Alerts

Warning: Letter misusing the name of Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)

28 November 2023

A letter has been sent misusing the name of Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors) in relation to supposed Crypto currency funds.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that a letter has been sent from an individual signing the letter as 'Chriss H' falsely purporting to be from a genuine firm of solicitors in relation to supposed 'confirmation of the legality of crypto currency funds'.

The letter misuses the name, logo, address and the company registration and SRA number of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited trading as CEL based at 12th Floor 20 Chapel Street Liverpool L3 9AG. Its Company registration is 10370954 and its SRA ID is 633955.

The genuine firm employs a staff member called Christopher Higginson, who is its Chief Financial Officer.

The genuine firm of Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited and Christopher Higginson have confirmed that they do not have any genuine and intended connection with the email 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 (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.