SRA warns that the website claiming to be ‘Grosvenor Solicitors’ is not an authorised law firm
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued a warning about a website operating online and falsely presenting itself as a legal practice under the name “Grosvenor Solicitors”.
According to the regulator, the website www.grosvenorsolicitors.com claims to be a law firm and provides contact details and an address that may give the impression it is a legitimate legal practice.
The site lists the telephone number +44 7782 201 469 and the email address hello@grosvenorsolicitors.com. It also displays an address at 30 Ray St, London EC1R 3DJ, UK.
The website further names several individuals as part of the supposed firm, including Richard Thompson, Brian Smith, Elizabeth Harrington, Emily Prescott, Harriet Middleton, and Eleanor Cartwright.
However, the SRA has confirmed that it does not authorise or regulate any firm of solicitors called “Grosvenor Solicitors”.
The regulator also said it does not authorise or regulate individuals named Elizabeth Harrington, Emily Prescott, Harriet Middleton or Eleanor Cartwright in connection with the website.
While there are solicitors in England and Wales who share some of the names listed on the website, the SRA said the individuals contacted are not connected to the site. This includes a genuine solicitor called Brian Smith, who has confirmed that he has no involvement with the website.
The regulator warned that any business or transactions carried out through the website, its contact details or the address listed are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Alerts of this nature are issued when the identity of a legitimate legal practice or individual is suspected to have been copied or misused, or where a website falsely claims to offer legal services.
The SRA advised members of the public to exercise caution if they receive correspondence claiming to come from the firm or from individuals linked to the website.
The regulator said that when a firm’s or an individual’s identity appears to have been cloned, it is important to carry out independent checks to verify whether the correspondence is genuine.
This may include contacting a law firm directly using trusted contact details, checking the SRA’s records to confirm whether a firm or solicitor is authorised, and reviewing publicly available information such as company records or telephone directories.
The SRA maintains a public register that allows individuals and businesses to confirm whether a solicitor or law firm is regulated in England and Wales.