A grieving daughter has been left in financial limbo, unable to access her late father's estate after the solicitors' firm handling the probate application suddenly ceased trading.
A Legacy Locked Away
The reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, explained that her father died in July under harrowing circumstances. The probate application was being finalised by her solicitors, Samuel Phillips Law. However, earlier this month, she received an email stating the firm had stopped trading without any explanation.
She instructed new solicitors, but her entire case file remained with Samuel Phillips, which was no longer answering calls or emails. As a self-employed individual who had to stop work to care for her dying father, she was left with no money. She could not access her father's legacy or even confirm if the estate was below the inheritance tax threshold because the firm was effectively holding her files hostage.
Regulator Steps In After Investigation
The new solicitors advised that a complaint to the regulator could take months to resolve, deepening her sense of hopelessness. An investigation into the situation revealed that Samuel Phillips Law, along with a sister firm called Hathaways, was shut down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
The SRA stated it had "reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Sufe Miah" in connection with his practice and acted to protect clients. Staff and trainees at both firms lost their jobs without warning.
Once the SRA was alerted to this specific case, matters moved swiftly. The stand-in agent appointed by the regulator contacted the daughter immediately and provided her with electronic copies of her files. The SRA confirmed it will hold paperwork from closed cases in its archive and disburse any funds retrieved from client accounts.
What Other Affected Clients Should Do
The SRA has appointed John Owen of Gordons LLP in Bradford as the agent to deal with the fallout from the closure of Samuel Phillips Law and Hathaways. Other clients affected by this sudden closure are urged to contact the agent directly for assistance.
This distressing case highlights the vulnerability of clients when a legal firm collapses. While swift action was eventually taken, it underscores the importance of regulatory oversight and the severe personal impact such professional failures can have, particularly on those already dealing with grief and financial strain.
