SRA warns of scam emails falsely claiming to be from Irwin Mitchell LLP
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a warning about scam emails misusing the name of a well-known law firm in an apparent attempt to deceive recipients.
The alert, published on 2 April 2026, concerns emails that claim to be sent on behalf of Irwin Mitchell LLP in relation to a supposed copyright infringement notice. The SRA has confirmed that these communications are not genuine.
According to the regulator, the emails purport to come from an individual named “Douglas J. Clark”. However, the SRA has stated that it does not authorise or regulate any solicitor by that name. The messages were sent from email addresses that do not correspond with the official domain used by the firm.
The SRA confirmed that the genuine Irwin Mitchell LLP, which is authorised and regulated by the regulator, has no connection to the emails. The firm has also confirmed that it does not employ anyone with the name referenced in the communications.
The fraudulent emails were sent from Gmail accounts rather than the official domain associated with the firm. The SRA highlighted that any business or transaction conducted through the named individual or those email addresses is not linked to a regulated legal practice.
Such scams typically involve the misuse of a legitimate firm’s identity to lend credibility to communications. The SRA has advised recipients to exercise caution and to verify the authenticity of any correspondence claiming to originate from a law firm.
The regulator recommends that individuals carry out independent checks, including contacting the firm directly using verified contact details. It also advises checking whether a firm or individual is authorised through official regulatory records.
The warning forms part of the SRA’s ongoing efforts to alert the public to potential scams involving cloned identities and fraudulent communications within the legal sector.
No financial losses or further details about the scale of the activity have been included in the alert.
The SRA continues to encourage vigilance and due diligence when dealing with unsolicited legal communications.