Alerts

Warning: Document misusing the name of Farrer & Co LLP

8 December 2023

A document purporting to be an 'Affidavit of Heirship' has been sent misusing the name of Mark Gauguier and Farrer & Co LLP.

What is the scam?

A document called an 'Affidavit of Heirship' has been sent misusing the name of a genuine solicitor and firm (see below).

The SRA has seen a document headed 'Affidavit of Heirship' which uses the name of a genuine solicitor and firm and describes them as 'barrister' and 'chambers'. The document claims to relate to an application for the execution of probate for a deceased individual and bears the purported signature of a genuine solicitor.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Farrer & Co LLP which has a head office at 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LH.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a solicitor called Mark Gauguier who is a partner at Farrer & Co LLP.

The genuine firm of Farrer & Co LLP has confirmed that neither it, nor the genuine Mark Gaugier have any connection to the document referred to in the above.

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 (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.