Help for solicitors facing financial difficulty

If you're worried about the future of your law firm, or are looking for advice on the impact of government reforms to legal aid, our resources can help.

Check our guidance on:

Books and other resources

Exit Strategies Toolkit

Financial Stability Toolkit

Profitability and Law Firm Management

Useful websites for firms and employees

GOV.UK

GOV.UK has information for businesses on how to:

  • deal with financial difficulties
  • find an insolvency practitioner
  • contact the official receiver who can help manage the first stages of insolvency

Insolvency Service

The Insolvency Service administers compulsory company liquidations and personal bankruptcies and deals with misconduct through investigation of companies and enforcement.

It also makes redundancy payments.

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

The SRA has guidance: 

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice has helpful information about:

  • the redundancy procedures an employer must follow
  • what redundancy payment an employee may be entitled to
  • the situation after redundancy
  • work-related issues
  • debt and entitlement to benefits

Acas

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) can help employees who have a dispute with their employer.

Acas can act as a mediator in an employment dispute. It has a free confidential helpline.

Other helplines

LawCare

LawCare is an advisory and support service designed to help lawyers, their immediate families and their staff to deal with issues such as:

  • stress
  • depression
  • addiction
  • eating disorders
  • related emotional difficulties

The Solicitors' Charity

The Solicitors' Charity helps solicitors, former solicitors and their dependants when times are tough. Its services include:

  • grants and interest-free loans (usually secured)
  • support with career transition
  • access to bespoke personal insolvency advice

Solicitors' Assistance Scheme

The Solicitors' Assistance Scheme offers free confidential help and advice for all solicitors in England and Wales, their families and employees on any problem troubling them, whether personal or professional.

Find out more about support services for solicitors

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