Pictured above: Andy Hodges, Chief Executive at Midlands law firm Challinors

One of the West Midlands' longest established private legal practices, Hall Pratt & Pritchard which was founded in 1772, has gone into administration, but local regional firm Challinors has responded to take over the practice's files to make sure clients are protected.

Challinors chief executive Andy Hodges commented: "We were approached to help Hall Pratt & Pritchard how were about to go into administration. Challinors management team and partners didn't hesitate when asked if the firm would be able and prepared to take over all the legal work for all clients, which we have done with immediate effect.

Challinors have received instructions from the Wolverhampton firm of recovery and insolvency business practitioners, Leonard Curtis

"The transfer of some 900 files has taken place and we are in the process of writing to all former and current clients of Hall Pratt & Pritchard, advising them of the situation.

"It is important that they feel reassured that Challinors is committed to providing a quality and supportive legal service to all its clients and those who were former clients of Hall Pratt & Pritchard are no exception to this. We will look after each of them. We will make a priority, those clients with a current and live legal requirement, so in particular they must be reassured that the transition will be handled smoothly and efficiently.

"Current instructions will be picked up by our team in Wolverhampton, which is based on the city's Queen Street, with additional support provided by the firm's lawyers and teams in our West Midlands offices in Halesowen, West Bromwich and Birmingham."

Hall Pratt & Pritchard had offices in Wolverhampton and Womborne, and provided a general legal service to clients, with a focus on private client instructions including Wills, Trusts and Probate matters, Family Law, and residential property and conveyancing.

Challinors acquired Wolverhampton's Sheltons Solicitors in June last year as part of its ongoing expansion and acquisition strategy. It has built its Midlands regional network to include five strategically located offices, including a strong presence in the Black Country. The firm has 24 partners and over 100 fee earners in its region-wide team of more than 230 individuals.

Challinors has offices in Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Halesowen and Nottingham. The firm has 24 partners and over 100 fee earners, and is ranked as one of the top legal firms in the West Midlands, being Number 1 in the Chambers UK Directory in a number of categories, including Clinical Negligence.