The Act requires businesses that process personal information to
comply with its eight principles of data protection – which include
making sure that staff and customer records are stored securely,
used for the right reasons and are always correct and up to
date.
Most businesses processing personal data are also required by
law to notify, or register with, the Information Commissioner. The
fee is only £35 per year – although some small businesses that
process personal data for very limited purposes are not required to
notify.
According to the ICO, Mr Donner, a senior partner at the
matrimonial firm Feld Mckay and Donner, had been contacted by the
Information Commissioner more than five times over a period of two
years, but had still failed to notify.
Following a guilty plea at Bolton Magistrates Court, Donner was
fined £3,150 and ordered to pay £3,500 towards prosecution
costs.
"I am pleased that the magistrates' court has recognised the
seriousness of a failure to notify," said Information Commissioner
Richard Thomas. "Complying with the Data Protection Act ensures
that individuals' personal information is secure, accurate,
up-to-date and is processed fairly. This prosecution should remind
solicitors and other organisations of their responsibilities under
the Act."
