Barristers Chambers
Chambers today operate in an environment where data protection failures are treated not as operational oversights, but as governance failures. With ransomware attacks increasing and insurers tightening their requirements, unmanaged legacy media has become one of the most significant and least visible risks facing chambers.
Across the sector, we consistently find that legacy devices often forgotten these include:
That old, replaced PC now used as a book stand stored informally, or kept “just in case” still containing confidential case files, personal data, passwords, and network information.
The ‘Kids playroom iMacs or home devices used for urgent drafting when the laptop was left in chambers, retired firewalls and network appliances, containing years of logs and credentials legacy servers and NAS devices, USB sticks, mobile phones, CDs, and even old floppy disks.
These items accumulate because chambers are busy and decentralised, but the risk they create is real, material, and escalating any one of these can trigger a reportable breach, an ICO investigation, or an insurance repudiation if not handled correctly.
Leadership Accountability: Demonstrable Control... Not Assumptions
Under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, chambers must be able to demonstrate that they have taken reasonable, documented steps to destroy data that is no longer required. Retaining unnecessary data is itself a breach. Failing to destroy it securely is another.
In the event of a cyber incident, subject access request, regulatory audit, or an insurance claim leadership will be expected to show evidence of a structured, compliant destruction process.
Simply discarding equipment or assuming it is harmless because it is old or non‑functional will not satisfy regulators or insurers.
GDPR requires data minimisation retaining unnecessary data is a breach a single overlooked device can trigger a six‑figure ICO penalty and reputational damage.
A Strategic, Chambers‑Focused Risk Reduction Programme We provide a fully managed destruction service designed to reduce risk quickly and with minimal operational burden on chambers management.
Chambers‑Wide Media Amnesty A proven, highly effective method for rapidly reducing risk. We provide a secure wheelie bin for members and staff bring in old devices and storage media, which we catalogue, collect, and destroy securely. Even non‑functioning equipment can contain recoverable data and must be treated as a risk.
Full Project Management For chambers without the internal IT capacity, we manage the entire process - including liaising directly with members and arranging home collections where required.
Operational Support We can provide porters for heavy lifting and technicians to prepare and set up equipment for assessment by your staff. Once approved, we remove and destroy all obsolete media.
Our Certified Destruction Service Includes: Compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and ICO guidance Your data is irretrievably destroyed using audited, industry‑standard processes. Offsite Destruction Using Ubunta Shredding Technology the highest standard of destruction available. All media is sealed, tracked, transported securely, and destroyed. One‑off cleanse with recommended scheduled collections available.
Environmental Compliance All materials are recycled responsibly in line with WEEE obligations.
Full Certification You receive detailed certificates of destruction for audit, regulatory, and insurance purposes.
Why Senior Leadership Should Act Now Members expect chambers to be provided with a secure, compliant operating environment. Even if the breach is the Members fault the reputational damage is to the collective chambers brand. Insurers increasingly require proof of secure disposal; lack of evidence can invalidate claims.
By partnering with Destroytech, you will materially reduce your exposure, demonstrate compliance, and protect both chambers and members from avoidable and potentially severe consequences.
