Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Peter Hopkins, and the name and logo of Irvings Law Limited

31 March 2025

An email has been sent misusing the name of Peter Hopkins, and the name and logo of Irvings Law Limited.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen an email claiming to be from 'Alison Harding' of 'Irvings Law Finance'. The email misuses the name of a genuine solicitor and a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The email says that funds have been sent to a bank account and asks the recipient about payment in relation to an 'ongoing case'.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate an individual called 'Alison Harding' or a firm called 'Irvings Law Finance'.

Any business or transaction through 'Irvings Law Finance' or through an individual by the name of 'Alison Harding' 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 Irvings Law Limited.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Peter Alan Wills Hopkins, who is a partner at Mercers Law LLP.

Irvings Law Limited and Peter Hopkins have confirmed that they do not have any 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.