Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the names of Martin-Kaye LLP and employees of the firm
6 November 2025
Emails have been sent misusing the name of Martin-Kaye LLP and the names of genuine employees from the firm in relation to residential conveyancing transactions.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from employees of Martin-Kaye LLP (please see genuine details below).
The emails seen by the SRA instruct recipients to make payment of the deposit required for their residential conveyancing purchase to proceed. In some case, the emails simply request payment of deposit funds, ask recipients to confirm that the funds are available, and request confirmation of the intended payment date. A further email seen by the SRA provides the recipient with bank account details to send their funds to. These bank details are not associated with the genuine firm of solicitors.
The emails were sent from the following email addresses with an extra 's' in the email domain:
- jamespoulton@martinsco.uk
- chritopherhodgson@martinsco.uk
- michaelabrazier@martinsco.uk
One of the emails seen by the SRA also provides the phone number '01952 525 967'.
Any business or transactions through the emails, email addresses or phone number described above is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Martin-Kaye LLP. The genuine firm's telephone number for their head office is '01952 272 222'. Emails from the genuine firm of solicitors use the email domain '@martinkaye.co.uk'.
The genuine firm Martin-Kaye LLP employ individuals called James Poulton, Christopher Hodgson and Michaela Brazier who work in the Private Property department of the firm. The details for the genuine employees can be located on the firm's genuine website www.martinkaye.co.uk.
The genuine firm and employees have confirmed that they have no connection to the emails, email addresses or phone number 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.