The Law Society has warned solicitors not to ignore the introduction of GDPR.

Although research reveals that 44 percent of those asked thought GDPR would not apply to UK businesses after the UK has left the EU, this is not the case. The Society has set out four reasons why compliance is still not an option:

1. UK businesses will continue to provide services or sell goods in EU countries after Brexit,
2. GDPR applies to all companies offering services in the EU – whether they are based there or not,
3. The UK will remain a full member of the EU until the negotiations on withdrawal are completed, which is likely to be after the date set for the start of GDPR, and
4. The future relationship between the EU and UK is still unclear and if the UK chooses to join the European Free Trade Association, it will continue to participate in the single market and would continue to apply the vast body of the EU law.

More information can be found on the Law Society website at www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/blog/your-money-or-your-data-4-reasons-to-comply-with-gdpr/