[Inthemix]

https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-...ion-of-ssb-law

Motion text

That this House notes with concern the collapse of SSB Law that has left hundreds across the country facing demands for payment stretching into thousands of pounds; stresses that a number of those affected by SSB Law’s collapse cannot meet the large demands for payment and will face significant consequences, including the repossession of their home; urges the Government to ensure that all demands for payment and court orders resulting from the collapse of SSB Law are dropped immediately; calls on Ministers to meet with those affected by the SSB Law’s collapse; declares that an independent investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse of SSB Law and the issue of demands for payment and court orders must be conducted as soon as possible; and requests that the Solicitors Regulation Authority publish all information that they received which identified SSB Law as a potential regulatory risk, along with the full findings of their investigation which concluded there was no need for regulatory action.

SSB Law collapse: Plea for help over homeowners' huge legal bills

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...shire-68215645

Hundreds of people who are facing huge legal bills after a law firm collapsed have pleaded with the government to step in and take urgent action.

Clients were assured their cases were taken on a no-win, no-fee basis but have been hit with bills up to £50,000.

Antony Higginbotham, MP for Burnley, raised the issue in Parliament after a BBC investigation exposed the matter.

Commons leader Penny Mordaunt said she would write to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

More than 1,400 people could be affected after Sheffield-based SSB Law went into administration.

Many have told the BBC they "cannot sleep" because of the bills and were frightened to answer their doors in case they were visited by bailiffs.

Their compensation claims against cavity wall insulation companies were taken on by the firm, which assured them they would not have to pay if the cases failed.

But huge bills landed on their doorsteps from the insulation firms' insurance companies when the company collapsed.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) previously said it was investigating but the law firm's clients continue to face an uncertain future over the debt.

Diane Longworth, from Burnley, Lancashire, received a bill for £7,184.35, leaving her feeling "scared".

"I was a bit too hasty paying it but I just panicked," said the 63-year-old, who works in retail.

She said she had used all of her life savings to pay the bill and now felt like she "could not trust anyone".

"I wish now I hadn't paid," she added.