Background

Mr Matthew McConville, Head of Irvings Law’s specialist Data Breach Department, has successfully represented a client in a claim for compensation against the Ministry of Justice. Due to confidentiality, the said client will be referred to as Mr E.

Mr E was involved in legal proceedings against his ex-partner concerning child maintenance payments following a breakdown in their relationship due to domestic violence whereupon he was the victim. Pursuant to his role in the proceedings, Mr E filed documentation with the Ministry of Justice that included his new residential address that he ex-partner was unaware of but the Ministry of Justice disclosed this to Mr E’s ex-partner by mistake when not properly redacting the same. Following complaint, the Ministry of Justice accepted the said error and apologised citing what they will do to ensure the incident is not repeated.

Representation

After this, Mr E approached specialist Data Breach Solicitors, Irvings Law, for assistance. Mr McConville immediately acknowledged that what happened was completely wrong and without hesitation, offered to act for Mr E by way of “no win, no fee” presenting a claim to the Ministry of Justice on the basis that his human rights to privacy were breached as well as GDPR and his confidence following this misuse of private information.

Resolution

Strangely, the Ministry of Justice did not respond to the claim so Mr McConville advised Mr E to commence Court proceedings which he followed. After doing this, the Ministry of Justice decided to engage in settlement discussions of which resulted in Mr E settling their claim in the sum of £6,000.00 plus the payment of his legal costs.