Alerts
Warning: Invoices misusing the name of Saunders & Partners LLP and Saunders Law
10 March 2023
Invoices have been sent misusing the name of Saunders & Partners LLP and Saunders Law.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that invoices have been sent to a third party misusing the name of Saunders & Partners and Saunders Law. The invoices request payment for purported legal services.
The invoices misuse the name, contact details, logo and SRA ID of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).
The SRA understands that the email was sent using an email of 'matthewpurcell@saunderslegal.co.uk'.
Any business or transaction through the email address 'matthewpurcell@saunderslegal.co.uk' or any email address with the domain name '@saunderslegal.co.uk' are 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 Saunders & Partners LLP whose trading name is Saunders Law. The registered office for the genuine firm is at Temple Chambers, 3-7 Temple Avenue, London EC4Y 0DT.
The genuine telephone number for the firm is 020 7315 4810. The genuine email addresses of the firm end with the domain @saunders.co.uk.
Saunders & Partners LLP has confirmed it has no connection to the invoices referred to in the alert 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 (eg. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.
More information
Update 23 March 2023
The SRA has been informed that another email has been sent which appears to be sent using an email of 'matthew@saunders.co.uk'.
The email appears to be from the genuine firm's email domain. However, if the reply to email is clicked it can be seen the email was sent using an email address of 'matthewpurcell@saunderslegal.co.uk'.