A manager of a law firm heading for insolvency failed to tell the regulator it was subject to a winding up order, it has emerged.
Victoria Powell, head of finance and administration at Liverpool firm High Street Solicitors, also substantially underplayed the extent of the business’ debts in meetings with the regulator.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority revealed this week that it had disqualified Powell from being a manager or head of legal practice at any firm after she admitted failing to uphold her duties.
Claims practice High Street Solicitors has been one of the biggest law firm failures in the past five years, with creditors collectively owed more than £35m and at least 70 jobs lost. Administrators said in January that no money had been received from any of the work in progress handed over when the firm folded in June 2023.
