Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Judge & Priestley LLP

8 May 2023

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Judge & Priestley LLP, requesting funds but from a false email domain.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Judge & Priestley LLP, requesting funds and providing details of a false bank account. 

The SRA has been advised that the emails came from various email addresses using the domain name 'judge-priestley.com', which is not the email domain of the genuine firm (see below) .

Any business or transaction through emails using a domain name ending with '@judge-priestley.com' 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 Judge and Priestley LLP (which trades as Judge & Priestley). All genuine emails from the genuine firm come from the domain name ending with '@judge-priestley.co.uk'.  

The genuine firm of Judge & Priestley LLP has confirmed that it has no genuine and intended connection to the emails referred to 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.