Asked by: Samantha Dixon (Labour - Chester North and Neston)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority following the collapse of PM Property Lawyers; and what steps he is taking to ensure continuity of service for clients when a law firm ceases trading.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales, with oversight from the Legal Services Board (LSB). The SRA has powers to protect clients' interests when a regulated law firm ceases trading, including by intervening to secure client files and money and appointing an intervention agent.
The SRA intervened in PM Law Ltd and associated firms (including PM Property Lawyers) on 4 February 2026 and appointed Gordons LLP as intervention agent. Gordons has contacted affected clients, prioritised urgent requests and helped them access their files. The SRA has published guidance for affected clients (https://www.sra.org.uk/news/news/pm-law-intervention/) to help them find alternative representation and progress their cases. It has also taken steps to return client money, while eligible clients may apply to its discretionary Compensation Fund.
Following the closure of PM Law Ltd and associated firms, I met the Chief Executive of the SRA on 12 February to seek assurances on the steps being taken to protect affected clients, including the return of client money. My officials and I continue to engage with both the SRA and LSB on the action being taken in response, including on the lessons learnt and steps being taken to strengthen consumer protection and maintain public confidence in legal services regulation.
Asked by: Samantha Dixon (Labour - Chester North and Neston)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of accommodating young female offenders in all-male young offender institutions on the wellbeing of those female offenders.
Answered by Edward Argar
The safety of all those in our custodial estate, including young female offenders is a key priority.
Girls currently make up less than 1% of children and young people within the youth estate which has a range of mixed gender settings. In HMYOI Wetherby, girls live separately from boys but attend education and activities together, as occurs in the community.
Girls in the youth estate can communicate trauma-related stress through internalising behaviours such as self-harming. Professionals work hard to deliver effective care.
The YCS is further developing gender-responsive guidance and training both at HMYOI Wetherby and for the wider youth estate.