Challinors files notice of intention to appoint administrators

Midlands firm Challinors has filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator. In a statement on its website, the firm said had "taken steps to protect our position pending a sale of the business".

The firm is the third well-established regional practice to fail this year. West Midlands personal injury specialists Blakemores and Yorkshire firm Atteys were closed by the SRA in March.

However, Challinors is following the example of national firm Cobbetts which protected its position in January by filing notice of intention to appoint an administrator, prior to its purchase by DWF.

Challinors said in the statement that filing the notice would "allow an orderly transfer of the business in the near future".

The statement went on: "In the interim, the business continues to trade normally and we give an assurance that the interests of our clients and staff have been safeguarded".

A spokesman for the SRA said there was "no need for regulatory action at this time as we have no concerns over client matters".

Challinors has offices across the West Midlands, in Birmingham (pictured), West Bromwich, Wolverhampton and Halesowen, and the East Midlands, in Nottingham, Leicestershire and Loughborough.

The firm covers all the main areas of civil law, such as family, conveyancing, personal injury and private client work, as well as providing a criminal defence service.

According to its website, the firm has over 200 staff, including 17 partners and more than 100 fee earners.