SRA warns of bogus 'Merit Law Firm' website meritlawfirm.co.uk listing staff it does not regulate
On 22 October 2026 the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) warned that the website meritlawfirm.co.uk is falsely presenting itself as a law firm called 'Merit Law Firm' offering legal and commercial services. The SR…
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Source: sra.org.uk · published
What happened
On 22 October 2026 the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) warned that the website meritlawfirm.co.uk is falsely presenting itself as a law firm called 'Merit Law Firm' offering legal and commercial services. The SRA says the bogus website gives the telephone number 0800 7635474 and the email address contact@meritlawfirm.co.uk, and claims that nine regulated individuals (with @meritlawfirm.co.uk email addresses) work there; the SRA does not authorise or regulate any of those individuals or any firm named 'Merit Law Firm'. The SRA says the genuine SRA-regulated firm Merit Legal Limited (SRA ID 621442, Birmingham, website meritlegal.uk) is not believed to have any connection to the matter. The SRA advises people to verify any such correspondence by contacting a law firm directly through reliable, established means.
How the scam works
A bogus law firm website copies the look of a real practice and lists solicitors' names, often taken from genuine people on public registers, to appear regulated. People may come across such sites when looking for legal help, or be directed to them during another scam, such as a fake investment 'recovery' service or a transaction that needs a solicitor to hold funds. The SRA says that where a firm's or individual's identity has been copied exactly, careful checks are necessary.
The SRA advises anyone who receives correspondence claiming to come from the firm or the named people to check it by contacting the law firm directly by reliable, established means, not using the contact details in the message. The SRA's register lets the public check whether an individual or firm is regulated. Merit Legal Limited, a genuine firm with a similar name, is not believed to be connected.
Source
Solicitors Regulation Authority, scam alert "Website claiming to be a law firm of 'Merit Law Firm'" (published 22 October 2026).
Red flags
- A law firm website whose name doesn't appear on the SRA register.
- Solicitors listed on a website who use email addresses at a domain the SRA doesn't recognise.
- Contact details such as 0800 7635474 or contact@meritlawfirm.co.uk.
- Requests to transfer money to a 'law firm' you were introduced to by a third party.
If you were targeted
- 1Don't send money or documents to meritlawfirm.co.uk or its listed contacts.
- 2Check any solicitor or firm on the SRA's register and contact them using details you find independently.
- 3Verify unexpected legal correspondence by calling the firm on a number from a reliable, established source.
- 4If you have paid, contact your bank immediately.
- 5Report the matter to the SRA and to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud).