How do i find out if a business exists ?

[Dajstar]

How do i find out if a business exists or not , i am trying to find out if there is a company called '1st choice solicitors' in Newport Wales , as they are apparently pursuing a claim for us through 1st line services a financial claims company .
1st line services tell me they don't have the address or phone number but gave me a dodgy sounding email address ... i smell a rat !

Many thanks in advance.

[Katoninelive]

Try ' Companies House'.

[Dajstar]

Thankyou , i did look on there but they are not on !
i'm very suspicious now.

[factor-fiction]

I'm not clear what the circumstances are.
Are you aware that 1st Line Services are acting for you?Have you asked anyone to pursue a claim?
What have1st Choice Solicitors asked you to do? Send them some money? Ring a premium rate number?

[buildersmate]

There's a company of solicitors called Beverley Willis that uses the trading name '1st Choice Claims'. But they are based in Neath, W Glamorgan, not Newport.
See here, if it's any help.
http://www.claimsregulation.gov.uk/details.asp x/15233/Beverley_Willis/2

[Dajstar]

It is in fact 1st choice claims i have since found out who was supposedly dealing with our claim for payment protection insurance which was passed to them by 1st line services(another claims company) who i initially paid an admin fee to , anyhow i found out our claim was never passed on in the first place so have asked for my admin fee back.

[Skyline D]

Companies House will only tell you about Limited Companies. It's extremely unlikely ANY firm of solicitors will be listed there (some Limited Liability Partnerships will be, but there aren't many of those about).

[wishy123]

1. The Law Society should be able to help you out. They are the trade body for solicitors and anybody practising as a solicitor has to be registered with them. This applies to firms as well as individual solicitors.

2. NEVER use these dodgy claim farmers for such claims. Any reasonable firm would assess your prospects for success free of charge and then offer you a 'no win no fee' deal if you had a good case. These 'administration fees' are usually just an excuse to take your money and run. The failure to provide a postal address and the lack of a company registration would make it almost impossible for you to reclaim the fee if they don't do what they promised.

[barny]

This compnay does NOT exist. I have been onto the Ministry of Justice and this is NOT a registered company with them as per their website states. The landline number does not work and the mobile number just goes to answer phone. The email address is not recognised either. not sure where mrno12 has recieved their information from.