A BURNLEY law firm has ceased to practice.
SFN Solicitors, based in Red Lion Street, has closed its doors and left a message on its telephone answering machine confirming the office closure.
It is believed the decision to close was partially due to the illness of one of the partners, as well as challenging market circumstances.
The Solicitors’ Regulation Society confirmed that SFN had closed and that “the firm was going through an orderly wind-down.”
The answering machine message states: “We are sorry to have to inform you that this office is now closed for business.
“A number of local solicitors practices have kindly agreed to assist. If you have an ongoing matter we hope to transfer files as soon as possible, and you will be hopefully contacted shortly. Thank you for your patience at this difficult time.”
SFN specialised in personal injury, conveyancing, matrimonial, wills and probate, and commercial.
Another Burnley firm, Steele Ford and Newton, told the Express that SFN clients had been into its offices asking for advice.
One of those customers forwarded on a letter from SFN solicitor Ian Dearing, dated October 18th, which confirmed that the firm had “ceased to practice as of the day before yesterday” (October 16th).
Mark Irlam, personal injury director at Steele Ford and Newton, which has recently merged with JGT Solicitors, said some of its clients had become confused because of the similarity in names.
He said: “Steele Ford and Newton are not connected to SFN in any way and it is business as usual for us. Not only have we had our own clients questioning the news, but those of SFN coming in as well.
“We understand that the confusion is due to us having the same initials for our business as theirs, but that is as far as any similarities go.”