Legal Aid Agency (LAA) Cyber Security Breach and Data Loss Notification
20th May 2025
We are informing you of a recent cyber security incident involving the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). As your legal representatives, and in line with our obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), we are providing this notice to explain what has happened, what it means for you, and what steps you may wish to consider.
What Happened?
The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has been affected by a significant cyber security breach. This incident is linked to a vulnerability in software provided by a third-party IT supplier used by several government agencies. The breach may have resulted in unauthorised access to personal data submitted to the LAA in the context of legal aid applications and case management.
The LAA has launched a full investigation with the support of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
What Data May Be Affected?
If your case involved legal aid, the information potentially accessed may include:
- Full name
- Contact details (address, email, phone number)
- National Insurance number
- Income and financial details
- Case reference numbers
- Information about your legal matter
Importantly, our internal systems have not been compromised. This breach pertains only to data held by or transmitted to the LAA.
What Are We Doing?
As your legal representatives, we are:
- Monitoring all developments relating to the breach.
- Reviewing the data shared with the LAA on your behalf.
- Supporting clients who may be impacted.
- Preparing to implement any guidance issued by the ICO.
What Should You Do?
No specific action is required at this time. However, we advise all clients to:
- Be cautious of unexpected communications requesting personal or financial information.
- Monitor bank accounts and credit reports for unusual activity.
- Contact us if you have any concerns about your personal data or your case.
Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the right to:
- Be informed about how your data is used
- Access the personal data held about you
- Request correction or deletion of inaccurate data
- Restrict or object to certain processing
- Lodge a complaint with the ICO
You can learn more at: https://ico.org.uk