Alerts

Warning: Letter misusing the name and letterhead of Hickman & Rose, and the name of Stefano Vincenzo Ruis

7 July 2026

A letter has been sent misusing the name and letterhead of the genuine firm of solicitors Hickman & Rose, and the name of genuine solicitor Stefano Vincenzo Ruis.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that correspondence has been sent to a member of the public purporting to be from 'Stefano Ruis' of Hickman & Rose (see genuine details below).

The letter seen by the SRA misuses the letterhead of the genuine firm of solicitors and the firm's genuine name and office address. The contents of the letter are in relation to a property dispute.

The letter further misuses the name of a genuine solicitor (see details below).

Any business or transaction through the letter described above 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 Hickman & Rose (SRA number 73698). The genuine firm's head office address is Penny Bank Chambers, 33 St. John's Square, London, EC1M 4DS.

The SRA authorises and regulates a solicitor named Stefano Vincenzo Ruis (SRA number 27366).

The genuine firm Hickman & Rose has confirmed that neither they nor Stefano Vincenzo Ruis have any connection to the letter 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.