Alerts

Warning: Email from ‘Bill Kennedy Solicitors Limited’ misusing the SRA ID of a genuine firm

19 February 2025

An email has been sent from ‘Bill Kennedy Solicitors Limited’ misusing the SRA ID of a genuine firm in relation to a supposed conveyancing transaction.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent claiming to be from a law firm named ‘Bill Kennedy Solicitors Limited’ in relation to a supposed conveyancing transaction. The email attached a sales memo and a brochure in relation to the purchase of a supposed property.

The email seen by the SRA has been sent from the email address ‘hclark@billkennedylaw.com’ and provides the address of 22a High Street, Great Kindle, KT23 4AG. The email also provides telephone numbers of 01372 456 557 and 01372 750664, and a DX address of 117527 Great Kindle.

The email misuses the name and SRA ID of a genuine firm (see below).

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm called Bill Kennedy Solicitors Limited.

Any business or transaction through the email address ‘hclark@billkennedylaw.com’ and the email domain ‘@billkennedylaw.com’ is not undertaken by any individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm called Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors LLP whose SRA ID is 499394.

The genuine firm Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors LLP has confirmed that it has no 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.