Alerts

Warning: Trademark emails misusing the name of Jerome Justin Watts

7 January 2026

Emails regarding purported intellectual property protection matters have been sent, misusing the name of a genuine solicitor Jerome Justin Watts.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent to a business, misusing the name of a genuine solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA (see below).

The correspondence informs the recipients that an application has been made, seeking exclusive rights to their company name or to a brand name used by the recipient. The correspondence invites the recipient to secure trademark registration of the company name and offers to assist with this process.

The correspondence seen by the SRA misuses the name of a genuine solicitor. The correspondence seen was sent from the email address 'justin@trademarksituk.com' and quotes the name 'Trademark IT UK', telephone number '+442045256348' and the postal address '233 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PF'.

Any business or transaction through the above name 'Trademark IT UK', the email address 'justin@trademarksituk.com', telephone number '+442045256348' and the postal address '233 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PF' 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 genuine solicitor called Jerome Justin Watts (SRA number: 164281).

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors with the name 'Trademark IT UK'.

Dr. Jerome Justin Watts has 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.