Central Paralegals Limited Scam Exposed on Rip Off Britain: Beware of “Jeremy Barlow” and Timeshare Cold Calls
Timeshare Owners Targeted by Cold Call Scams
On 18 April 2025, the BBC’s Rip Off Britain exposed Central Paralegals Limited, a company using aggressive and unregulated timeshare exit tactics. Alongside Solved IT Limited, they were named in a broadcast that revealed shocking practices targeting vulnerable consumers.
We are aware that our clients have been directly targeted by Central Paralegals Limited, who make cold calls falsely claiming:
•The client’s name is on a “timeshare register.”
•They will be sued unless they immediately hire one of the company’s so-called “expert lawyers.”
•Their “specialist consultant,” introduced as Mr Jeremy Barlow, could resolve the situation.
This is a deliberate scare tactic designed to push timeshare owners into paying thousands of pounds for services that are either unnecessary or never delivered.
Who Is “Jeremy Barlow”? A Fake Lawyer Exposed
During the BBC investigation, a caller identifying himself as “Mr Jeremy Barlow” (not believed to be his real name) claimed he was both:
•A regulated lawyer with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and
•A member of the Bar Standards Council who had represented clients in court.
However:
•No record of “Jeremy Barlow” exists with either the SRA or the Bar Standards Council.
•When confronted by BBC journalists, Mr Barlow abruptly terminated the call—but not before his false statements were recorded and broadcast to the nation.
This individual’s identity remains unknown, but the evidence shows he was not a regulated lawyer, despite his claims.
Central Paralegals Limited: Company Status and Vanished Website
•Incorporated: 9 February 2024
•Status: Active, but with a proposal to strike off on Companies House (official record).
•Website: Their site at centralparalegals.co.uk (where their privacy policy was once visible) is now offline and unreachable.
A company taking down its website immediately after exposure on national television is a major red flag.
Case Study: How We Helped a Client Recover Money Paid to Central Paralegals
One of our clients recently came to us after being drawn into a Central Paralegals scam contract.
•They had signed up with Central Paralegals Limited to terminate their timeshare.
•After months of silence, they attempted to contact the company but received no response.
•They later discovered their timeshare had already been terminated by the resort directly—something Central Paralegals had deliberately denied.
Shockingly, Central Paralegals told them that the termination confirmation email they received from the resort was “not correct” and insisted that they could finalise the process. Trusting the false claims, our clients made further payments to Central Paralegals.
Fortunately, after being instructed, we were able to investigate, establish the truth, and recover the money they had paid.
This case highlights the misleading tactics used by Central Paralegals Limited and why timeshare owners should only trust regulated companies when seeking assistance.
Why You Should Avoid Unregulated Timeshare Exit Companies
Scams like this follow a familiar pattern:
•Cold calls with urgent threats (debt collectors, legal action, “timeshare registers”).
•Large upfront fees—sometimes £10,000 or more—for so-called timeshare termination services.
•Untraceable operators—once exposed, websites vanish, companies dissolve, and staff disappear.
Central Paralegals Limited is just the latest example of a timeshare scam in the UK.
Safe Alternatives: Work With Regulated Solicitors
Unlike Central Paralegals, Sarah Waddington Solicitors are fully SRA-regulated and specialise in genuine timeshare disputes.
•Over 1,500 clients assisted in exiting unfair timeshare contracts.
•Nearly £8 million recovered for timeshare mis-selling victims.
If you’ve paid money to Central Paralegals or been contacted by a cold caller pretending to be a lawyer, you should seek regulated legal advice immediately.
What To Do If You’ve Been Targeted
1.Do not pay any upfront fees to cold callers.
2.Check regulation: Verify names against the SRA , FCA and Bar Standards Council registers.
3.Report scams to Action Fraud and Trading Standards.
4.Seek professional advice—contact Sarah Waddington Solicitors for expert & confidential support.
FAQs About Central Paralegals Limited and Timeshare Scams
Q: Is Central Paralegals Limited legitimate?
A: While Central Paralegals Limited is registered with Companies House, it is not a regulated law firm. It has been exposed on BBC’s Rip Off Britain for misleading timeshare owners with false claims and cold call tactics. Their website has since gone offline, and the company is facing a proposal to be struck off.
Q: Who is Jeremy Barlow from Central Paralegals?
A: “Jeremy Barlow” is the name used by a caller during Rip Off Britain’s investigation. He claimed to be a regulated lawyer, but checks with both the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Council found no record of him. His real identity remains unknown, and he was exposed on live TV for making false claims.
Q: How do timeshare cold call scams work?
A: Scammers often claim you’re on a “timeshare register” or that you’ll be sued unless you pay for termination services. They demand upfront fees—sometimes thousands of pounds—and then disappear, leaving you with no service.
Q: Can I recover money paid to Central Paralegals Limited?
A: Yes, recovery is possible. For example, we successfully helped clients who paid Central Paralegals despite their timeshare already being terminated. With our legal intervention, we recovered the funds on their behalf.
Q: How can I protect myself from timeshare scams?
A: Only deal with Regulated Companies . Do not trust cold callers, verify legal credentials on the SRA, FCA or Bar Standards Council websites, and report any suspicious activity to Action Fraud.
Final Word: Don’t Fall Victim to Timeshare Cold Call Scams
The BBC has shown the truth: Central Paralegals Limited and the so-called Jeremy Barlow used deception, intimidation, and false claims to pressure people into parting with money. Their website has vanished, their credibility is in tatters, and their “lawyer” doesn’t exist on any professional register.
As our recent Central Paralegals case study shows, victims can recover money with the right help—but only by turning to a regulated firm of Solicitors.
Stay vigilant. Don’t let cold callers or fake lawyers decide your financial future.
Sarah Waddington Solicitors
At Sarah Waddington Solicitors, we are proud to announce a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to support consumers trapped in unfair and unwanted timeshare contracts. We have now successfully helped over 1,500 clients exit burdensome timeshare agreements and have recovered close to £8 million in compensation related to mis-sold timeshares. To read more on this incredible milestone, visit https://sarahwaddingtonsolicitors.co.uk/news/celebrating-success-at-sarah-waddington-solicitors/
Need Advice? Contact Us Today
If you’ve been approached or pressured into a timeshare agreement this summer — whether in Spain, Tenerife, Portugal, or elsewhere — contact Sarah Waddington Solicitors today. Our team can provide you with clear, tailored legal advice and guide you through your options.
👉 Book your free consultation today and take the first step toward freedom.
📞 Call us now 01920 481 411
🌐 Visit our website