Alerts

Warning: 'James Hunter Law Firm' website operating and misusing the names of Mills & Reeve LLP solicitors

7 October 2024

A website at 'www.Jameshunterlawfirm.com' has been operating and misusing the names of seven solicitors at Mills & Reeve LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that a website at 'www.Jameshunterlawfirm.com' has been operating and claiming to be a law firm called 'James Hunter Law Firm'.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a law firm called 'James Hunter Law Firm'.

The bogus website misuses the names and photos of seven genuine solicitors (see below). It also misuses the address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The bogus website provides an email address of 'contact@jameshunterlawfirm.com' and a telephone number of '+44 7365 605 011'.

Any business or transaction through the website 'www.Jameshunterlawfirm.com', the email address of 'contact@jameshunterlawfirm.com' or a telephone number of '+44 7365 605 011' 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 Mills & Reeve LLP.

The genuine firm's email domain ends in '@mills-reeve.com' and its telephone number is 0344 880 2666. The genuine firm's Norwich address is 1 St James Court, Whitefriars, Norwich, NR3 1RU. Its website is www.mills-reeve.com.

The SRA also authorises and regulates genuine solicitors called James Hunter, Tom Shorten, Craig Hodgson, Zickie Lim, Stephen Hamilton, Julian Smith and Dona Ardeman who are partners at the genuine firm.

The genuine firm and the genuine James Hunter, Tom Shorten, Craig Hodgson, Zickie Lim, Stephen Hamilton, Julian Smith and Dona Ardeman have confirmed they have no connection to the website referred to in the alert above.

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.