In February 2026, the Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed that it had intervened into PM Law Limited and associated firms. This means the firm has closed and its files and client funds have been secured by intervention agents.
If PM Law handled your conveyancing matter, you may be concerned about what happens next. This is particularly important if your property purchase or sale has already completed but post-completion work remains outstanding.
This article explains what intervention means and what steps you may need to take to protect your position.
What Does SRA Intervention Mean?
When the SRA intervenes into a law firm, it closes the firm and takes control of client files and money to protect the public. It’s not something that happens often, but when it does, it can leave clients feeling uncertain about their legal matters.
Intervention agents: in this case, Gordons LLP: secure documentation and funds. However, they do not continue with ongoing legal work. If your conveyancing matter is incomplete, you will usually need to appoint a new solicitor to progress it.
The intervention agents will prioritise clients with urgent or imminent matters and will attempt to contact them directly. In exceptional circumstances where time is extremely limited, they may even be able to act on your behalf on an emergency basis. But for most clients, the next step is finding a new conveyancing lawyer to take over.
My Property Purchase Completed. Is That Not The End?
Here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Completion is a key milestone: you’ve got the keys, you’ve moved in, champagne’s been popped: but it’s not actually the end of the legal process.
After completion, several formal steps must be taken. These commonly include:
- Registering your ownership at HM Land Registry – This makes you the official legal owner on public record
- Registering your mortgage lender’s charge – This protects your lender’s interest in the property
- Serving notice on a freeholder or managing agent in leasehold matters – This lets them know there’s a new owner
- Submitting any required SDLT return – That’s Stamp Duty Land Tax, which needs to be declared to HMRC
If these steps were not finalised before PM Law closed, they still need to be completed. And if they’re not done properly, you could face complications down the line when you try to remortgage or sell.
How Can I Check If My Property Is Registered?
Good news: this bit’s straightforward. You can obtain a copy of your title register from HM Land Registry for just a few pounds. This document will show the current registered owner and any lender’s charge.
If your name does not appear as the registered proprietor, or your lender’s charge is missing, post-completion work may still be outstanding. You can access this through the Land Registry’s online portal.
If you’re unsure how to interpret the register (it can look a bit technical), a conveyancing solicitor can review it for you and explain exactly where things stand.
What Should I Do Now?
If PM Law acted for you and you’re uncertain about the status of your matter, here’s your action plan:
- Gather any documents you have, including your completion statement, contracts, search reports, and any email correspondence
- Obtain a copy of your title register if possible (as explained above)
- Consider instructing a new solicitor to review the position
A new firm can assess what remains outstanding and complete the required steps. Don’t panic if you don’t have your full file: in many cases, your completion statement and key correspondence are sufficient to begin reviewing your matter.
Different Situations Require Different Actions
If your case had not exchanged contracts yet:
In most cases, no money or only a small amount will have been paid. Contact a new conveyancing lawyer with your existing documents. If you know which search company was used, contact them directly: they may provide your new lawyer with searches already paid for, which can save you time and money.
If you’d exchanged contracts and paid a deposit:
This requires a bit more patience while the SRA traces funds through Gordons LLP, which could take considerable time. You’ll still need to appoint a new conveyancing lawyer to progress the matter, but there may be a delay while your deposit is accounted for.
If someone else in your chain used PM Law:
That person may need time to appoint a new lawyer, which could affect your timeline. The good news is that other conveyancers in the chain may help by sharing information they’ve already received. Everyone involved may need to be patient while the SRA traces any funds.
When Should I Act?
In most cases, this should be addressed promptly. If your lender’s charge has not been registered, this may cause difficulties in the future, particularly if you wish to remortgage or sell. Land Registry applications also have deadlines: if registration with HMLR is pending, you’ll need to instruct a new lawyer and ensure contact details on the application are updated.
HMLR commonly raises queries on applications, so it’s important to maintain access to legal advice throughout this period.
Taking early advice can prevent complications later. Think of it like going to the dentist: the longer you leave it, the more painful (and expensive) it becomes.
Contacting Gordons LLP
Gordons LLP is the SRA-appointed intervention agent handling PM Law’s closure. They will:
- Help you access your paperwork
- Determine what happened to any money you paid
- Decide whether funds can be refunded or paid to their original purpose
Client funds are held in the SRA’s statutory trust while ownership is determined. The SRA provides guidance on this process, though it can take time to resolve individual cases.
If money is owed to you (such as for searches or other disbursements), you can make a claim through the SRA. However, this process will take time. If you can afford it, it’s often quicker to proceed with finding a new lawyer rather than waiting for funds to be returned.
How Judge Law Can Assist
We regularly assist clients whose original solicitor is no longer able to complete their conveyancing matter. We understand how stressful this situation can be: you’ve already been through the hard part of buying or selling a property, and now you’re dealing with unexpected complications through no fault of your own.
If your post-completion work remains outstanding following the closure of PM Law, we can help bring your matter to a proper conclusion. Our post-completion conveyancing support service is designed specifically for situations like this, where you need an experienced team to step in and tie up loose ends.
We’ll review your documentation, liaise with the intervention agents if necessary, and complete any outstanding registration or administrative work. Our goal is to give you peace of mind that your property ownership is properly registered and protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my full file to instruct a new solicitor?
Not necessarily. In many cases, your completion statement and key correspondence are sufficient to begin reviewing your matter. Your new solicitor can also obtain certain documents directly from the Land Registry or other sources.
What happens to money held by PM Law?
Client funds are held in the SRA’s statutory trust while ownership is determined. The SRA provides guidance on this process, and Gordons LLP will work to trace and return client money where appropriate.
Will this delay affect my ownership?
If completion has taken place, you may already have equitable ownership (meaning you have rights to the property). However, formal registration must still be completed to give you full legal ownership and protection.
Can a new solicitor contact the intervention agents?
Yes. A newly instructed firm can liaise with intervention agents where necessary to obtain files and information about your matter.
How long will this take to resolve?
It varies depending on your specific circumstances. Simple post-completion registration might be sorted within a few weeks, while cases involving tracing client funds could take several months.
Am I at risk of losing my property?
If you’ve completed your purchase and have the keys, you’re unlikely to lose the property. However, you do need to ensure proper registration is completed to protect your legal position fully.
If you’re affected by the PM Law closure and need help with your conveyancing matter, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you get things back on track.
