Burnley and Padiham’s MP Antony Higginbotham has spoken in support of families facing huge legal bills following the collapse of a Sheffield based solicitors.
Homeowners, many of which are from Burnley and Padiham, are now facing legal costs of up to £18,000 after seeking no win no fee claims for defective cavity wall insulation.
Speaking in the Commons, Antony said:
Tens of thousands of pounds. That's the bill that has landed on the doors of a number of my constituents.
The bills relate to cavity wall insulation that residents had installed using a government grant. That cavity wall insulation was defective, caused damp mould and damage to property.
When no win, no fee lawyers got in touch, residents took up the offer that proceeded through the courts. They were told they wouldn't have to pay and a law firm based in Sheffield SSB law has now collapsed. There was no insurance policy for residents and they have now been hit with legal costs because of the collapse of SSB law.
Now I understand that the Solicitor Regulation Authority has done a forensic investigation last year and they’re now investigate it again.
But could I enlist the help of the Leader of the House to get justice for those residents who have no means to pay the tens of thousands of pounds they’re now being asked for -when they thought they were doing the right thing to get cavity wall insulation and then to put it right after it went wrong.
Responding the Leader of the House, Penny Mordaunt said:
Well, that is an appalling situation. I'm very sorry to hear about it. I understand that this issue has been reported to the Solicitors Regulation Authority and that there is an investigation into the matters that has been raised. And the honourable gentleman, I'm sure, will be supporting his constituents with regard to any complaints they wish to make to the legal Ombudsman and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Speaking afterwards Burnley’s MP said:
It cannot be right that a law firm promises to take a case on a no win no fee basis, only then to go bust, leaving people facing huge legal bills. That’s the purpose of insurance and is why this issue needed raising for those who are now palpably distressed at what these bills will mean for their family.
Please, if you find yourself caught up in this, my advice is to seek legal advice as soon as you can. But as I say to all those who contact, I will do everything I can to support.
