Data protection
Our highly experienced data protection lawyers regularly advise companies of all sizes on a range of data protection and information management issues.
They advise on all aspects of information management and data protection involving commercial, intellectual property and litigation expertise. They carry out compliance audits, deal with ICO investigations and advise on the compliance issues surrounding direct marketing and the aggregation of data for commercial use.
As well as providing both contentious and non-contentious advice, the team is recognised for providing support that goes beyond straight-forward legal services. We provide training and support for our clients to ensure they are aware of, and compliant with, this ever-changing area of the law.
Freedom of information
Freedom of Information is complex area of the law and we advise on all aspects of this legislation which gives access to public sector information. We assist in drafting and advising upon Refusal Notices, decisions of the Information Commissioner and appeals to the Information Tribunal.
The Freedom of Information Act came into force on 1 January 2005 and was intended to be a further step towards open government. It provides a legal right for anyone to have access to information held by more than 100,000 public bodies. It means that any public body can be asked for all the information it has on any subject – and normally this should be provided within 20 working days.
We can assist in making applications under the Act and also explain the exemptions a public body can use to avoid providing information, as well as the role of the Information Commissioner in appeals and enforcing the Act.
We can advise you on:
- Whether your organisation is subject to the Freedom of Information Act
- Rights and obligations under the Freedom of Information Act
- Drafting Freedom of Information Act compliance policies
- Responses to Freedom of Information Act information requests
- The exemptions available under the Freedom of Information Act
- Drafting of Freedom of Information Act clauses in public procurement agreements