Alerts

Warning: Trademark emails misusing the name of Rebecca Palmer, Rachel Cooper, Alex Lee and Middleton Legal Limited.

9 January 2026

Emails regarding purported intellectual property protection matters have been sent, misusing the names of genuine solicitors Rebecca Palmer, Rachel Cooper and Alex Lee.

What is the scam?

A variety of similar bogus correspondence has been sent to businesses, misusing the names of genuine solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA (see below).

The correspondence informs the recipients that a third party has approached them to register the name and logo of the recipient's business, seeking exclusive rights to their company name. The correspondence invites the recipient to secure trademark registration of their company name first and offers to assist with this process.

The correspondence seen by the SRA misuses the names and SRA numbers of genuine solicitors. The correspondence seen was sent from the email addresses  'rebecca@notice.middletonlegal.co.uk’, 'alex@notice.middletonlegal.co.uk’, 'rachel@notice.middletonlegal.co.uk' and quotes the firm name 'Middleton Legal Limited', the telephone number +44 2037699485, and the website address 'www.middletonlegal.co.uk'.

Any business or transaction through the above name 'Middleton Legal Limited', the emails of 'rebecca@notice.middletonlegal.co.uk', 'alex@notice.middletonlegal.co.uk’, 'rachel@notice.middletonlegal.co.uk' the telephone number +44 2037699485, or the website 'www.middletonlegal.co.uk' is not undertaken by a firm or solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a firm of solicitors with the name Middleton Legal Limited (SRA number 830390).

The SRA also authorises and regulates genuine solicitors called Rebecca Palmer (SRA number: 667853), Rachel Cooper (SRA number: 421486) and Alex Lee (SRA number: 504317).

Rebecca Palmer, Rachel Cooper, Alex Lee do not work for Middleton Legal Limited.

Rebecca Palmer, Rachel Cooper, Alex Lee and Middleton Legal Limited have confirmed that they do not have any 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.