Our Work / 30 Park Place
Becoming the first UK chambers to achieve LOCS:23
The Problem: Struggling to Demonstrate Commitment to Data Protection
30 Park Place, the largest barristers’ chambers in Wales, is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of data protection and compliance. With increasing public concern regarding GDPR compliance in the legal sector, the chambers recognised the need to proactively enhance their data protection framework and were keen to demonstrate their commitment to secure data processing and to distinguish themselves as industry leaders.
However, in the absence of a recognised certification for the legal sector, demonstrating compliance was a significant challenge.
The Strategy: Pursuing LOCS:23 Certification for a Competitive Edge
To address this challenge, 30 Park Place set an ambitious goal: to become the first barristers’ chambers in the UK to achieve LOCS:23 certification.
LOCS:23 is the first sector-specific GDPR certification standard for the legal sector, approved by the ICO and UKAS. It has been specifically developed to enable law firms and barristers’ chambers to meet their UK GDPR obligations, and evidence to clients that their data is protected to the highest recognised standard.
By achieving this certification, the chambers hoped to enhance client confidence, minimise data breaches, and maintain a competitive advantage within the legal industry.
The Partnership: How Briefed Guided 30 Park Place to Success
Briefed partnered with 30 Park Place as their certification partner, guiding them through the entire LOCS:23 process.
Our support included:
- Conducting a deep-dive gap analysis of their data governance framework.
- Providing a clear, actionable plan to address compliance gaps.
- Delivering LOCS-compliant training to ensure all members met the required standards.
- Offering continuous support throughout the implementation and auditing phase to facilitate a smooth certification process.
- Follow-on advice and support on annual surveillance audits, supporting chambers with long term adherence to the standard.
Kayleigh Jefferies, Lead Civil Clerk at 30 Park Place, stressed the value of Briefed’s support and expertise:
“Briefed have been an immense asset from onboarding to becoming certified. Their guidance ensured that we were in the strongest possible position to achieve LOCS:23, while their ongoing support made the process seamless.”
The Achievement: Pioneering GDPR Compliance in the Legal Sector
Through their partnership with Briefed, 30 Park Place successfully became the first barristers’ chambers in the UK to achieve LOCS:23 certification. This major milestone positions them as pioneers in GDPR compliance within the legal sector. The certification provides multiple benefits, including:
- Strengthened data protection measures, reducing the risk of breaches.
- Increased assurance and client confidence in handling highly sensitive information.
- A competitive edge as law firms and local authorities begin to require proof of compliance.
Rebecca Harrington, Barrister and Treasurer of 30 Park Place, expects more chambers to follow suit:
“I don’t believe we are the only chambers to take this issue seriously. Others will soon recognise the value of LOCS:23 and will not want to be left behind.”
With a number of high-profile data breaches affecting the legal sector in recent years increasingly putting the spotlight on chambers and law firms strong GDPR compliance has never been more vital. 30 Park Place’s successful certification demonstrates the importance of taking proactive steps to ensure data security.
Interested in commencing your LOCS:23 journey?
Our in-house barristers are LOCS:23 consultants with extensive experience helping clients prepare for and pass the certification. We have a proven track record of success, assisting 30 Park Place and guiding other clients like 36 Group and Muckle to a successful LOCS:23 certification.
We have also undertaken the certification ourselves, successfully achieving LOCS:23 certification as a legal services supplier. This firsthand experience gives us unmatched insight into the requirements, challenges, and best practices needed for success.
Get in touch today and our team will assist you in assessing your current compliance levels against the LOCS:23 standard, discussing your internal processes and practices, confirming cyber measures, and providing an action plan to fill in any gaps missing in your compliance helping you achieve certification in as little as 8–10 weeks while ensuring long-term compliance.