PM Law Group did officially report its impending closure to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, it emerged yesterday, as concerns were raised over why the regulator took two days to intervene. 

Clients were left in limbo on Monday when hundreds of staff clocked in for work only to find doors locked and IT systems inaccessible. The SRA announced the intervention on Wednesday afternoon, following an earlier statement indicating that the closure had been disorderly. ‘We were acting at pace and we [intervened] as quickly as we could,’ SRA chief executive Sarah Rapson said. ‘We have to do this properly. We’ve handed it over to Gordons [the intervention agent] and we’ll get to the bottom of this as soon as we possibly can.’

A Law Society spokesperson said yesterday: ‘The SRA has provided information following the sudden closure of PM Law Ltd. We know that clients are facing an uncertain time. Initial information for clients is being provided by the SRA on its website. The Law Society has information available to support employees at the firm,  including from LawCare, our Practice Advice Service and the Solicitors’ Charity.’