REPUTATION AND REGULATORY DISPUTES

DATA PROTECTION DISPUTES

Strategic advice for individuals, office-holders, organisations and businesses involved in contentious data protection matters, including access requests, complaints, investigations and disputes concerning the use or disclosure of personal data.

WHEN SHOULD LEGAL ADVICE BE SOUGHT?

Legal advice should be sought where a data subject access request has become contentious, a complaint has been made or threatened, disclosure of personal information is disputed, or data protection issues arise alongside employment, governance, regulatory or reputational proceedings.


These matters can involve competing rights and obligations, significant volumes of documentation and sensitive information. Early advice can help identify the applicable obligations, manage risk and determine an appropriate response strategy.

KEY ISSUES IN DATA PROTECTION DISPUTES

  • Data subject access requests
  • Scope of disclosure obligations
  • Redaction and third-party information
  • Confidential and commercially sensitive information
  • Data protection complaints
  • Regulatory correspondence and investigations
  • Use and disclosure of personal data
  • Employment-related data disputes
  • Governance and internal investigation records
  • Protected disclosures
  • Reputational issues
  • Litigation involving personal data

How o'Regan little solicitors llp can help

Our solicitors advise individuals, office-holders, organisations and businesses on contentious data protection matters and the wider disputes in which data protection issues frequently arise.


We assist with responding to and challenging data subject access requests, assessing disclosure obligations, advising on complaints and regulatory correspondence, and dealing with data protection issues arising from employment disputes, internal investigations, protected disclosures and reputational matters.


Our focus is on managing the legal obligations while protecting the client’s wider litigation, regulatory and reputational position.

Representative experience

Our solicitors' experience includes:


  • Advising on contentious data subject access requests.
  • Advising on the scope of disclosure and appropriate redaction of documents.
  • Advising on data protection complaints arising from employment and governance disputes.
  • Advising individuals and organisations on correspondence with regulatory bodies.
  • Advising where data protection issues overlap with protected disclosures and internal investigations.
  • Advising on the use and disclosure of personal information in contentious circumstances.
  • Managing data protection issues alongside defamation, employment and regulatory disputes.

frequently asked questions

What is a data subject access request?

A data subject access request is a request by an individual to obtain information about the processing of their personal data and, subject to applicable rules and exemptions, access to that personal data.


Does everything have to be disclosed?

Not necessarily. The scope of disclosure can depend on the nature of the information, the rights of third parties, applicable exemptions and the circumstances in which the data is held.


Can information about other people be redacted?

Third-party rights can be relevant when responding to an access request. Whether and how information should be redacted requires careful consideration of the particular documents and circumstances.


Can data protection issues arise during an employment dispute?

Yes. Employment disputes frequently involve emails, personnel records, investigation documents, access requests and allegations concerning the handling of personal data.


Can a complaint be made to the Data Protection Commission?

Complaints may be made to the Data Protection Commission where an individual considers that data protection law has not been complied with.


Can data protection issues overlap with defamation or protected disclosures?

Yes. The same factual dispute can involve data protection, reputation, employment, governance and protected disclosure issues at the same time.

discuss PROTECTED DISCLOSURE MATTER

If you require advice on a data subject access request, data protection complaint, regulatory issue or related dispute, speak with O’Regan Little Solicitors LLP.

relevant contacts and practice areas

Darragh O'Doherty - Fergus O'Regan


Protected Disclosures - Defamation - Senior Executive and Office-Holder Disputes

Regulatory and Reputational Risk - Employment Law - Litigation and Dispute Resolution