SIF to shut Bristol office as speedy work reduces cases

The Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) is to close its Bristol office after a faster run-off of cases than expected .The office will close in August.

Over the next four weeks, a consultation held with the office's 34 staff will seek to find them alternative employment with the SIF's London office, or with Solicitors Professional Indemnity Ltd (SPIL), the Law Society's joint venture with St Paul International.Staff not accommodated will be offered redundancy.The decision to close the office comes because the run-off of cases following the disbandment of the SIF in 2000 - 37,000 cases notified in 1999-2000 - is being dealt with more quickly than anticipated.Of these cases, 33,000 have been closed - with 31,000 disposed of at no cost to the SIF.Paul Cusition, SPIL's managing director, said: 'I am pleased to say that there is sufficient run-off, based on current projections, to enable us to retain our existing staff in London for the time being, although some adjustments might be necessary as claims numbers reduce.'Jeremy Fleming