GDPR Lawyers | Data Protection Lawyers

Understanding GDPR

Data protection law has undergone significant change in recent years with the introduction of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) in the UK.

Despite Brexit, the GDPR is retained in UK domestic law through the DPA, and businesses must be proactive in their assessment of their data protection practices to ensure they are fully compliant.

Controlling personal data

In today’s climate, individuals have enhanced rights to control their personal data, and those who are handling personal data have extensive obligations to ensure those rights are respected and protected.

Failure to comply with these obligations means businesses risk reputational damage, loss of contract opportunities and the potential for significant fines – depending on the nature of failure to comply with the rules, fines issued can be up to £17.5 million or 4% of annual global turnover (whichever is greater).

Data Breaches

Our team can assist you in understanding whether your business has suffered a data breach and, where appropriate, advising on the next steps.
Data Breaches
Policies & Documents

We have a number of template policies and types of documentation to help your business comply with data protection law.
Policies & Documents
Auditing & Mapping

We can help you understand the flow of personal data within your organisation and implement any remedial actions to improve compliance.
Auditing & Data Mapping
Big Data & Technology

Our team advises on the deployment of big data technologies in compliance with data protection law.
Big Data & Technology
International Reach

We can help you ensure your data processing activities are fully compliant with GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act worldwide.
International Reach of Data Protection Law
Cyber Security

Our team can advise you on full compliance with the requirements to ensure your business is not at risk of cyber crime.
Cyber Security & Cyber Crime
Information Technology & Outsourcing

Our leading information technology lawyers can advise on all aspects of your business’s IT projects and contracts, acting for both UK-based and multinational organisations.
Information Technology & Outsourcing
Regulatory & Compliance

We support our clients in taking proactive steps to ensure their business does not fall foul of relevant ethics, anti-corruption and competition laws and regulations.
Regulatory & Compliance

In 2016, we were one of the first law firms in Scotland to become accredited Living Wage employers.
Shortlisted for Firm of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2022.
Winners of Corporate & Commercial Team of the Year and Family Law Team of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2020.
Our Real Estate team won the Property Team of the Year Award at the British Legal Awards in 2018.
Winner of SME of the Year at the Scottish SME Awards 2017, hosted by Scottish Business Insider.
Highly Commended for Commercial Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2016.
In 2019, MacRoberts achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification, a UK Government entry-level information security standard.
MacRoberts holds the ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management, the most widely recognised quality management system standard in the world.
MacRoberts holds the ISO14001:2015 certification for Environmental Management, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to environmental awareness.
MacRoberts holds the ISO27001:2013 certification for Information Security, an internationally recognised security gold standard.
Business continuity is a critical element of the Business Management System at MacRoberts and we hold full accreditation with the ISO 22301:2019.
MacRoberts is a member of IP Inclusive, a network of intellectual property professionals working to make our community more equal, diverse and inclusive.
We are active members of the PRIME Programme – an organisation that focuses on ensuring a career in law is open to talent from all economic and social backgrounds.
MacRoberts supports the Scottish Business Pledge, a values-led partnership between Government and business that is based on boosting productivity and competitiveness through fairness, equality and sustainable employment.
We are supporters of the Partnership for Change, a network of organisations and individuals who share a common ambition to improve diversity on boards and in senior leadership.
We are a member of the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI), a UK-based not-for-profit organisation which helps employers build and maintain diverse teams and inclusive cultures through our membership, training, and consultancy services.
MacRoberts was awarded enei's Silver TIDEMark for 2023. TIDE is enei's self-assessment evaluation and benchmarking tool which measures an organisation's overall approach and progress on diversity and inclusion.
MacRoberts is a Disability Confident employer, and are committed to disability equality across our firm.
MacRoberts fully supports flexible working practices and supports family-friendly working practices.
In 2022, MacRoberts received a Bronze Award in Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index for our commitment to LGBTQI+ inclusivity in the workplace.
MacRoberts is a longstanding member of Scotland Food & Drink, the leading trade association for Scotland's food and drink industry.
MacRoberts is an Associate Member of SELECT, Scotland's largest construction trade association.