THE Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has shut down the embattled law firm Axiom Ince with immediate effect, the regulator said on Tuesday (3).
Axiom’s managing director Pragnesh Modhwadia was suspended in August on the suspicion of "dishonesty” after a £64 million hole had been detected in the firm’s client account.
Its two other partners - Shyam Mistry and Idnan Liaqat were also suspended for their alleged failure to comply with statutory rules. Last week, the Met Police opened an investigation into the firm following a referral from the regulator.
“We have intervened into Axiom Ince at various addresses… to protect the interests of clients and former clients of the firm,” the SRA said in a statement.
“We will stop the firm from operating, take possession of all documents and papers held by the firm, and take possession of all money held by the firm (including clients' money). We are not responsible towards employees or trade creditors of firms that we have intervened in.”
The regulator has appointed agents or other solicitor firms to deal with all matters currently held by Axiom Ince.
“The agents will assess all ongoing matters and deal with those of greatest need first”, the SRA said, adding that its archive team would take control of all documents relating to closed matters held by Axiom.
It removed files from 14 offices including those in Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, London and Manchester.
The SRA told Axiom’s former staff that the intervening agents’ role was solely focused on the protection of clients and they would not deal with issues relating to employment.
It was reported on Monday (2) that Axiom had applied to call in administrators amid the exodus of its employees and partners.
Its ability to continue as a going concern had been clouded over the weekend as its insurance cover had expired.
Regulator closes Axiom Ince through intervention
Agents are appointed to deal with all matters currently held by the law firm
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)