Published: 2nd December 2022
Area: SRA Intervention

What has happened to Rodgers & Burton, and David John Moore?

Rodgers & Burton of 50 Vineyard Path, Mortlake, London, SW14 8ET, and 20 Mortlake High Street, London, SW14 8JN has been closed down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (‘the SRA’). This is called an intervention. The intervention took place on 02 December 2022. Shakespeare Martineau of 1 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B4 6AA is helping with the closure.

Please contact Shakespeare Martineau’s Interventions Team on 0300 2472470. if you wish to speak to someone or email interventions@shma.co.uk

What does this mean?

Unfortunately, the closed firm can no longer act for you and you will need to find another solicitor. We have not taken over the closed firm and cannot act for you.

You can choose any solicitor you like to act for you. If you don’t know another solicitor, then your local Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help you. If you have internet access you can also search for a new solicitor by clicking here: The Law Society.

What happens to my money?

The money in the closed firm’s bank accounts has been frozen and will be transferred to the SRA.

Shakespeare Martineau or the SRA will look at the closed firm’s accounts to work out who the money belongs to. The SRA will try to return any money the closed firm was holding for you.

You will need to make an application for money to be returned to you.

If the closed firm’s accounts are not in good order, it might be hard to work out exactly how much money is owed — and to who. For that reason, it might take us or the SRA some time to return your money.

If the money cannot be returned to you or only part of it can, you can apply to the SRA Compensation Fund.

If you urgently need money that the closed firm was holding for you, you can apply for a payment.

There is no guarantee that you will get a payment. You must prove that the solicitor was holding your money and satisfy the Compensation Fund’s other rules.

For more information, please email claims.management@sra.org.uk or telephone 0121 820 2580.

What happens to my file?

You can have your file sent to you or to your new solicitor.

If your matter is legally aided, then your file can only be released to a solicitor who undertakes this type of work.

We no longer hold any files in relation to this intervention. Your file may be held by the third-party archivist appointed by the SRA, Capita. Capita can be contacted via email at interventionarchivefile@sra.org.uk or via telephone at 0204 525 0250.

If there are two or more of you named as clients, you will need to agree where the file should be sent. If you want your file to be sent to you, you will need to provide a copy of your identification. There is no cost for having your documents sent.

How do I access an old closed file, will, deed or another record?

If your enquiry relates to a will, deed or another document of record that the intervened solicitors were holding for you then your file (if recovered) will be held at the SRA’s intervention archiving department.

We do not hold any files that relate to closed or completed cases, wills or deeds at our offices. These files are held at the SRA’s archiving department.

The SRA’s archiving department will be in touch to see what you would like to happen to your documents. If however, you have not heard from them yet then you can arrange to complete a file request form which can be accessed from the SRA’s website alternatively you can contact them at interventionarchivefile@sra.org.uk or telephone them at 0370 606 2555

How can I get more information?

Find out more about SRA interventions by clicking here. If you would like to talk to someone in our team at Shakespeare Martineau, please call 0300 2472470.

Emma Porter

Partner & Head of managed legal services

Get In Touch

Emma is the Head of Operations for our Volume and Consumer group and has in excess of 18 years’ legal practice management experience. She is responsible for recommending and launching new processes and technologies to help the Volume and Consumer teams find new ways of reaching out to clients and delivering legal services efficiently.
She also works closely with other Partners to consider new business and potential acquisition opportunities.

How We Can Help

Solicitors Regulation Authority Intervention Agents

We have been appointed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as one of four Intervention Agents acting on its behalf. The SRA is responsible for the regulation of solicitors’ practices and solicitors across England and Wales and our role as Intervention Agent means that we are instructed to assist the SRA when law firms close and assist the SRA through the Intervention Process. On this page you will find information about our intervention team, FAQ’s and recent interventions.

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