CLIENTS of a collapsed North-East law firm are being reassured that their cases are now being handled by other local practices. 

The joint administrators of Gateshead-based Swinburne and Jackson LLP, Gordon Goldie and Matt Higgins of Tait Walker LLP, have now concluded a series of deals with other law firms in the North-East, to give the firms custody of almost 5,000 client files.

It is expected that those firms will make contact with previous clients of Swinburne and Jackson over the next week, to confirm whether the clients wish to engage them to ensure continuity of service.

Swinburn and Jackson, which had been trading for at least 150 years, entered administration last week with the loss of 39 jobs. 

Mr Goldie said: "We are delighted to have made so much progress in such a short space of time.

"Whilst it would have been great to have retained some of the 39 staff we unfortunately had to make them all redundant on the date of our appointment and we wish them well in the future. We will formally notify creditors of our appointment this week and our proposals will be circulated as soon as practical.”