REUTERS | Louafi Larbi
February 14, 2018

100 days to go: focusing in on the core principles of the GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) will be implemented in the UK and across the EU from 25 May 2018. The build-up has been characterised by noise and scaremongering about fines and an endless supply of new GDPR ‘experts’.

However, whilst the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Article 29 Working Party have some useful resources, there has been a notable lack of practical guidance. So, unless you have spent the past six years following data protection reform and especially if you are feeling like a GDPR straggler with only 100 days to go, you might need some practical tips. Continue reading →

REUTERS |
February 12, 2018

Out of the darkness: new GDPR content on Practical Law

The mornings are getting lighter and reasons to be cheerful increase, including even in the world of data protection. “Steady on” I hear some say but a few headaches may subside at least with the news that the ICO has recently enhanced its guide to the GDPR. In doing so, it has shone some much needed light on a number of previously murky areas of the Regulation. These include:

  • More detailed explanation of the ICO’s expectations in relation to the documentation of processing activities (under Article 30).
  • Further clarity on what is expected in the event of a personal data breach (under Articles 33 and 34).
  • New guidance on what constitutes lawful processing, in particular in relation to performance of a contract with the data subject (Article 6(1)(b)), compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c)), protection of vital interests (Article 6(1)(d)) and performance of a task carried out in the public interest (Article 6(1)(e)).

For more information on these developments, see Practical Law Data Protection’s recent legal update.

Continue reading →

REUTERS |
February 5, 2018

Brexit: January 2018 round-up

Several Brexit-related Bills continued their passage through Parliament during January, including the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill 2017-19, the Trade Bill 2017-2019 and the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill. Near the end of the month, the General Council (Article 50) adopted a Council Decision and supplementary negotiating directives for the Brexit negotiations, which set out the EU 27’s negotiating position on a transition period.

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REUTERS | Kacper Pempel
February 5, 2018

AI revolution changing the landscape for brands

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not new. Cognitive scientist John McCarthy coined the term in his 1955 proposal for the 1956 Dartmouth Artificial Intelligence Conference, which gave birth to the field of AI.

In recent years, however, vast improvements in computing power and heavy investments by giant technology companies have brought about a revolution in AI which is rapidly gaining pace, creating a challenging new landscape for brand owners and the legislation they rely upon for protection.

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REUTERS | Global Creative Services (no copyright)
February 1, 2018

Securing the “new oil”: seizing the opportunities in an age of increasing data regulation

Described by some as the “new oil” for the digital economy, there is no doubt that data are now seen as critical for organisations to succeed. Data affect all businesses and industries, and dealing with data is an issue for the whole business as it affects every team within an organisation. Continue reading →

REUTERS |
January 29, 2018

What’s on the agenda for in-house lawyers in February 2018?

Key items on the agenda for businesses this month include the expected publication of secondary legislation on corporate governance reform and the deadline for responses to the FRC consultation on proposed revisions to the UK Corporate Governance Code.

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REUTERS |
January 29, 2018

Legal operations comes to London: key messages from the CLOC EMEA Institute’s inaugural London conference

CLOC EMEA Institute held its first London conference on 23 January 2018.

Since its formation in the US in 2009, CLOC has grown exponentially: see Blog post, The emerging disruptor: the legal operations team. Its forthcoming headline event in Las Vegas is expected to be attended by 2,500 people visiting 90 curated sessions.

Last week’s UK event was likewise action-packed, with sessions focusing on how attendees have applied aspects of CLOC’s twelve core competencies (from knowledge management through vendor management to data analytics), and exploring how legal operations professionals can assist in managing current high-profile issues such as GDPR implementation and the application of AI in the legal workplace.

For those unable to attend either event, here is a summary of the key takeaway points from last week.

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REUTERS | Vasily Fedosenko
January 25, 2018

Ask Bruce: answers on personal development for in-house lawyers

Bruce Macmillan, Founder Director of The Centre for Legal Leadership, answers questions on the personal development of in-house lawyers.

What are the available options for an experienced in-house lawyer who is considering their next career move (I’ve worked in-house for ten years)?

Continue reading →