Alerts

Warning: 'Stamped' letter misusing the name and details of MRI Legal Ltd, and the name of Paula Cook

6 August 2026

A 'stamped' letter has been sent misusing the name and details of MRI Legal Ltd, and the name of Paula Cook, in relation to a commercial tenancy matter.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen a letter which has been sent, misusing the name of a genuine solicitor (see below) and the name and details of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The letter seen by the SRA relates to the purported surrender of a commercial (shop) tenancy agreement. The letter carries a bogus 'stamp' that misuses the name and SRA number of the genuine firm. The bogus 'stamp' is a circular stamp, featuring the firm name prominently at the top, with the genuine firm's previous address of 'Squires House, 81-97 High Street, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9AS' included in the stamp. The same old office address is also included in the header of the bogus letter.

The letter further misuses the head office address of the genuine firm of solicitors (see details below) in the footer of the letter. The letter also includes the email address 'paulacook@legalsolicitor.info', a telephone number of 08445851976 and a fax number of '08445851876'. A website address was also provided of 'https://mrilegal.co.uk/'.

Any business or transaction through the letter referred to, or the contact details or website 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 MRI Legal Ltd, a licensed body with SRA number 636150.

The genuine firm's head office address is The Granary, Great Sir Hughes Farm, West Hanningfield Road, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, CM2 7SZ. Its genuine telephone number is 01277 390 000 and the email domain used by the firm is @legalmri.com.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Paula Cook, whose SRA number is 408987 and who is a Director at the genuine firm MRI Legal Ltd.

MRI Legal Ltd and the genuine Paula Cook have confirmed that the firm does not have a 'stamp' for correspondence, and they have no genuine connection to the correspondence or matter 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.