A London solicitor has called for more positive action in dealing with fake lawyers, after learning his firm's name has been fraudulently used on several occasions.

Julian Young, a partner at specialist criminal law practice the Westminster Law Partnership, only found out his firm's name had been stolen when the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) called him to check the validity of a solicitor's name on a document.


But when the FCO found that his firm was not the same 'Westminster Law' stated on the document, it simply kept a copy and sent the person who had attempted to submit it on their way.


The FCO maintains that, at the time, it did not know if the stamp had been falsified. Mr Young said this attitude in no way helped lawyers fight name fraud.


'What horrified me was that my firm's name or part of it was being used,' he said. 'That the FCO didn't seem at all perturbed by it, especially after I told them they should take some form of action, is surprising. The integrity of any solicitor's name is of paramount importance.'


The Metropolitan Police are investigating the matter, as is the Law Society's fraud intelligence unit (FIU). But the police have so far said that 'no criminal offences have been disclosed'.


However, the Gazette has been told categorically by the FCO that the words 'solicitor's department' are marked on the document submitted, even though Mr Young's firm is the only one listed with the Law Society.


The FIU confirmed that a false address was given on the document, which limits its abilities to chase down the fraudster. The Law Society cannot force anyone it finds to speak on the record, nor can it detain anyone it catches.


A spokesman for the Society said it could not comment further as the matter is the subject of an ongoing investigation.


Solicitors who become aware that they or others are being impersonated should contact the FIU, tel: 01926 439673 immediately.