Alerts

Warning: Trademark correspondence misusing the names of genuine individuals and of CSS Law Ltd

1 August 2025

Correspondence regarding purported intellectual property protection matters has been sent, misusing the names of genuine individuals and of CSS Law Ltd.

What is the scam?

A variety of similar bogus correspondence has been sent to businesses, misusing the identities of two individuals and the name of a law firm authorised and regulated by the SRA (see below).

The correspondence advises the recipient that an application has been made, seeking exclusive rights to their company name or to a brand name used by the recipient. The correspondence invites the recipient to secure trademark registration of the company name and offers to assist with this process.

The correspondence has falsely purported to be from different supposed 'Intellectual Property Solicitors' at the firm. At the time of publication, the correspondence seen by the SRA misuses the names and SRA numbers of two different genuine solicitors (see below), although further names may be similarly misused in further correspondence. The correspondence seen so far was sent from the following email addresses:

'paul@legal.csslaws.com'
'bella@legalnotice.csslaws.com'

Correspondence included the telephone numbers '+44 7482052010' and '+44 7877400880' and the website address 'www.csslaws.com' was also referred to. The name and postal address of a genuine firm of solicitors is also misused (see below).

Any business or transaction through the above email addresses, telephone numbers, or website address is not undertaken by a firm or solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Various versions of similar correspondence have been sent, misusing the names of different individuals and law firms (see linked alerts below).

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called CSS Law Ltd. Its head office address is at 133 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7QA and its contact number is +44 (0) 0203 9722 706. The genuine firm’s website address is www.cssolicitors.co.uk. CSS Law Ltd has confirmed that it has no connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Paul David Arnold with the SRA number 397001. Paul David Arnold has confirmed that he has no connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Bella Ramsay with the SRA number 827924. Bella Ramsay has confirmed that she has no connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert.

What should I do?

When a firm's or individual's identity has been copied exactly (or cloned), due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm(s) or individual(s), or information of a similar nature to that described, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means. You can contact the SRA to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual's or firm's practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.

Related SRA scam alerts

More information

Update 8 August 2025

The SRA has been advised that further correspondence has been sent in relation to the above matter, misusing the name of another genuine solicitor (see below). The emails seen by the SRA have been sent from the email address 'victoria@legalnotice.csslaws.com' and provide the same telephone number ('+44 7482052010') and website address ('www.csslaws.com') as above.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Victoria Catherine Abberton with the SRA number 293597. Victoria Catherine Abberton has confirmed that she has no connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert.

Update 12 August 2025

The SRA has been advised that further correspondence has been sent in relation to the above matter, misusing the name of another genuine solicitor (see below). The email seen by the SRA has been sent from the email address ‘reuben@legal.csslaws.com’ and provides the same telephone number ('+44 7482052010') and website address ('www.csslaws.com') as above.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Reuben James Anstock with the SRA number 396374. Reuben James Anstock has confirmed that he has no connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert.