Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the names of Giles Belsey, Dechert LLP and Clarke Willmott LLP
16 July 2025
Emails have been sent misusing the names of Dechert LLP and Giles Belsey attaching an invoice misusing the name of Clarke Willmott.
What is the scam?
The SRA has seen emails that have been sent misusing the name of a genuine solicitor and two genuine firms of solicitors (see below).
The emails request payment of a supposedly outstanding invoice in relation to the following professional fees:
- Governance, risk and compliance
- Global mobility policy and compliance
- Value-building and succession planning.
The emails were sent from the email address 'giles.belsey@decherrt.onmicrosoft.com'.
Any business or transaction through the email address 'giles.belsey@decherrt.onmicrosoft.com' 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 Dechert LLP. The genuine firm's email domain is '@dechert.com'.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Giles Belsey, who is a partner at Dechert LLP.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Clarke Willmott LLP.
The genuine Giles Belsey, Dechert LLP and Clarke Willmott LLP have confirmed they do not have any connection to the emails or invoices 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.