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  4. Website operating under the name 'Hartwell, Carter and Associates' and email sent claiming to be working with a solicitor 'Eleanor Carter.'

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Warning: Website operating under the name 'Hartwell, Carter and Associates' and email sent claiming to be working with a solicitor 'Eleanor Carter.'

5 November 2026

A website operating under the name 'Hartwell, Carter and Associates' falsely claiming to provide legal services and an email has been received claiming to be working with a 'solicitor' 'Eleanor Carter' in relation to an unclaimed financial estate.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been made aware that a website operating at 'https://www.hartwellcarter.co.uk' has been falsely claiming to provide legal services by a 'solicitor'. In addition, the SRA has seen an email which has been sent to a member of the public from an individual purporting to be from a 'private investigator' allegedly working alongside a 'solicitor' managing the estate of a late client. The 'private investigator' requested that they make contact with a 'solicitor' called 'Eleanor Carter' supposedly working for 'Hartwell, Carter and Associates' regarding an alleged inheritance claim.

The details provided to the member of public for the supposed 'solicitor' claiming to be from 'Hartwell, Carter and Associates' were as follows:

  • 'Eleanor Carter, (LB Hons) B.L PhD.
  • Law Offices of Hartwell, Carter & Associates
  • Solicitors, Advocates/Notary Public
  • 4 Redcliff St, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6JG, UK
  • Telephone: +44 117 409 4070
  • Email: ecarter@hartwellcarter.co.uk
  • Website: https://www.hartwellcarter.co.uk'

The SRA has been made aware that the website listed 'James Hartwell' and 'Eleanor Carter' as supposed founders of the firm. The website appears to have since been taken down.

Any business or transactions through the details described above are not undertaken by any firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA does not authorise or regulate any individuals with the names 'Eleanor Carter' or 'James Hartwell'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate any firm of solicitors with the name 'Hartwell, Carter and Associates'.

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.

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