Sudden collapse of law firm 'could impact building projects'

The sudden closure of a major UK law firm is causing widespread disruption across the property market – with potential knock-on effects for building engineers working on property-linked projects.

PM Law Group ceased trading without notice in early February, prompting an immediate intervention by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to protect client funds and files. A list of PM Law Group's associated firms are below.

Although the closure is primarily a legal and conveyancing issue, professionals involved in property transactions are already feeling the impact. Residential surveys, site inspections, compliance reports and defect assessments that are usually commissioned during conveyancing may now be affected as many transactions are paused or delayed. Survey reports could expire before exchange or completion, and ongoing construction or property handovers may be postponed while new solicitors are appointed.

Building engineers may also experience knock-on effects as delays in legal completion disrupt project timelines. Work linked to handovers, certifications, or inspections that depend on legal transfer of property could be rescheduled or delayed. Similarly, clients may delay commissioning building engineering or surveying services while awaiting clarity on ownership or transaction progress.

The SRA’s intervention ensures that PM Law Group clients are being contacted by appointed agents to transfer ongoing matters, but building engineers and property professionals should monitor project timelines closely and be prepared to adjust schedules.

Kate Faulkner OBE, Managing Director of designsonproperty.co.uk and propertychecklists.co.uk, advises any affected clients to stay up to date here. The SRA is regularly updating its web pages here.

List of intervened into firms

3M Law Limited – 666500
Autonet Law LLP – 596704
Butterworths Solicitors LLP – 596684
Linkfield Claims Service Limited – 596707
PM Law (Specialist Claims) Limited – 631962
PM Law Limited - 421374
PM Property Lawyers Limited – 631945
Proddow Mackay (Conveyancing) Limited - 421372
Proddow Mackay Limited - 421368
Proddow Mackay Solicitors LLP - 464683
WB Pennine Solicitors LLP – 596683