PM Law Law Firm faces £39.5m fraud probe after closure

PM Law Ltd, a law firm with two bases in Barnsley, closed suddenly on February 2 and is now under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for suspected fraud involving around £39.5m of client funds. The regulator intervened after the closure and said former clients are still being helped with money and files.

Paul Hastings on PM Law

Paul Hastings, the SRA director of client protection, said the regulator is continuing to support former PM Law clients. He said: "We are continuing to do all we can to support former clients of PM Law, including by reuniting them with their money or files."

Hastings said some affected clients were in the process of buying or selling a home, with the risk of collapsed moves or losing deposits. He added that others were dealing with delayed probate matters while managing bereavement and outstanding estate administration.

Solicitors Regulation Authority

The SRA said its ongoing investigation involves a sophisticated suspected fraud and the improper removal and misuse of around £39.5m of client funds. It estimated that more than £21m in claims had already been made to its compensation fund to date.

PM Law had numerous officers across the country, and its Barnsley bases operated under the name WB Pennine Solicitors. The scale of the claims and the compensation-fund figure leave affected former clients waiting on the regulator’s next steps as it works through money and files tied to the collapsed firm.

Barnsley offices

Hastings said many former clients faced significant upheaval at a stressful time, and the regulator had been determined to provide as much support as possible. For people caught in a home move or a probate matter, the practical issue now is whether the SRA can return documents or funds quickly enough to limit further disruption.