Covid strikes again as conveyancing law firm hits buffers

Covid continues to count its conveyancing scalps with another law firm hitting the buffers after it couldn’t keep up to complete cases.

Now hundreds of jobs could be at risk after HMRC issued a winding-up petition against Linder Myers Solicitors.

The 100-year-old firm has offices in Manchester, Chester, Lytham, York and Shrewsbury, and is one of 14 legal brands operated by Metamorph Group.

WINDING-UP

Three of those brands – Linder Myers, Gosport-based Donnelly and Elliott Solicitors, and SLC Solicitors in Telford – form MLL Ltd, which has been issued with a winding-up petition.

The Neg contacted Linder Myers for comment.

Previously, a spokesperson for the group had told TheBusinessDesk.com that it was ‘working hard in collaboration with HMRC to resolve any outstanding matters’.

A search on Companies House confirms that accounts for MLL are currently four months overdue.

ACCOUNTS

Its most recent accounts filed report a £2.1 million loss for the 18 months to June 2020. However a note on the account shows this was partly due to a restructure that saw the amalgamation of businesses Donnelly and Elliot Solicitors, SLC Solicitors and Linder Myers Solicitors.

During that period the company employed more than 300 people and had assets of £4.5m – although its accounts included a written commitment from Metamorph Group to provide support for at least one year should it be required.

The courts slowing down has reduced our ability to complete cases.”

In the notes to the accounts, the company said: “Covid-19 has had a mixed impact on the group, with some areas such as trusts and probate and family increase in demand for services throughout the period and in other areas, the courts slowing down has reduced our ability to complete cases.

“Furlough was used to help manage the financial impact of this situation, which also enabled the retention of key skills and capacity within the business.”