Alerts
Warning: Documents or 'stamp' from 'Howes Percival Limited' misusing the address of Howes Percival LLP
21 April 2023
A lease document and 'stamp' carrying the name 'Howes Percival Limited' misuses the name and address of Howes Percival LLP.
What is the scam?
A document purporting to be a property lease claims to have been produced and 'stamped' by 'Howes Percival Limited' with the document and 'stamp' misusing the address of a genuine firm (see below).
The 'stamp' seen on the document also purports to be signed by a solicitor called 'Morris Patrick' of 'Howes Percival Limited'.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Howes Percival Limited' - but see below for details of a genuine firm with a very similar name.
The SRA also does not authorise or regulate any genuine solicitor called 'Morris Patrick' (but see below).
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Howes Percival LLP, which trades as Howes Percival. The firm has a genuine branch office at Flint Buildings, 1 Bedding Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 1RG.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor whose full name is Morris Patrick Corker-Peacock, who is known as Morris Peacock and is a partner at Howes Percival LLP.
The genuine firm of Howes Percival LLP has confirmed that neither the firm nor the genuine Morris Peacock have any connection to the stamp, the 'signature' or 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.