A LEGAL firm in Blackburn specialising in commercial law has been closed down by an industry regulator.

Lawson Taylor Solicitors, based at Daisyfield Business Centre in Appleby Street, has been shut by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The watchdog says the action, principally relating to firm manager Dominic Macknight, has been taken "to protect clients interests".

Agents have been appointed by an SRA panel to handle all cases and paperwork involving the firm, which was first established in 2011.

In a notice on the SRA website, it is stated: "The panel was satisfied that grounds of intervention existed under paragraph 32(1)(d) of Schedule 2 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985, namely that there was reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Macknight as a manager of the firm in connection with the firm’s business.

"The panel was satisfied that grounds of intervention existed under paragraph 32(1)(a) of Schedule 2 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985, namely that Dominic Leon Macknight, as a manager of the firm, and the firm itself, had failed to comply with the rules applicable to them as a manager of the firm, and the firm itself by virtue of section 9 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985 (as amended) - paragraph 32(1)(a) of Schedule 2 of that Act."

The intervening agent is Sean Joyce, Wigan-based Stephensons Solicitors, which has handled such actions on a number of actions for the SRA. For enquiries clients can call 0333 321 4409 or e-mail interventions@stephensons.co.uk

Companies House records show that Mr Macknight has been involved with Lawson Taylor as a director since November 2021, following the resignation of a previous principal the previous July.

The firm's accounts are reported to be overdue and an action to wind up the company was suspended on October 1 and discontinued five days later.