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Processing definition

What does Processing mean? In data protection practice, processing describes any operation performed on personal data, from initial collection to final deletion. The term is defined in legislation: in the UK by the UK GDPR (retained EU law) and the Data Protection Act 2018, and in Ireland by the EU GDPR. It covers operations carried out by automated means or manually where the data form part of, or are intended to form part of, a filing system. Examples include obtaining or collecting; recording; organising or structuring; storing; adapting or altering; retrieving or consulting; using; disclosing by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available; aligning or combining;...

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UK GDPR for law firms: processing clients’ special category data—Article 9(2)(f) legal claims condition, ICO and Law Society guidance, and explicit consent

Practice notes
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This Practice Note is designed for law firms, though it may equally be of direct use to in-house lawyers. It examines the possible lawful bases under the UK General Data protection Regulation (UK GDPR) for handling clients’ special category personal data specifically. It mirrors the UK GDPR and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) current guidance on the reach of the condition that permits Processing of special category personal data, ‘processing necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims’. For further direction on processing special category personal data relating to third parties, see Practice Note: Processing special category personal data of third parties—law firms. For broader practical advice on special category personal data, see Practice Note: How to identify and manage special category personal data.

What is special category personal data?

Special category personal data is:

  • Personal data disclosing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership
  • genetic data
  • biometric data used for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person
  • data about health or a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation

See Practice Note: How to identify and manage special category personal data—What is special category personal data? To process special...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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