Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the name of Jonathan Hemmant and 'Smithfield Partners LLP'

2 October 2025

A letter has been sent by fax from an individual purporting to be Jonathan Hemmant from a law firm called 'Smithfield Partners LLP'. The letter misuses the name of a genuine solicitor.

What is the scam?

A letter has been sent to a member of the public purporting to be from 'Jonathan Hemmant’ Attorney at 'Smithfield Partners LLP'. The letter relates to a supposed inheritance and invites the recipient to confirm that their name can be added to a policy so that the proceeds of the inheritance can be shared. The letter misuses the name of a genuine solicitor (see genuine details below) and the address of a genuine firm (see genuine details below).

The email address 'jonathan.hemmant@smithfieldpartnerslmt.online’, telephone number '+44(0)7765 215058’, website 'https:// https://smithfieldpartnerslmt.online/’ and postal address 'Hart House Business Centre, Kimpton Road, Luton, LU2 0LA’ were provided in the letter.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm named 'Smithfield Partners LLP'.

Any business or transaction through the above contact details are 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 solicitor named Jonathan Hemmant whose SRA ID is 260145.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors named Smithfield Partners Limited (SRA ID 499315). The genuine firm uses the email domain @smithfieldpartners.com. Its head office is Hart House Business Centre, Kimpton Road, Luton, LU2 0LA and its genuine contact number is 0845 539 1000.

The genuine firm of solicitors Smithfield Partners Limited and the genuine Jonathan Hemmant have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the letter referred to in the above alert or any of the contact details provided.

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.