Alerts

Warning: Document misusing the name of Darby & Darby Solicitors

17 October 2022

A document from 'Darby and Darby Law' is misusing the address of a genuine firm, in relation to a supposed property transaction.

What is the scam?

A document of a supposed Contract and Transfer Deed has been prepared claiming that 'Darby and Darby Law' were acting for the seller in a supposed property transaction.

The document seen by the SRA claims to involve 'David Charles' as the 'Seller's Conveyancer' and provides an email address of 'davidcharles@darbylawyers.co.uk'.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Darby & Darby Law'.

The document misuses the registered address of a genuine firm of solicitors with a similar name and the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).

Any business or transactions claiming to be through the email address of 'davidcharles@darbylawyers.co.uk' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Darby & Darby which trades as Darby & Darby Solicitors.

The firm's genuine head office address is Tudor Chambers, Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay TQ1 4PR. The firm's genuine email domain ends with @darbylaw.co.uk.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called David Charles who is employed by Darby & Darby.

The genuine firm of Darby & Darby and their genuine solicitor David Charles have confirmed that they have no genuine connection to the document referred to in the above alert.

What should I do?

When a firm's or individual's identity has been copied exactly (or cloned), due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm(s) or individual(s), or information of a similar nature to that described, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means. You can contact the SRA to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual's or firm's practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (eg. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.