My Crown Court trial was minutes from starting when my Sills & Betteridge solicitor decided, for no good reason, to withdraw from representing me. The barrister who was appointed by Sills also withdrew, leaving me with no legal team whatsoever. No reason for their withdrawal was given to the Judge or the Court. The Judge instructed my solicitor to provide me with a list of alternative solicitors, but all she did was give me a very short list of firms, all of which did not do Legal Aid work, so was of no use to me at all. I had to find my own legal team just days before the Christmas and New Year's holidays for a Court appearance on 8th January. I was effectively abandoned.
From my experience, I think that the Sills and Betteridge solicitor behaved in an appallingly unprofessional manner. i would not recommend this firm to anyone.