HM Land Registry has intervened in the sudden closure of PM Law – telling former clients that land registration 'can be complex' and to appoint new solicitors as soon as possible.

Clients of PM Law, which handled conveyancing work, were left in limbo at the start of February when hundreds of staff turned up to work to find doors locked and IT systems inaccessible. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has since intervened into PM Law and its network of practices to protect client interests, and started to make emergency payments from the compensation fund.

In an announcement on Wednesday, HM Land Registry said it recognised the ‘unusual and unfortunate circumstances’ that many customers now find themselves in. ‘Land registration can be complex and we strongly recommend that any customers affected by the closure of PM Law and its affiliates appoint new legal representation as soon as possible to progress their applications,’ Land Registry said.

‘However, in cases where customers do not appear to have new legal representation yet, we will write directly to as many of them as possible about their applications (correspondence would normally go to their legal representative). We cannot guarantee we will be able to reach everyone due to the limited and variable nature of customer contact details provided to us by the firm, but we will do our utmost to reach as many as we can.’

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Land Registry is currently identifying all applications lodged by PM Law Group. Former clients can ask Land Registry to confirm if their application was uploaded by PM Law Group. If an application was submitted, Land Registry will either send completed documents directly to the former client if the organisation has their contact details. If there are no contact details, the documents will be sent to the SRA-appointed intervention agent, Gordons LLP.

Should Land Registry require more information about an application, the former client will be told what information is needed - but again, only if Land Registry has their contact details. 

‘Land registration rules can be complicated. If you are not sure what to do, we recommend you ask a new solicitor for help,’ Land Registry added.

Land Registry’s announcement includes links to the Law Society’s Find A Solicitor website and directions to the SRA’s website on how to reclaim money held by the regulator.

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