Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

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;...

UK GDPR: lawful bases for law firms processing third-party special category data—legal claims, ICO/Law Society guidance, consent and substantial public interest

Published by a LexisNexis Risk & Compliance expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note is aimed at law firms, though it may equally assist in-house lawyers. It examines the potential lawful bases under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) for Processing special category personal data relating to Third parties that is received in the provision of legal services. It reflects the UK GDPR and guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on the scope of the condition allowing processing where it is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims. For guidance on processing clients’ special category personal data, see Practice Note: Processing special category personal data of clients—law firms. For broader guidance on special category personal data, see Practice Note: How to identify and manage special category personal data.

Special category personal data is:

Personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership
genetic data
biometric data processed for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, or
data concerning 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...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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