JUNE 2025 – ARTICLES & ITEMS OF INTEREST
JUNE 2025 – ARTICLES & ITEMS OF INTEREST
DPC PUBLISHES ITS ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024
On the 19 June 2025 the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) published its annual report for 2024. Some of the highlights of the 2024 Annual report, which covers the period from the 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 include:
2024 at a glance:-
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- The DPC received 24,306 electronic contacts, 6,751 phone calls and 1,095 postal contacts;
- Top 5 queries received through electronic and postal contacts were:-
- Non response to subject access requests
- Consent as a legal basis to process personal data
- How to make a subject access request
- Domestic CCTV
- Further processing of personal data by an organisation
- Top 5 queries received through telephone information desk were;-
- General guidance re GDPR legislation
- Domestic CCTV
- Guidance on how to make a subject access request
- Concerns regarding the processing of personal data
- How to submit a breach notification
- The DPC processed 11,091 new cases in 2024.
- The DPC resolved 10,510 cases. Of all cases received in 2024, 2,673 progressed to the complaint handling process.
- The DPC resolved 2,357 complaints through the formal complaint-handling process (Including 1,367 complaints received prior to 2024).
- 7,781 valid breach notifications were received by the DPC in 2024 (11% increase on 2023)
- 251 from the Voluntary and Charity Sector
- 3,137 from the Public Sector
- 3,958 from the Private Sector
- 50% of notified cases arose as a result of a correspondence being sent to the wrong recipient.
- In 2024 the DPC announced the commencement on new national and cross border inquiries into Biometrics, AI model and Security of sensitive health data.
- The DPC issued 11 finalised inquiry decisions resulting in administrative fines totalling €652 million during 2024. Multiple reprimands and compliance orders were also imposed.
- The DPC provided input and observations on over 56 pieces of proposed legislation in 2024, a significant increase on 2023, when this figure was 37.
This 126 page report also includes numerous case studies.
To view this report in full see https://www.dataprotection.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/2025-06/DPC_Annual_Report_EN_Low_Res.pdf
The DPC also published a case studies booklet https://www.dataprotection.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/2025-06/DPC_Cases_Studies_EN_Low_Res.pdf
RESULTS OF SURVEY ON THE IRISH SOLICITORS’ PROFESSION
In the June issue of the Law Society Gazette, Mark Garrett, Director General of the Law Society of Ireland, assesses the dominant trends from the Law Society’s second survey of the solicitors’ profession. In this article he looks at what are the major challenges for solicitors, how solicitors are facing them – and what opportunities lie on the horizon.
More than 1,660 practising solicitors responded to the survey and offered their views on where the profession might be in 2030.
In summary:-
The top five challenges revealed from the survey recognise the domestic and global environment:
- Cybersecurity and cybercrime – net: 88% challenging,
- Regulations and compliance – net: 82% challenging,
- Keeping pace with technology – net: 81% challenging,
- Recruitment and retention (legal staff) – net: 80% challenging,
- International political environment – net: 73% challenging.
The top five opportunities identified, as rated by the respondents, are:
- New technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) – net significant opportunity: 52%,
- Supporting employer against cybercrime (in-house practitioners): 49%,
- Growth in the Irish economy: 43%,
- Managing and using data: 38%,
- Alternative dispute resolution: 38%.
Practitioners using AI for work purposes:-
- 78% anticipate their use of AI in their work will increase over the next five years,
- 5% are using it every other day,
- 11% for weekly use,
- 45% of respondents have never used it.
In terms of the work of the Law Society, respondents have sent some clear requests:-
- 50% of solicitors believe that the Law Society is doing a good or better job;
- 17% think it’s poor;
- 33% say it’s ‘fair’.
There is little change in the top-five priorities that the Law Society should be focusing on:
- Representation of the solicitors’ profession (78%),
- Delivering high-quality education to trainees (72%),
- Contributing to and advising on new legislation, regulatory requirements, and law reform (70%),
- Maintaining high standards and regulatory compliance (67%), and
- Providing a good quality and relevant CPD offering (63%).
To view this article in full see https://www.lawsociety.ie/globalassets/documents/gazette/gazette-pdfs/gazette-2025/june-2025-gazette.pdf#page=37
SOLICITORS PROFESSIONAL DUTY WHEN USING AI
On the 9 June 2025, the Law Society of Ireland top stories referenced a High Court ruling in Britain which has laid bare the dangers of using AI in legal work.
It states the real risk of incorrect outputs produced by generative AI requires lawyers to check, review and ensure the accuracy of their work
A recent panel discussion in London heard that the emerging problem of fake citations was a consequence of lawyers failing to check their own work.
“You should be taking personal responsibility for what goes in your name, and that applies whether you’re a judge or you’re a lawyer,” said Court of Appeal judge Lord Justice Birss.
“You shouldn’t be putting anything to a court that you’re not prepared to put your name to.”
He said that AI should never be used to summarise a document that hasn’t been read.
‘You can use AI [to summarise], but you can only use it if you have read the document. What you can’t do, is not read the document, and then get AI to summarise it. That’s crazy,” the England and Wales Gazette reports.
To view this article in full and links to the high court ruling, see https://www.lawsociety.ie/gazette/top-stories/2025/june/ai-doesnt-replace-professional-duty/
LQSI COMPLIANCE SERIES 2025 – CYBER WEBINAR
On the 25 June 2025, the LQSI hosted a Cyber webinar presented by Andrew Harbison, Director of Digital Investigations and Analytics at the Corporate Enforcement Authority.
The webinar covered key areas including: –
- Human Risk – Cyber Attacks making use of Human Foibles
- Phishing – Cyber-attacks through organisations email systems
- Ransomware – Computer and Network Hijacking
If you missed this webinar, it will be available to view in the members’ area of the LQSI website.
See www.lqsi.ie
LSRA PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024
On the 26 June 2025 the LSRA published its 39-page annual report for the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.
2024 at a glance: –
- 2,820 phone calls and emails requesting information and/or complaint forms;
- 1,476 complaints received (up 14% – 1,290 last year) (1,410 relating to Solicitors and 66 relating to Barristers);
- 1,474 complaints closed during 2024;
- 621 complaints deemed inadmissible
- 143 complaints upheld
- 182 complaints not upheld
- 324 complaints resolved between the parties with assistance of LSRA
- 61 Withdrawn
- 115 Other
- 57 complaints of misconduct referred to the LPDT
- 18 applications to the High Court for orders to enforce its directions in complaints against legal practitioners and 18 orders granted
[There are 1,503 outcomes in the above Complaints Closed statistics, 29 more than the total number of closed complaints, which is 1,474. That is because 29 complaints were on mixed grounds (they contained more than one of the three statutory grounds) which can have multiple outcomes.]
There have been a total of 509 LLPs authorised since November 2019 when LLPs were introduced. All partners listed on the LSRA’s LLPs Register are provided with limited liability and their personal assets are protected from the negligence of other partners.
The LSRA can receive and investigate three types of complaints about solicitors and barristers – relating to alleged misconduct, inadequate legal services, and excessive costs (overcharging). Some complaints are categorised as mixed complaints, combining two or more of these three statutory grounds.
All Grounds for Complaints: –
- 762 Misconduct only
- 350 Inadequate Legal Services only
- 23 Excessive Costs only
- 194 Misconduct & Inadequate Legal Services
- 13 Misconduct & Excessive Costs
- 79 Inadequate Legal Services & Excessive Costs
- 55 Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Services & Excessive Costs
The report contains a chart showing the type and quantity of misconduct complaints, e.g. bringing profession into disrepute, failure to communicate, failure to handover, delay, fraud & dishonesty, failure to account, undertaking, substantial inadequate services, failure to pay counsels fees, conflict of interest.
The report also shows a breakdown of the number of complaints received per county.
Commenting on the report, LSRA Chief Executive, Dr Brian Doherty, said:
“In 2024, the LSRA handled a 14% increase in complaints which was largely due to a high volume of complaints by banks in relation to failures by solicitors to comply with undertakings.”
To view this report in full see https://www.lsra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LSRA-Annual-Report-2024-FINAL.pdf
UK FIRM FINED – AML COMPLIANCE FAILINGS
On the 16 June 2025 it was reported on the Law Society of England and Wales website that another firm had been hit with a heavy turnover-based fine over AML compliance failings which the Solicitors Regulation Authority found continued for almost six years.
The regulator accepted that no harm was caused by the breaches of Kent firm T G Baynes Solicitors, but said that that non-compliance had persisted for longer than was reasonable.
It was deemed appropriate to fine the firm 1.6% of its annual domestic turnover. After a 30% reduction to take account of mitigation, the fine was £63,869. A further costs order was made for £1,350.
From June 2018 to May 2024, the firm failed to establish and maintain AML policies, controls and procedures. It also failed to conduct client and matter risk assessments over this period.
The SRA said: ‘The firm was responsible for its own conduct which was serious and had the potential to cause harm to the public interest and to public confidence in the legal profession. Any lesser sanction would not provide a credible deterrent to the firm, and others. A credible deterrent plays a key role in maintaining professional standards and upholding public confidence.’
The firm co-operated fully with the SRA’s investigation and there was no evidence any harm. The regulator was able to exceed its £25,000 fining limit because T G Baynes is an alternative business structure.
To view this article in full see https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/sra-hits-another-firm-with-64000-fine-in-aml-blitz/5123602.article
UK – GOVERNMENT PLEDGES CLEARER NEW AML RULES FOR LAW FIRMS
On the 24 June 2025, the Law Society of England and Wales published an article stating ‘the government will bring forward a package of changes to money laundering regulations by the end of this year, it emerged this week.
The revised regulations, to be introduced by the Treasury, will be ‘clearer and more proportionate’ and will form part of plans to boost the professional services sector.
The legal profession has been in the firing line of a blitz of money laundering regulations which have tightened in the last 10 years. Dozens of firms have been fined five-figure sums as the Solicitors Regulation Authority has sought to enforce these regulations, but some within the profession have said the new regime is too punitive and imposes a disproportionate burden.
The government’s strategy states that MLRs are a vital tool in safeguarding against money laundering and terrorist financing risks in the professional services sector……, but it adds that regulations have to be proportionate to the risks involved. The paper acknowledges that AML checks are seen as a ‘major burden’ to law firms.
There are no details about what the regulation changes will be, only that the Treasury will unveil a package of changes aimed at improved their effectiveness. This will include embracing digital technology to streamline checks and processes for firms and clients.
To view this article see https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/government-pledges-clearer-new-aml-rules-for-law-firms/5123673.article
In a further article on the 26 June 2025, the article states how three conveyancing firms have been fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority over anti-money laundering breaches – in the same week as the government acknowledged these regulations should be changed.
Firms were fined £23,549, £9,179 and £9,656 for AML breaches.
To view this article and see the AML breaches see https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/three-more-firms-hit-with-aml-fines-by-sra-as-changes-loom/5123697.article