FRP Advisory pair appointed joint administrators at Glasgow law firm

FRP Advisory partners Tom MacLennan and Iain Fraser have been appointed joint administrators of Hamilton Burns WS Limited, the Glasgow-based immigration, criminal, matrimonial and civil practice law firm.

The joint administrators have agreed the following deals for the transfer of seven former staff comprising four directors and three trainees to two separate firms, together with certain work in progress, as follows:

Latta Law - 2 directors and 2 trainees

Moss & Kelly Solicitors (a newly launched firm) - 2 directors and 1 trainee

The remaining nine staff (2 qualified lawyers, 7 administrative staff) have been made redundant with immediate effect.

Joint administrator Tom MacLennan, said: “Hamilton Burns WS Limited had been severely affected by a marked reduction in legal aid income and a significant decline in general practice fee income. The firm also had very high levels of historic debt which, together with the fall in income led to unsustainable pressures on cash flow. Every effort had been made to find a solution for the firm, however it became clear that administration was the only option.

“We are pleased to have negotiated agreements for the transfer of seven staff, client files and work in progress. It is with great regret that the remaining nine staff have been made redundant, for whom we will provide as much support as possible.”

Hamilton Burns can trace its roots back to 2001, and had offices in Carlton Place, Glasgow.