Alerts

Warning: 'Jim Smith' claiming to be an SRA Regulated Solicitor and misuses the SRA number of Vanessa Marie Jolanta Beazley

27 October 2026

A member of the public has been in communications with an individual claiming to be an SRA Regulated Solicitor named 'Jim Smith'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a member of the public has seen an identification card of an individual claiming to be an SRA Regulated Solicitor named 'Jim Smith' in relation to an inheritance matter.

The identity card misuses the SRA number of a genuine solicitor (see below) and the individual purports to be a solicitor at 'Envolves Chambers'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate any individual with the name 'Jim Smith' or a firm with the name 'Envolves Chambers'.

Any business or transaction through the company or individual referred to above is not undertaken by an individual or company authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Vanessa Marie Jolanta Beazley, whose SRA number is 627451.

The genuine Vanessa Marie Jolanta Beazley has confirmed that she does not have any connection to the identification card 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.