MoneySavingExpert.com homepage
Cutting your costs, fighting your corner
Founder, Martin Lewis · Editor-in-Chief, Marcus Herbert
Search bar closed.
MSE News

Legal firm used by Cartel Client Review is shut down

judge_hammer
Guy Anker
Guy Anker
Deputy Editor & Head of Operations
11 March 2010

A legal firm used by claims management company Cartel Client Review has been closed down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The SRA says: "Consumer Credit Litigation Solicitors (CCLS) of Devonshire Street North, Manchester, has been intervened into (in other words, closed down)."

The SRA cites "suspected dishonesty, breaches of the solicitors' code of conduct and the protection of clients" as the reasons for closure.

Cartel says it helps consumers write off debt and often passed borrowers' cases to CCLS to investigate. MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) has received numerous complaints about customers paying the claims firm cash but not hearing back about the status of their cases for months. Cartel denies this (see the Cartel concerns MSE News story).

The Ministry of Justice revealed last week it is investigating Cartel, though the SRA stresses the "intervention does not relate to Cartel as we do not regulate claims management companies".

The SRA says that while CCLS is now closed, clients' money it is holding is safeguarded. However, the SRA stresses that it is not responsible for money held by claims management firms (see the SRA site for full information).

MSE tried to contact Cartel to find out how CCLS's closure affects its customers but a recorded message stated it was unable to take incoming calls.

We will monitor the story and report any updates for anyone worried about missing cash.

Further reading/Key links

Debt help: Debt problems Reclaim help: PPI reclaiming, Bank Charges

MSE Email icon 5 November 2024

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!

Martin's Savings Masterclass
Boost your interest NOW
Life insurance for beginners
Save £1,000s
Paying off student loan?
Some can get £100s back
Are solar panels worth it?
See our updated guide
TWO pairs of specs £14
Including delivery
Budget need-to-knows
Stamp Duty, carers & pensions
Santander FREE £150 bank bribe
For newbie switchers
Tools and calculators

Clever ways to calculate your finances

Find your odds of getting top cards
Find your odds for getting a cheap loan
Compare broadband, phone & TV deals
Compares thousands of mortgages
Eight calcs to help you work out the cost
We ensure you’re on the cheapest tariff