Information Law

Our Information Law team provides advice to businesses and organisations across the public, private and third sectors on:

• data protection
• freedom of information
• environmental information

Data Protection

The requirements of UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 are of critical importance to any business, public authority, third sector organisation or social enterprise collecting, storing and using personal data. Especially with the increasing prevalence of ever more developed technological solutions in our day to day lives.

Data protection is a broad topic, and we have a team of experts with experience across a range of legal disciplines.

How we can help your business

We can:

• ensure you understand your data protection obligations
• assess your current compliance and identify actions
• prioritise your actions by applying a risk-based approach
• help you with practical solutions that will ensure compliance

Our team has expertise in:

• lawful data processing
• digital technology and data security
• transferring data
• commercial contracts with third parties
• employment data protection matters
• direct marketing
• cyber crime
• defending civil claims for compensation and breach of privacy
• reporting data breaches to the Information Commissioner’s Office

What if you do not comply?

The Information Commissioner (ICO) can issue monetary penalties for failing to comply with the relevant duties.
These can be up to £17.5 million or 4% of the total annual worldwide turnover.

For further information, you can read the ICO's guidance for organisations or read about 'data protection and your business' on GOV.UK.

Freedom of Information and Environmental Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) give individuals and companies rights to ask public authorities:

• whether they hold certain information
• to provide that information, unless a relevant exemption applies

A vast amount of information is potentially accessible under FOIA and EIR.

We provide advice to public authorities on:

• obligations in respect of the requests they receive
• availability of any exemptions
• terms of the response to the enquirer

Information law essentials webinar series

Our Information Law team host a webinar series covering the essentials you need to know when it comes to information law. Topics include data protection, Freedom of Information (FOI), environmental information law and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). 

find out more

Our experience 

Information law requirements can often be daunting and appear complicated. The expertise and experience in our team enables us to guide clients through the process of ensuring that processes are compliant. The size of our team and depth of our experience also enables us to provide you with a rapid and responsive service, ensuring that all relevant deadlines are met.

Regulated sectors

We have specialist expertise in highly regulated sectors including rail, technology, defence and housing., This requires us to understand and apply information law requirements in the context of the overarching regulatory requirements for these sectors.

Employment

We also have specialist expertise in data protection requirements specific to employment matters.

Cross-jurisdiction

We have a wealth of experience in providing advice to clients operating across multiple jurisdictions, both EU and non-EU. This enables us to ensure that your business or organisation meets information law requirements wherever you choose to operate.