Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name 'AJR Solicitors Limited,' and the names of individual solicitors
17 March 2026
Emails have been sent misusing the name 'AJR Solicitors Limited' and the names of Bryan Poultney, Richard Robinson and Nigel Griffiths.
What is the scam?
Emails have been sent that misuse the name 'AJR Solicitors Limited', the address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below) and the names of genuine solicitors (see below).
The SRA has also seen a document the recipient was asked to sign, which purports to be a retainer agreement for legal services, written in German, along with an invoice for alleged work. The recipient informed the SRA the documents related to supposed work on recovering funds under a loan agreement. Both documents falsely appear to come from 'AJR Solicitors Limited'.
The SRA no longer authorises a genuine firm named 'AJR Solicitors Limited', or that is still trading using that name (but see below in relation to a previous firm using that name).
The correspondence sent to the recipient is written to give the impression that work is being carried out when it is not. The recipient is then asked to pay fees by set deadlines, falsely claiming these payments are required to recover the funds, and instructed to open a bank account said to be necessary as part of the process.
One of the emails also includes a sort code and an account number that is falsely presented as the genuine firm's bank details, while in another the recipient is asked to deposit funds into a personal account in the name of “Ruth A”.
The emails misuse the names of genuine solicitors (see genuine details below) and were sent from the following email domains and email addresses:
- richard.robinson@ajrsolicitors.com
- nigel.griffiths@ajrsolicitors.com
- bryan.poultney@ajrsolicitors.com
The emails also include the website address 'www.ajrsolicitors.com' which is unreachable, the telephone number 0121 318 6409 and the address 41 Church Street, Birmingham, England, B3 2RT (see below in relation to the address).
Any business or transaction through the email addresses, website or telephone number mentioned above is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA previously authorised and regulated a firm of solicitors called AJR Solicitors Limited (SRA ID 545469), which ceased trading on 19 June 2013. Their genuine previous telephone number was 0121 643 5531.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called The Wilkes Partnership LLP (SRA ID 562799), whose genuine postal address is 41 Church Street, Birmingham, England, B3 2RT, and a genuine solicitor named Bryan Poultney (SRA ID 140402) who is a partner in The Wilkes Partnership LLP.
The genuine firm The Wilkes Partnership LLP and the genuine solicitor Bryan Poultney have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the emails or documents referred to in the above alert.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor named Nigel Griffiths (SRA ID 131064) and several genuine solicitors named Richard Robinson, none of whom are believed to be connected with the emails or documents 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.
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