UK law firm shut down by authorities after investigation

Hunter’s Solicitors, with offices in Abingdon and Henley, ceased operations in early March following “a short investigation we carried out following concerns raised with us about client interests.”

Based in High Wycombe, the firm employed around 44 staff and offered services including litigation, insolvency, family law, conveyancing, and private client work.

Hunter’s was not connected to the similarly named firm based in London’s Lincoln’s Inn.

The SRA said the intervention was carried out in part due to “reason to suspect dishonesty” involving Jeff Hazelgrove, the firm’s compliance officer for finance and administration.

Angelo Luiz-Barrea, Christopher Stocker and Howard Rind, who managed the firm, were also found to have failed to comply with SRA rules.

Hunter’s operated under various names across multiple locations, including Franklins Solicitors in Abingdon, Batemans in Hemel Hempstead, Kealy Farmar in Henley, Grower Freeman in Central London, Colemans in Maidenhead, and Graham White & Co in Bushey.

An SRA spokesperson said: “We had to intervene into Hunter’s Solicitors and its branch offices following its sudden closure in early March, which followed a short investigation we carried out following concerns raised with us about client interests.

“An intervention means we took possession of all documents and papers held by the firm, and took possession of all money held by the firm (including clients’ money).

“We employed another solicitor firm, known as the agent, to help contact clients with ongoing matters, prioritising those with the most urgent or imminent issues.

“While we cannot disclose information about an on-going investigation, we continue to work quickly to gather all the relevant information.

“We appreciate that this might be a stressful time.

“Clients can rest assured we are diligently working through Hunter’s Solicitors files to identify and, wherever possible, contact all clients of the firm.

“Please be aware that due to the volume of files we have collected, it may take some time before we are able to do this.

“Our agent will prioritise identifying clients with the most immediate and urgent legal issues to be resolved.

“Our archive team will also take control of all documents relating to closed matters held by the firm, such as copies of deeds and wills.”

In April 2025, Hunter’s was fined £24,820 for breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations after failing to maintain a firm-wide risk assessment, appropriate controls, and staff training for more than three years.

Emma Porter, a partner at Shakespeare Martineau, has been appointed as the SRA’s intervention agent to help manage the closure and client communications.