In February 2026, the Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed intervention into firms within the Proddow Mackay group, including Proddow Mackay Limited. If this firm handled your conveyancing transaction, you’re probably wondering what on earth happens next, and whether your property purchase or sale is still on track.
The short answer? Your files and money are safe, but you’ll likely need to take some action to keep things moving. Let’s break down what intervention actually means and what you should do now.
What Happens To Client Files?
When the SRA intervenes into a law firm, it’s essentially stepping in to protect clients. The regulator immediately takes control of all client files, documents, and money held by the firm. In the case of Proddow Mackay, an intervention agent called Gordons LLP has been appointed to manage this process.
Here’s the thing, though: intervention agents don’t continue with ongoing legal work. Their job is to secure everything, work out what’s what, and help clients move forward, but they won’t be progressing your transaction for you. That means if your matter is still incomplete, you’ll need to appoint a new solicitor to pick up where Proddow Mackay left off.
Any money you paid to the firm, whether it’s your deposit, SDLT payment, or search fees, is now held in the SRA’s Statutory Trust Fund while they determine who it belongs to. Once that’s sorted, it’ll either be returned to you or used for its intended purpose (like completing your purchase).
What If My Matter Has Already Completed?
This is where things get a bit more complicated. You might think that once you’ve got the keys and moved in, the legal side is all done and dusted. Unfortunately, that’s not quite the case.
Completion is a massive milestone, but several formal steps still need to happen after that day. These include:
- Application to register your ownership at HM Land Registry
- Registration of your mortgage charge (if you have a lender)
- Leasehold compliance requirements like serving notice on the freeholder or managing agent
- Stamp Duty Land Tax returns (if applicable)
If Proddow Mackay closed before completing these tasks, they’re still outstanding, and they still need to be done. Until your ownership is officially registered, the public record won’t show you as the legal owner. That might not seem like a big deal now, but it can cause serious headaches down the line if you want to remortgage, sell, or make certain changes to the property.
What If I Haven’t Been Contacted?
Given the sheer volume of files involved in large interventions like this one, it might take weeks before the intervention agents get in touch with every single client. The process typically takes around eight weeks or longer, and they’re prioritizing the most urgent cases first.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to wait. You can instruct a new solicitor right away to review your documentation and work out what needs to happen next. In fact, if your property chain is at risk, your mortgage offer is about to expire, or you’re under pressure from estate agents or other parties in the chain, acting quickly could save your transaction.
Why Post Completion Registration Actually Matters
Let’s be honest, most people don’t think about Land Registry after they’ve moved in. But here’s why it matters:
If your ownership isn’t registered, you’re not the legal owner on paper. You might have what’s called “equitable ownership” (meaning you’ve paid for it and you’re living there), but the official record still shows the previous owner. That creates all sorts of potential problems:
- Selling becomes complicated because buyers’ solicitors will spot the issue immediately
- Remortgaging is nearly impossible without the legal title being correct
- Disputes over boundaries or rights become harder to resolve
- Your lender’s charge might not be registered, which could cause problems with them too
Getting this sorted sooner rather than later protects your legal position and avoids unnecessary stress when you least expect it.
Next Steps: What You Should Do Now
If Proddow Mackay acted for you in a conveyancing matter, here’s your action plan:
1. Gather your paperwork
Dig out your completion statement, any correspondence from Proddow Mackay, and details of what you paid. You don’t need a complete file to get started, your new solicitor can work with what you have.
2. Check your title register
You can order a copy of your property’s title register from HM Land Registry for a few pounds. This will show you who’s currently registered as the owner and whether any mortgage charges are recorded. If your name isn’t there, or your lender’s charge is missing, that’s a red flag that post-completion work is outstanding.
3. Instruct a new solicitor
Don’t wait for the intervention agents to contact you. A new firm can begin reviewing your matter immediately, liaise with the intervention agents where necessary, and complete any outstanding steps.
At Judge Law, we regularly assist clients whose original solicitor is no longer able to complete their conveyancing matter. If your post-completion work remains outstanding following the closure of Proddow Mackay, you can learn more about our Post Completion Conveyancing Support and how we can help bring your matter to a proper conclusion.
Understanding The Timeline
It’s worth knowing what to expect in terms of timing. The intervention agent needs to:
- Receive and organize potentially thousands of files
- Establish what work has already been completed in each case
- Reconstruct transaction histories where records are incomplete
- Prioritize cases based on urgency
- Contact clients and deal with queries
This all takes time, usually at least eight weeks, and sometimes longer for more complex matters. If your situation is time-sensitive, that’s another reason to act now rather than waiting.
What About Fees?
This is often the question on everyone’s mind. If you’ve already paid Proddow Mackay for work that hasn’t been completed, you’re understandably concerned about paying twice.
The reality is that fees for a new solicitor depend on what work is actually outstanding. If it’s just a straightforward Land Registry application, the cost should be relatively modest. If more substantive work is required, it’ll cost more.
A reputable firm will review your documentation, tell you exactly what needs doing, and provide a clear quotation before you commit. At Judge Law, we take a practical approach, we don’t want to duplicate work that’s already been done, and we’ll be upfront about what you can expect to pay.
For information about our broader conveyancing services, visit our Conveyancing hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the intervention agents finish my registration?
Generally, no. Their role is to secure files and funds, not to progress transactions. You’ll need to instruct a new solicitor to complete outstanding work.
Is there a deadline to register my property?
Applications should be made promptly. While there isn’t always a strict deadline, delays can create complications: especially if you need to deal with your property in the meantime.
Will I need to pay again for work that wasn’t completed?
Fees depend on the outstanding work required. A new solicitor will provide a quotation after reviewing your matter. In some cases, you may be able to recover costs through the SRA’s compensation fund if money has gone missing, though this is discretionary.
What happens to money I paid to Proddow Mackay?
Client funds are held in the SRA’s Statutory Trust Fund while ownership is determined. Once identified, funds will be returned to their rightful owners or applied toward their intended purpose.
How long will this take to sort out?
It depends on your specific circumstances. If you instruct a new solicitor quickly and your matter is straightforward, outstanding post-completion work can often be resolved within a few weeks. Waiting for the intervention process to conclude will take longer: typically eight weeks or more.
Final Thoughts
Having your solicitor’s firm close mid-transaction is stressful, there’s no getting around that. But the situation is manageable, and your interests are protected. The key is to act sooner rather than later: especially if any post-completion work is outstanding or your transaction is still in progress.
If you’re unsure about the status of your matter or what steps you need to take next, seeking advice from an experienced conveyancing solicitor is the best way forward. We’re here to help you get things back on track.
