds:

1. Do not assume the money is lost. Solicitors are required to hold client money in separate client accounts, protected from the firm’s own finances.
2. Contact the SRA to ask about the status of client funds.
3. If the SRA intervenes, they will take control of client accounts and work to return funds to their rightful owners. This process can take weeks or months.
4. Keep records of all payments you made to the firm.

If You Have an Ongoing Legal Matter That Is Not Property

Probate and wills. If the firm was administering an estate or holding your will:

1. Instruct a new solicitor to take over the matter.
2. Contact the SRA to request the release of your file to your new solicitor.
3. If a will is held by the firm, ask the SRA or any appointed intervention agent how to retrieve it.

Litigation or disputes. If you have an ongoing court case or dispute:

1. Check any court deadlines, because missing a deadline could seriously harm your case.
2. Instruct a new solicitor immediately and ask them to notify the court of the change of representation.
3. If a deadline is imminent, your new solicitor may need to apply to the court for an extension, explaining the circumstances.

Personal injury claims

1. Instruct a new solicitor who specialises in personal injury work.
2. Check any limitation periods. Personal injury claims generally must be brought within three years of the incident, and if your deadline is approaching you should act urgently.
3. Your new solicitor can obtain your file from the SRA or intervention agent.

How to Find a New Solicitor. Where to look:

• The Law Society Find a Solicitor service: www.lawsociety.org.uk/find-a-solicitor
• personal recommendations from friends, family or colleagues
• local firms in your area that can provide face to face service
• online reviews, although treat these with appropriate caution

What to ask

When contacting a new solicitor, ask:

1. Do you have capacity to take on my matter urgently?
2. What are your fees?
3. Can you help me retrieve my file from my previous solicitor?
4. Do you have experience with this type of work?

Transferring your file. Your new solicitor will send a letter of authority to the SRA or any appointed intervention agent requesting release of your file. This is a standard process and should not incur significant cost.

Money You May Be Owed

If the firm held your funds. Client money held by solicitors is protected and should be held in a separate client account, not mixed with the firm’s own money. If the SRA intervenes:

1. The SRA will take control of client accounts.
2. They will identify funds belonging to each client.
3. They will arrange for funds to be returned.

This process can take time, sometimes several months, but the money should ultimately be returned to you.

The SRA Compensation Fund. If money has been stolen or cannot be accounted for, you may be able to claim from the SRA Compensation Fund. The Fund can make payments where a solicitor has stolen money or failed to account for it, or where a loss should have been covered by insurance but the firm had no insurance.

Important: the Compensation Fund is discretionary. There is no automatic right to payment. You must apply and meet certain criteria.

How to apply

1. Check eligibility at www.sra.org.uk/consumers/compensation-fund
2. Complete the application form
3. Provide evidence of your loss
4. Submit within 12 months of becoming aware of your loss

What is not covered:

• indirect or consequential losses, for example loss of profit on a property sale that fell through
• losses caused by negligence, unless the firm had no insurance
• trading debts owed by the solicitor

If You Have Complaints

If you believe you received poor service or suffered loss due to negligence:

1. Keep records of all issues and communications.
2. Wait for clarity on the firm’s status before making formal complaints.
3. Consider the Legal Ombudsman for service complaints: www.legalombudsman.org.uk
4. Consider negligence claims against the firm’s professional indemnity insurers, and your new solicitor can advise.

If you have concerns about how the closure was handled:

1. Contact the SRA with specific concerns.
2. Provide evidence of any harm you have suffered.
3. The SRA will investigate potential breaches of professional conduct rules.

Protecting Yourself Going Forward

When instructing a new solicitor

1. Check they are regulated by searching the SRA Solicitors Register: www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/firm-based-authorisation/check-solicitor-or-firm
2. Ask about their complaints procedure.
3. Get clear information on fees in writing before instructing them.
4. Keep copies of all important documents yourself.

General good practice

• Always get written confirmation of any funds you transfer to a solicitor.
• Keep your own copies of all important documents.
• Maintain regular contact with your solicitor and ask for updates.
• If something feels wrong, ask questions.

Key Contacts
Solicitors Regulation Authority
Website: www.sra.org.uk
Telephone: 0370 606 2555

The Law Society Find a Solicitor
Website: www.lawsociety.org.uk/find-a-solicitor

Legal Ombudsman
Website: www.legalombudsman.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 555 0333

Citizens Advice
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

A Final Word

The closure has left many people in a difficult and stressful situation through no fault of their own. The legal profession and its regulators have mechanisms in place to protect clients when firms fail, but navigating these systems takes time and patience.

If you are affected, the most important steps are:

1. Gather your documents.
2. Contact the SRA for guidance.
3. Instruct a new solicitor as soon as possible, especially for urgent matters.
4. Keep records of everything.

What Happens Now

Until the facts emerge, there is little point in rushing to judgement. Perhaps there are explanations that will cast these events in a different light. Perhaps the regulatory matters cited on those closure notices will prove to be technical rather than catastrophic. Perhaps client funds are entirely safe and the transition to new representation will be smoother than anyone fears.

But perhaps not.

What is clear is that the conveyancing sector cannot afford many more weeks like this one. Public confidence in the home buying process is already fragile. Every story of a collapsed firm, every account of clients left in limbo, every tale of exchanged contracts that cannot complete chips away at that confidence further.

The vast majority of conveyancing solicitors are dedicated professionals who work hard to guide their clients through one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives. They deserve better than to be tarred by association with the failures of a few.

For now, the best response is practical: support displaced staff, and give clients clear routes to protect their interests. The speculation will continue until someone breaks the silence. The questions will multiply until someone provides answers. The damage to the reputation of conveyancing will deepen until someone demonstrates that lessons have been learned.

To the staff of PM Law Group, this was not your fault, and the profession stands ready to welcome you. To the clients left stranded, help is available, and you are not alone. Finally, to whoever is responsible for this debacle, the industry, the regulator and the public are waiting for an explanation.

It had better be a good one.

The above article and guidance is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation is different, and you should seek professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Information is correct as of 4 February 2026 but the situation may change, so check the SRA website for the latest updates.