Solicitors Journal to close after 160 years

Long established legal weekly the Solicitors Journal is to close after 160 years in print.

Publisher Wilmington plc, which announced earlier this year that it was moving out of the legal support services market, said it had been unable to find a buyer for the title and was closing Solicitors Journal, Waterlow's Legal Directories and Trade & Forfeiting Review, among other titles, with seven editorial jobs set to go.

It is likely that pressure on advertising and subscriptions due to the rise in digital media is to blame. 

In statement the publisher said: “In common with many publications, these assets have been affected in recent years by the structural challenges within the paid for media content and advertising marketplaces and economic challenges within their sectors."

Chairman of Wilmington Legal Mark Solon said: “We greatly appreciate the hard work of the current and past Solicitors Journal teams who have maintained editorial independence, integrity and excellence over some 160 years.

“I am sure that all of those who have worked for, contributed to and read Solicitors Journal during its long history will be sad to hear this news. I can assure everyone that this decision has not been taken lightly, and without exploring all possible avenues.”