Client has just received out of the blue a Stamp Duty demand for £6,000 plus £2 interest from HMRC in relation to a March 2017 property purchase. Client has already paid the Stamp Duty plus full purchase cost to the firm of solicitors who dealt with the transaction.
In the meantime the Solicitors Regulation Authority has intervened and shut down the firm of solicitors for some unknown reason. It would appear that the initial £6,000 Stamp Duty has not reached HMRC Stamp Office.
Should my client pay the second £6,000 (plus £2 interest), ignore it or take some alternative action. She has funds to pay if needs be.
My client knows who the intervention solicitor is.
Any useful comments would be appreciated.
Replies (3)
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Client should contact the intervention solicitor.
As you probably know, the SRA will intervene when there is a serious problem, for example, suspected dishonesty on the part of the solicitor.
David
Eventually the client should be able to recover the amount of the stamp duty from the solicitor / his insurers / the Law Society indemnity fund.
Client should keep in touch with intervention solicitor to push his claim for the refund.
David