A Newcastle firm with a history going back more than 100 years has suddenly closed, staff have reported. Several employees at Samuel Phillips Law said at the end of last week that the firm had unexpectedly closed as of Thursday evening.
It is understood that the Solicitors Regulation Authority is aware of the firm’s closure. The Gazette has tried to contact the firm but nobody was answering the phone today.
Requests have been made through Linkedin to find alternative providers for Samuel Phillips Law trainee solicitors whose training contracts have been ended prematurely. Three apprentices who were working for the firm are understood to need a employer to complete their training.
One paralegal, who was due to begin her training contract in the new year, said she is now actively seeking new opportunities and added: ‘This has been heartbreaking news for all of us.’
Sharon Boyd, chief executive of Samuel Phillips Law from 2017 to 2024, wrote on Saturday: ‘It’s been an incredibly difficult 24 hours as the news has broken about the sudden closure of a highly respected Newcastle law firm. Many of my former colleagues, hugely talented, committed and genuinely good people, now find themselves unexpectedly looking for new opportunities just before Christmas. It’s incredibly upsetting and stressful for all involved, many of them at the start of their legal career.’
Several law firms in the north east have come forward with offers to help those affected.
Samuel Phillip Law was established by its eponymous owner in 1919. It built up a range of specialisms including family law, employment law, litigation & dispute resolution, residential conveyancing, commercial property and wills, probate & trusts. In 2023, the firm had expanded into Wearside with the opening of a new office in Sunderland.
5 Readers' comments