Alerts

Warning: Document misusing letterhead of Ellisons Legal LLP

11 June 2024

A letter regarding a lease agreement between landlord and tenant has been sent to an energy company, purporting to be from Ellisons Legal LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that correspondence has been sent to an energy company, falsely purporting to be from 'Guy Longhurst' of 'Ellisons Legal LLP' (see below for genuine details). The letter appears to be intended as verification from Ellisons Legal LLP of a lease agreement between a Landlord and Tenant

The letter uses the genuine details of the firm and a letterhead which is similar to that of a genuine firm. (See below). The fake letterhead however does not include the firm's commemoration logo or details of all of the firm's offies.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm called Ellisons Legal LLP (SRA ID: 8001031). The firm’s head office is at Stedman Chambers, 43 Head Street, Colchester, CO1 1NH with a contact number of 01206764477 and a website of www.ellisonssolicitors.com.

The firm also has a branch office at 115 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0QT with the contact number of 01245847636.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Guy Wanham Longhurst, who is a solicitor/member at Ellisons Legal LLP.

The genuine firm of Ellisons Legal LLP has confirmed that neither the firm nor Guy Wanham Longhurst, has any genuine connection with the 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 (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.