The former head of a Midlands firm which shut down in 2013 with the loss of over 200 jobs has been given the green light to practise without restriction.

Guy Barnett, former managing partner of Blakemores Solicitors, has been told his certificate for 2015/2016 will be issued free from conditions.

Barnett was at the helm of one of the biggest law firm closures in recent years. Blakemores, owner of consumer brand Lawyers2you, was intervened in by the regulator and shut down in March 2013.

Barnett told the Gazette at the time there was no question of impropriety in the firm’s downfall and that the intervention was due to the effects of the recession. Barnett himself entered an individual voluntary arrangement and Blakemores entered administration.

Barnett’s practising certificate was subsequently subject to a number of conditions which have now been lifted. The SRA said it is satisfied that it is ‘no longer in the interest of the public to impose any practising certificate condition’.

In 2002 Barnett led the firm through an expansion, which included setting up Lawyers2you stands at more than 20 public-facing sites, including airports and shopping centres.

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