Alerts
Warning: Email misusing the name of Catherine Haworth
27 August 2025
An email has been sent misusing the solicitor name of Catherine Haworth in relation to recovering funds from London Art Society.
What is the scam?
The SRA has seen an email sent to an individual misusing the details of a solicitor (see below), claiming to be from a former firm of solicitors that was authorised and regulated by the SRA (see below).
The email seen by the SRA relates to purportedly supporting clients with recovering funds from London Art Society. The email was sent from the email address 'info@bgmlaw.co.uk' and is signed off by a 'Catherine Haworth'. The email sign-off further includes the telephone number '02078560156', the website 'www.bgmlaw.co.uk' and the address as 'Devonshire House Level 1 One Mayfair Place London W1J 8AJ'.
Any business or transaction through the above email addresses, phone number or website 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 solicitor called Catherine Haworth, who is employed at a non-regulated organisation called British Cycling Federation.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Catherine Haworth, who is employed at a genuine firm of solicitors called Avon and Somerset Family Law LLP.
The genuine solicitors have confirmed that they have no connection to the email referred to in the above alert.
The SRA authorised and regulated a genuine firm of solicitors called BGM Law LTD. The genuine head office address of the firm was 21 Ellis Street, London, SW1X 9AL. This firm has now ceased trading.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Baker Stirling Legal Services Ltd. The head office address of the firm is Devonshire House Level 1 One Mayfair Place London W1J 8AJ.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Sabeers Stone Greene LLP. The head office address of the firm is Devonshire House Level 1 One Mayfair Place London W1J 8AJ.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Frei Solicitors Ltd. The head office address of the firm is Devonshire House Level 1 One Mayfair Place London W1J 8AJ.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Ashbournes Solicitors Ltd. The head office address of the firm is Devonshire House Level 1 One Mayfair Place London W1J 8AJ.
The genuine firms Baker Stirling Legal Services Ltd and Sabeers Stone Greene LLP have confirmed that they have no connection to the email referred to in the above alert.
We believe Frei Solicitors Ltd and Ashbournes Solicitors Ltd have no 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.