Scottish law firm Brunton Miller ceased to practice on 31 October 2025, leaving many clients in limbo.
The Law Society of Scotland has since stated that it has been contacted by a ‘large number’ of Brunton Miller clients, and indicated that there are hundreds of people affected by the firm’s abrupt closure.
However, there is now some clarity for Brunton Miller’s licensing clients, as the Law Society’s judicial factor has appointed the specialist licensing lawyers of TLT to take on their files.
In a statement on November 3, the Law Society of Scotland confirmed that Brunton Miller had ceased to practise and that its head of interventions, Fiona Watson, had been appointed as judicial factor by the Court of Session.
A judicial factor can be appointed if it has been found that a firm’s accounting records have not been kept properly.
Ms Watson said: “We are working on site at the Brunton Miller offices in both Glasgow and Helensburgh to secure client files and money. This is a substantial task, with priority being given to urgent matters such as pending settlements.
“We have already been contacted by a significant number of Brunton Miller clients and expect this number to increase further in the coming weeks. We will continue to liaise with clients and other stakeholders as this process continues.”
TLT welcomed the allocation of licensing file responsibility to its Scottish licensing team, saying that it was an endorsement of its reputation in the field.
Partner and head of licensing (Scotland) at TLT LLP, Stephen McGowan, said: “The sudden closure of Brunton Miller will have come as a shock to affected licensing clients.
“My focus now that TLT has been appointed is to meet with and look after all the clients as quickly as I can to provide reassurance and certainty that they will be taken care of.
“My team and I are now going through the process of contacting all the affected clients and the various licensing board clerks to ensure all those concerned are supported and represented.”
Any licensing client affected by the closure of Brunton Miller can now contact Stephen directly at stephen.mcgowan@tlt.com or on 07879848352.
