Former Clients of Bankrupt Law Firm Left Out of Pocket and Frustrated

Title: Former Clients of Bankrupt Law Firm Left Out of Pocket and Frustrated

Former clients of the long-standing law firm McClure solicitors, which recently went bust, are speaking out about being left out of pocket and frustrated by the situation. The firm, founded in Greenock in 1853, had tens of thousands of clients across Britain and specialized in work such as wills and trusts.

One such client, Lynn Benson, shared her story of discovering that McClure had gone bust in 2021, leaving her in a “nightmare” situation. Her late mother had put her house in a trust with the firm, and when it came time to sell the property, Lynn faced challenges due to the trustees being former McClure solicitors. She eventually sold her mother’s home after a long and emotional process.

Another client, retired firefighter Joe Wylie, spent over £5,000 setting up wills, powers of attorney, and trusts with McClure before the firm collapsed. He was shocked to learn that his trust had not been set up properly and now faces the prospect of starting over with a new lawyer.

Former McClure director Andrew Robertson defended the firm’s services, stating that clients should not fear that money has been wasted and that the trust remains valid despite the firm’s closure. However, some clients have faced difficulties in selling their parents’ homes due to issues with contacting trustees.

The Law Society of Scotland is monitoring the situation and encourages clients who have suffered losses to raise claims or complaints. Jones Whyte, the firm that took on McClure’s files, has been conducting reviews of trusts for former clients, with some clients expressing frustration at the additional costs involved.

The story of McClure solicitors’ collapse serves as a cautionary tale for individuals seeking legal services, highlighting the importance of thorough research and due diligence when choosing a law firm.