SRA intervene at Knowles Benning

On the 19th December 2022, the SRA intervened at Knowles Benning. This brings to an end the history of the long-established Dunstable firm. Knowles Benning was acquired earlier in the year by the Metamorph Law Group and it is the collapse of Metamorph that has precipitated the intervention. There is no suggestion that any of the former partners or staff at Knowles Benning had done anything wrong.

A series of events outside of the control of the Knowles Benning team appear to have caused the sad demise of the firm. The story started in June 2022 when Knowles Benning became part of the Metamorph Law Group. This acquisition encompassed all their offices in Shefford, Luton and Dunstable in Bedfordshire.

In October 2022, it was reported in the Law Society Gazette that HMRC had applied for a winding-up petition against the Metamorph Law Group, having been owed £942,000. It also transpired that Beaumont ABS Ltd (another company within the group) owed £600,000 to Barclays Bank plc and more than £300,000 to various estate agents.

Subsequent to HMRC’s winding up petition, the SRA has implemented a series of interventions in various firms in the Metamorph Group. The SRA intervenes where it perceives there may be a risk to clients and their property. Messrs Gordons of Bradford is acting as the intervention agent and many of the files have been taken under their direct control.

If your family law firm was Knowles Benning, then your wills, LPAs etc, will no longer be at Knowles Benning. Heald Solicitors are pleased to have offered jobs to two senior members of staff from the wills and probate department of Knowles Benning and consequently can assist you with any legal questions relating to your wills, LPAs or trusts. The intervention agent can be contacted at [email protected] with further details on the website www.sra.org.uk.

Alternatively, if you need assistance or further information Heald Solicitors will be happy to assist you - please call 01908-662277.