Alerts

Warning: Website misusing the name and details of Fiona Apthorpe

24 October 2025

A profile has been set up on the website 'www.fiverr.com' misusing the name and details of a genuine solicitor and purporting to offer legal services.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen a profile on the freelance services marketplace Fiverr with the name 'Fiona Law'. This profile purports to be for an individual who is a 'UK family lawyer with 8+ years of experience in legal document drafting and review'. The profile continues to state that the individual can assist in a variety of legal services.

The SRA has also seen messages sent to a member of the public from the profile 'Fiona Law'. In the messages the individual misuses the full name and SRA number of a genuine solicitor.

Any business or transactions through the profile 'Fiona Law' on the website Fiverr 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 solicitor called Fiona Mary Karen Apthorpe, whose SRA number is 140083. The genuine solicitor is employed at the firm of solicitors Geldards LLP as a Partner.

The genuine solicitor has confirmed that she has no connection to website or profile 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.