Harrogate law firm Berwins is to close after 40 years.

The Stray Ferret reported last week that the company, which was founded by Paul Berwin in 1986, had filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.

It has now written to clients saying the firm will close and their files will be handed over to another law firm.

The Stray Ferret understands Berwins has been sold on a break-up basis, so various firms have bought different parts of the business.

We made several attempts to contact Berwins last week, but have not received a response.

The notice of intention to appoint an administrator was filed on October 26, just weeks after Berwins celebrated its 40th anniversary with an event at Harrogate's Cedar Court Hotel.

The firm's latest accounts, filed in August 2025, showed it employed 40 staff, down from 47 the previous year. However, the Stray Ferret understands the number has shrunk to about 25 since then.

Paul Berwin and several other directors resigned at the end of last year after the business was acquired by Kent-based Griffin Law Group.

Danielle Day was appointed managing director in January. At the time, Berwins described the appointment as “part of strategic developments within the business” and said it would herald “an exciting growth agenda”.

Based on North Park Road in Harrogate, Berwins initially specialised in residential conveyancing — the legal work involved in buying and selling property — before expanding to offer a wider range of legal services to individuals, families and businesses.