The family law firm founded by former justice minister Helen Grant has closed, it has been announced.

Grants Solicitors was set up in 1996 in Croydon as a specialist firm dealing with the problems of family breakdown, and domestic violence in particular. It has dealt with more than 15,000 clients and cases were funded in part through legal aid.

Grant, who left the Ministry of Justice in September 2013 to become minister for sport, tourism & equalities, ceased to practise at the firm in September 2012, handing the management over to her husband Simon.

In an announcement on its website, Grants Solicitors confirmed it closed on 20 December ‘as a result of changes in personal circumstances’.

The statement added: ‘We wish to reassure all clients and associated businesses that this closure has been carefully planned, that the firm remains financially sound and fully compliant with our regulatory procedures.

‘We are pleased to report that all of our staff have found suitable new employment and we have also found new homes for all active files as of the date of closure.

‘We are proud of the work we have carried out in Croydon, South London and Surrey over the past 17 years and wish to thank all of our clients for their custom over that period.’

According to reports last June, Grants was one of the biggest recipients of legal aid in the country and received £348,018 in the previous year. Companies House records show that Helen Grant was still one of the two designated members of the firm until at least April 2013.

Her register of members’ interests shows that she received £26,318 in drawings from the firm in 2011/12, but ceased to receive any share of the profits from September 2012.