The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a warning after scam emails were sent to members of the public claiming to be from Herbert Smith Freehills London public law head Andrew Lidbetter and the firm.

The emails falsely claiming to be from Lidbetter relate to a potential claim for the benefit of a "will investment" of the sender's deceased client.

The email, which was sent from the email address [email protected], describes a dispute between the sender and a member of the public regarding the release of the death certificate of the sender's client, and a complaint about the charge fee the sender has requested.

Lidbetter, a disputes partner and solicitor advocate based in HSF's City HQ, has confirmed to the SRA that he has no connection with the email. A spokesperson for the firm said: "We confirm that the firm and any relevant individuals have no connection with these emails which misused our names. Similar to others which have also been impacted, we reported the incidents to the relevant authorities."

Meanwhile, other emails falsely claiming to have come from HSF have been sent to organisations requesting immediate payment for work supposedly carried out by the firm.

The emails include bank details for the recipient to send money to and ask the recipient to arrange same day payment.

In April, the SRA issued a similar warning after emails were sent to members of the public claiming for be from "barrister Tim Ingham" of "Norton Rose Fulbright Law Firm". The SRA has advised anyone receiving emails claiming to be from a law firm or named individuals to conduct their own due diligence by contacting the firm in question.

HSF was contacted for comment.