FINANCIAL FRAUDSTER NEWS INVESTIGATIONS: Clerksroom Direct Ltd - A Digital Legal Agent Accused of Fraudulent Practices and Misappropriation of Client Funds
TAUNTON, SOMERSET – 23 July 2025 – Financial Fraudster News Investigations today unveils a damning exposé into the alleged fraudulent practices of Clerksroom Direct Ltd, a private limited company (Company Number: 09338685) incorporated on 3 December 2014, with its registered office at Equity House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 2PX.
This digital legal agent, with Stephen Michael Ward [seen left] as its Managing Director and Emily Rose Foges as Chief Operating Officer, stands accused of systematic fraudulent misrepresentation and the misappropriation of client funds, allegedly involving prominent barrister Stephen Harvey KC.
The investigation reveals a troubling pattern of conduct that has led to a formal complaint to the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and a demand for an immediate refund of £4,500.00 from a former client, Capitana Seas 2008 Trust LLP.
The Alleged Fraudulent Scheme: Inducement and Non-Provision of Services
At the core of the allegations is a contract for legal services, effective from 27 January 2023, between Capitana Seas 2008 Trust LLP (the "Client") and Stephen Harvey KC, facilitated by Clerksroom Direct Ltd.
Inducement by Misrepresentation: The Client was initially quoted £7,200 plus VAT for the services of a King’s Counsel barrister. This figure was then inexplicably reduced to £4,500 plus VAT within hours, despite the Client's stated budget for preliminary services being significantly lower (£1,500 plus VAT). This sudden and substantial price reduction is alleged to have been a deliberate inducement to secure an advance payment for services that Clerksroom Direct Ltd never intended to provide.
Advance Payment for Unrendered Services: On 2 February 2023, Clerksroom Direct Ltd issued an invoice (CRDC-00021491) for the £4,500.00 plus VAT (totaling £5,400.00). The services explicitly detailed included: written advice, indictment drafting, a Teams Conference, and attendance at a PTPH hearing at Wood Green Crown Court on 10 February 2023. The full £5,400.00 was paid in advance on 3 February 2023.
Complete Failure of Service: Despite receiving the full advance payment, the Client alleges that neither Clerksroom Direct Ltd nor Stephen Harvey KC provided any of the legal services described in the invoice. No advice was given, no drafting was done, no conference was held, and crucially, no attendance was made by Stephen Harvey KC at the scheduled hearing or any subsequent rescheduled date. The instruction was unilaterally withdrawn, causing maximum harm to the Client.
The Refund Deception: Misappropriation and Dishonest Assistance
The alleged fraudulent scheme continued with the handling of the refund, exposing a pattern of deceit:
False Promise of Full Refund: On 27 March 2023, Nastassi Jennings, a Clerksroom Direct employee, emailed the Client requesting bank details to "issue the refund agreed," implying a full repayment.
Unilateral Reduction and Retention of Funds: However, Clerksroom Direct Ltd subsequently made a series of fraudulent representations, unilaterally reducing the refund amount from the full £5,400.00 to a mere £900.00. The remaining £4,500.00 has been unlawfully retained and misappropriated by Clerksroom Direct Ltd. Only £750 plus VAT was repaid directly from their bank account.
Dishonest Assistance and Perverting Justice: The Client highlights that Stephen Harvey KC, when previously sued in a civil matter, reportedly stated he had no control over his unregulated agents, Clerksroom Direct Ltd. This is a critical point: Clerksroom Direct Ltd, as an unregulated entity acting in the name of a barrister (an officer of the court), appears to have acted in a fraudulent manner. The Client contends that Clerksroom Direct Ltd's actions, including the misappropriation of funds and subsequent false representations regarding the refund, constitute dishonest assistance and potentially perverting the course of public justice.
Regulatory Breaches and Legal Ramifications
The Client has lodged a formal complaint with the Bar Standards Board (BSB) regarding Stephen Harvey KC's conduct, alleging severe breaches of the BSB Handbook, including Core Duties relating to honesty, integrity, acting in the client's best interests, and providing competent service. The complaint also highlights the barrister's ultimate responsibility for his agents.
Trading Standards has reportedly concurred that the facts presented strongly indicate a clear breach of contract and potentially fraudulent trading practices, aligning with patterns of advanced fee fraud.
This investigation raises serious questions about the oversight and accountability within the legal services sector, particularly concerning unregulated agents operating in conjunction with regulated barristers. The alleged actions of Clerksroom Direct Ltd, under the leadership of Stephen Michael Ward and Emily Rose Foges [seen left], could expose the company to significant legal and financial repercussions, including civil proceedings for breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, and misappropriation of funds.
Financial Fraudster News will continue to monitor this case closely, advocating for transparency, accountability, and justice for clients allegedly defrauded by legal service providers.
For further inquiries, contact:
Financial Fraudster News Investigations Team
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