High Court holds Lloyds does not have to comply with repetitive subject access requests

The High Court has dismissed a claim against Lloyds Bank alleging the bank’s failure to respond to an individual’s data subject access requests (“DSAR”) following possession proceedings.

Our specialist financial services litigation lawyers can advise you in claims against financial institutions and obtaining disclosure of relevant documents.

Lloyds obtains possession order against Claimant

Between 2010 and 2015, the Claimant, Silas Lees, entered into buy to let mortgages with Lloyds Bank Plc in respect of three properties. In 2019, Lloyds issued claims for possession against the Claimant and on 31 May 2019, Lloyds obtained an order for possession of each of the three properties.

On 25 June 2019, the Claimant applied for an order to stay execution of the possession order pending disclosure by Lloyds of a deed of assignment relating to the mortgages. The application was dismissed on 14 August 2019 by the Court as being without merit.

Bank’s alleged failure to respond to Claimant’s Data Subject Access Request (DSAR)

The Claimant issued a part 8 claim on 23 August 2019 against Lloyds Bank Plc for failing to provide an adequate response to various Data Subject Access Requests in breach of the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation. In fact, the Data Protection Act 1998 was in force at the time the Claimant made the requests.

The Court found that Lloyds had adequately responded to all of the Claimant’s requests and found against the Claimant stating that:

1. the DSARs issued were numerous and repetitive;
2. the data sought would be of no real benefit to the Claimant; and
3. the real purpose of the DSARs was to obtain documents rather than personal data to use in litigation against the bank and therefore the DSARs were abusive.

The Judge commented that even if the bank could be shown to have failed to respond to the DSARs, the Court still had a discretion as to whether to make an order and in this case there were good reasons for declining to exercise that discretion.

The Court dismissed the Claimant’s claim holding that it was “totally without merit“.

Read the full judgment: Lees v Lloyds Bank Plc [2020] EWHC 2249 (Ch)

What is a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR)?

A data subject access request is a request made by or on behalf of an individual, usually in writing, for the personal data to which he or she is entitled under Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In litigation, a DSAR can be a way to obtain documents from an organisation such as a financial institution in contemplation or in advance of commencing proceedings against that organisation.

What is the ICO?

The ICO is the UK’s independent regulatory body set up to uphold information rights. The ICO deals with complaints about organisation’s handling and processing of individuals’ personal data. The ICO also has a public register to find data controllers and organisations registered with the ICO under the Data Protection Act and Regulation.

How do I make a Subject Access Request?

Article 15 of the GDPR does not provide for a specified form of request. It is beneficial to make any request in writing so there is a clear record. An organisation may specify certain requirements for a subject access request. There is no longer a fee to make a subject access request.

The ICO has also published guidance on the right of access.

How can I obtain disclosure of information relevant to my claim?

If you have made a subject access request and an organisation has failed to comply, we can assist you in complaining to the ICO. We can also advise on making an application for pre-action disclosure or specific disclosure in litigation, whether the data controller is party or non-party in the litigation.

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