The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into force in May 2018, created a new and higher standard of compliance than applied previously for organisations collecting and using customer data. Whenever you collect and use identifiable personal data about customers (like name, email, address and preferences) you need to stay compliant with the law.
During the Brexit transition period which lasted from January 2020 to 1 January 2020 (EU Exit Day), the GDPR applied to UK organisations as it had done since its implementation in May 2018. As with many other EU laws, the principles and regulations of the GDPR were transposed into what is now known as the UK GDPR. From Brexit Day, the EU GDPR ceased to apply to UK personal data; however, it continues to apply to EU personal data processed by UK-based organisations.
If you don’t comply with the UK GDPR, you can be fined by the regulator (the ICO - Information Commissioner’s Office) – up to 4% of your turnover. Or, even more worryingly, the ICO can issue a ‘Stop Now’ order, which prevents you from collecting or using personal data at all, either permanently or until you have complied with their requirements.
As a business owner (or as the person responsible for data protection in your organisation), you understand the importance of safeguarding your customers' data and complying with the GDPR. However, navigating the complex world of data protection can be daunting, and that's where our highly experienced data protection lawyers step in to offer practical and tailored legal solutions.
The world of data protection is constantly evolving, and the legal landscape can be challenging to navigate. That’s why you need expert guidance to ensure your operations comply with data protection laws. Our GDPR lawyers offer a range of services that will safeguard your business and put your customers' minds at ease:
Understanding GDPR in theory is one thing, but knowing how it affects your day-to-day operations is another. Our data protection solicitors will provide clear and concise guidance on how GDPR applies to your specific business, ensuring you remain compliant in all aspects of your operations.
We offer a comprehensive GDPR health check that assesses your business's data protection practices. This check highlights areas that need improvement and provides you with an actionable plan to enhance your data protection measures.
Determining whether you are a 'Data Controller' or 'Data Processor' is vital, as different obligations apply to each role. Our expert data protection lawyers will help you identify your status and ensure you fulfil the correct responsibilities.
Having legally sound contracts between Data Processors and Data Controllers is crucial for GDPR compliance. Our data protection lawyers will assist you in setting up robust contracts that protect both your business and your customers/and or partners.
GDPR has implications for Employment Contracts too. Our legal team will ensure your Employment Contracts align with data protection laws, providing you with peace of mind.
Creating essential policies, such as Data Protection Policy, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Security Policy and Retention Policy, is critical for GDPR compliance. Our data protection lawyers will draft and review these policies to ensure they meet all legal requirements.
Dealing with Data Subject Access requests can be time-consuming. Our GDPR solicitors will guide you through the process, making sure you respond appropriately and within legal timeframes.
In the unfortunate event of a data breach, our team will support you in handling the situation professionally, mitigating potential risks and ensuring compliance with data breach notification requirements.
A Data Impact Assessment is a vital process that helps your business identify and mitigate potential risks associated with processing personal data. Our GDPR lawyers will guide you through a thorough and tailored Data Impact Assessment process designed specifically for your business.
Obtaining valid consent from your customers to collect and use their data is essential. Our lawyers will advise you on how to gain compliant consent to protect your business and your customers.
We understand the value of your time. To streamline GDPR compliance, we provide access to legal and business document templates, helping you set up GDPR contracts efficiently.
At LawBite, we go beyond just ensuring GDPR compliance. We offer a broad spectrum of legal services, including handling data protection claims. In case of data breaches or data protection violations, our team of dedicated data breach solicitors will work tirelessly to protect your business from financial loss and reputational damage.
We’re committed to making legal services accessible and user-friendly for businesses like yours. Our customer-centric approach means that we value your satisfaction above everything else. We strive to build lasting relationships with our clients based on trust, transparency and exceptional service.
If you're looking for expert GDPR solicitors who truly understand the needs of your business, LawBite is here for you. Book a free 15 minute consultation with one of our lawyers to discuss your data protection requirements and take the first step towards GDPR compliance and enhanced data protection for your business.
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LawBite is the modern way for SMEs to get the high quality legal advice they need, but faster and cheaper.
As we look to revolutionise the traditional legal process, this may raise a number of questions on how we operate to provide your business with legal advice for your business that is; easier to access, clearer to understand and more affordable.
We have brought together the most frequently asked questions from our customers.
In the UK, the GDPR replaced the Data Protection Act 1998.
The GDPR is an EU wide piece of legislation that (once passed by the EU institutions) directly applies and is enforceable at national level. This means that the nation state (for example the UK) doesn’t need to introduce national legislation to bring the GDPR into force. This means that the rights protecting individuals which are set out in the GDPR (for example on subject access).
However the UK (and other member states) have passed supplementary national legislation (such as the Data Protection Act 2018) to deal with national issues such as additional powers for the state or the regulator (ICO in the UK) as well setting out the powers and responsibilities of the national regulator (such as the power to levy registration fees). So the GDPR and the DPA2019 effectively sit along side each other.
The GDPR requires organisations who process personal information (known as “personal data”) relating others to keep that data safe, and to only process the data if they have lawful grounds to do so.
In summary, the GDPR obliges organisation who processes personal data to protect that personal data and only process it if they have lawful grounds to do so (including being transparent about what data is held and why and what is done with it, only processing the data for the purpose for which is was collected, only processing – collecting- the minimal amount of data needed for the lawful processing and making sure that the organisation has appropriate technical and organisational measures in place to protect .
Yes. All organisations (which includes sole traders, charities, partnerships and limited companies) who process personal data must comply.
If processing personal data is not a “core” part of business (integral to the business) and the activities does not create any risks for individuals’ personal data, then an organisation might be exempt from some of the GDPR obligations this must be viewed on a case by case basis.
Personal information should be kept for no longer than it is needed. Organisations will need to be able to justify why (and how) they hold persona data and for how long.
Ideally organisations will implement a Data Retention Policy which set out standard retention period where possible. If data can be anonymised, it might be acceptable to keep that data for longer than usually appropriate but organisations should have carried out a data privacy impact assessment (a risk assessment) to assist them reaching the decision to retain data for the relevant period and to document how the organisation reached that decision.
GDPR is trying to achieve protection for individuals’ personal information. It is also trying to achieve minimum standards of protection for that information across the European Union.
The GDPR applies to all organisations (which includes sole traders, charities, partnerships and limited companies) who have a branch in an EU member state or if the organisation is based outside the EU, then if that organisation either “processes” personal data in the European Union or if customer, employees, users etc are based in the EU. “Processing” includes if the data is in transit, stored, or otherwise.
