Alerts

Warning: Letters have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Neil Michael Howlett' and 'Katherine Elizabeth Alison Hall' of Shakespeare Martineau LLP

28 April 2026

A letter advising of a change of tenancy has been sent to an energy company, falsely claiming to be from 'Neil Michael Howlett' and 'Katherine Elizabeth Alison Hall' and using the name and letterhead of Shakespeare Martineau LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that letters have been sent to an energy company, falsely claiming to be from 'Neil Michael Howlett' and 'Katherine Elizabeth Alison Hall' of Shakespeare Martineau LLP.

The SRA has seen letters that includes the name and SRA number of a genuine firm of solicitors. One letter is signed by 'Neil Michael Howlett' and contains an office address of Two Colton Square, Leicester LE1 1QH. The second letter is signed by 'Katherine Elizabeth Alison Hall' with the SRA ID 8008022 and contains the office address 13A 2 Venture Road, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton, SO16 7NP.

The letters provide an SRA ID 551908 which is a genuine ID for a branch office of Shakespeare Martineau LLP based at Waterfront House, Waterfront Plaza, 35 Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3DQ.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors named Shakespeare Martineau LLP with the SRA ID: 442480. The genuine email domain for this firm is @shma.co.uk and the telephone number is 01212140000. Shakespeare Martineau LLP has confirmed they do not have any connection to the above.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Neil Michael Howlett with SRA ID 129291.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Katherine Elizabeth Alison Hall with SRA ID 137549.

Neither of those solicitors are believed to be genuinely connected with the correspondence 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.