Former justice minister: 'Legal aid cuts did not close my law firm'

Helen Grant, formerly a justice minister and now minister for sport and tourism, has denied that legal aid cuts played a part in the closure of Grants Solicitors, just before Christmas.

Grants Solicitors, founded by Grant in 1996 and based in Croydon, specialised in family law and domestic violence. Grant and her husband Simon were equity partners and members of the LLP.

Grant was elected MP for Maidstone and the Weald in 2010, after which it is understood that she ceased to be involved in the day-to-day running of the firm. In September 2012 she was appointed joint under-secretary of state at the MoJ.

According to an article in The Telegraph this summer, based on the MoJ's annual report, legal aid payments to the firm for the financial year 2012-13 totalled £384,000.

The MoJ told the newspaper that to avoid any potential conflict of interest, it was agreed that Grant's portfolio as justice minister would not include legal aid and she would avoid any ministerial decision-making in that area.

A statement on the Grant Solicitors website, entitled 'notice of closing', said that "as a result of changes in personal circumstances" the firm closed for business on 20 December 2013.

"We wish to reassure all clients and associated businesses that this closure has been carefully planned, that the firm remains financially sound and fully compliant with our regulatory procedures," the statement said.

"We are pleased to report that all of our staff have found suitable new employment and we have also found new homes for all active files as of the date of closure.

"We are proud of the work we have carried out in Croydon, South London and Surrey over the past 17 years and wish to thank all of our clients for their custom over that period."

Grant's parliamentary office said yesterday: "The members have both arrived at a time in their lives when they wish to pursue other interests and have therefore decided to move out of private legal practice. Legal aid was not a contributory factor in this decision.'