This update is provided in relation to the group action against the Chief Constable for damages arising from the PSNI data protection breach on 8 August 2023.
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Ahead of the liability-only hearing, which had been listed on 26th June 2024, the Chief Constable entered a defence which conceded primary liability in the case. There was no need for the hearing to go ahead, and matters were adjourned for further review by the Court on 24 September 2024. In the meantime, medical evidence is being finalised in the test cases, and we hope to have a date for a final hearing in the test cases soon. This hearing will establish the damages to be awarded in the test cases.
Each claim will still have to be considered individually in terms of the appropriate damages, considering that each plaintiff will have been affected differently. It may, therefore, take some time after a liability hearing to deal with each individual case, but we are committed to getting every client the best possible result.
What is the next step for me?
If you are a PFNI member, you should have received a questionnaire from the PFNI. Thank you to those who have already completed and returned the questionnaire. If you have not yet returned your questionnaire, we ask that you take some time to complete it and return it to the PFNI, who will, in turn, pass it securely to us.
If you are not a PFNI member, you should have received a questionnaire directly from Edwards & Co. Again, thank you to those who have already completed and returned their questionnaires. If you have not yet done so, please take some time to complete it and return it directly to us.
What if I haven’t received a questionnaire?
Firstly, please check your junk mail and spam folders to ensure that the email is not there. If not, and if you are a PFNI member, please contact the PFNI to confirm that you are registered and ask for a questionnaire to be sent to you.
If you are not a PFNI member and have not received a questionnaire, please contact us directly via email at psnidatabreach@edwardsandcompany.co.uk or by calling our office and speaking to Philip Gordon, Reece Lockhart, or Rachel Powderly.
Can I still join the claim?
Yes, you can still join the claim. If you are a PFNI member, please contact the PFNI to register with them. They will pass your name to us for addition to the claim and send you a questionnaire for completion and return.
If you are not a PFNI member, please get in touch with us directly.
How do I contact you if I have any queries?
If you have any queries from time to time, please email us at psnidatabreach@edwardsandcompany.co.uk or call our office and speak to Philip Gordon, Reece Lockhart, or Rachel Powderly.