Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Clarke Willmott LLP

14 May 2025

An email has been sent misusing the name of Clarke Willmott LLP in relation to the payment of an outstanding invoice.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent misusing the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The email seen by the SRA reminds the recipient to pay a supposedly outstanding invoice.

The email was sent from the email address 'stuart.hoysted@clarrkewillmott.com' (note the extra 'r' in the domain name).

Any business or transaction through the email address 'stuart.hoysted@clarrkewillmott.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 Clarke Willmott LLP. The genuine firm's email domain is '@clarkewillmott.com'. An individual called Stuart Hoysted is employed by the firm.

The genuine firm of Clarke Willmott LLP firm has confirmed that neither it, nor its Stuart Hoysted have any connection to 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.