If you want to check the background of someone saying they are a lawyer, you should find out from them if they are regulated.

If they are a regulated lawyer, you can ask the relevant regulator to check their identity for you. You can find out how to do this on our Types of Lawyers page.

However some legal services, like will writing, can be carried out by anyone without needing to be a regulated lawyer.

People that provide those services may still refer to themselves as a lawyer.

You should always ask the person what their status is. That will help you to work out whether they are genuine.