Global Data Protection Standards
Last updated October 2025
Last updated October 2025
3. Definitions and Interpretation
7. The Accountability Principle
11. Internal Processing of Personal Data
12. Third Party Processing of Personal Data
15. Co-operation with EU Data Protection Authorities
16. Rights to enforce the Standards and rights of redress
18. Updating and Reviewing the Standards
Schedule 1 - Data Processing Activities covered by these Standards
Schedule 2 - Linklaters BCR Group Entities
Part 1 – Linklaters BCR Group Entities in Relevant EEA Countries
Part 2 – Linklaters BCR Group Entities in Non-EEA Countries
These global standards (“Standards”) define the standards applicable to the Linklaters BCR Group Entities in relation to Personal Data:
The Standards apply to:
The different types of Personal Data and the purposes for which, and the manner in which, they are Processed can be found in Schedule 1 (Data Processing Activities covered by these Standards).
These Standards, together with the declaration made by the Deed Poll, the data protection training provided to all BCR Group Entity staff on an annual basis and the BCR Group Entity Policies and Procedures demonstrate a commitment by the Linklaters BCR Group Entities to be bound by and to respect the Standards. All BCR Group Entity staff are contractually required to comply with these Standards and all BCR Group Entity Policies and Procedures. Failure to comply is a disciplinary matter, which will result in disciplinary action being taken against relevant employees.
The Firm recognises that the use and disclosure of Personal Data has important implications for it, as a firm, and for the Data Subjects concerned. Most of the Firm's offices operate in countries which regulate the use of Personal Data and impose restrictions on overseas transfers. For the Firm to operate effectively in a multi-national way, the Firm has developed good working systems of data transfer and compliance and has adopted a global approach to privacy compliance evidenced by these Standards.
As the Firm is a global firm, it operates across a number of jurisdictions and countries both within and outside of the EEA. Not all jurisdictions and countries have the same data protection laws and regulations, therefore, in all circumstances, unless Applicable Law dictates otherwise or requires a higher standard of protection for Personal Data each Linklaters BCR Group Entity will comply with these Standards. In the event that Applicable Law dictates a higher standard for the protection of Personal Data, the Firm will meet such standards to the fullest extent possible.
Definitions In these Standards the following terms and expressions have the meanings set out below save that if there is any conflict, apparent conflict or ambiguity in any of the terms set out below or any terms that are not defined in these Standards, such terms shall be interpreted in accordance with the GDPR:
Interpretation
The Standards will be made available on Linklaters LLP’s website and intranet. Any queries in respect of the Standards should be addressed to the following:
Postal address:
The Global Head of Regulatory Compliance
Linklaters LLP
25 Rue de Marignan
Paris
75008
Email address: data.protection@linklaters.com
Global Head of Regulatory Compliance | ||
Regulatory Compliance Team | ||
Data protection champions: | ||
| Business Areas: | Europe: | Rest of World: |
| Finance Learning & Development Technology HR Marketing Operations Risk Strategic Sourcing | UK Netherlands Belgium Luxembourg Sweden France Italy Spain Portugal Poland Germany | China Japan South Korea Hong Kong Thailand Singapore Indonesia China Russia United Arab Emirates United States of America |
Unless otherwise dictated by Applicable Law, when acting as a Controller, a Linklaters BCR Group Entity shall observe the following principles when Processing Personal Data.
Lawfulness, fairness and transparency
Personal Data will be Processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the Data Subject. Personal Data will not be Processed unless one of the following legal bases for Processing is met:
Purpose limitation: Personal Data will be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further Processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes.
Data minimisation: Personal Data will be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are Processed.
Accuracy: Personal Data will be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step will be taken to ensure that Personal Data which is inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which it is Processed, is erased or rectified without delay.
Storage limitation: Personal Data will be kept in a form which permits identification of Data Subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the Personal Data is Processed.
Integrity and confidentiality: Personal Data will be Processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the Personal Data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful Processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures.
Transfers of Personal Data outside of the EEA: A Linklaters BCR Group Entity will not transfer Personal Data outside of the EEA to any Controller or Processor which is not a Linklaters BCR Group Entity unless such transfers comply with the requirements of the GDPR. A Linklaters BCR Group Entity will not transfer Personal Data outside of the EEA to a Linklaters BCR Group Entity, unless and until the Linklaters BCR Group Entity outside of the EEA receiving the Personal Data has taken all necessary steps to ensure compliance with these Standards through the provision of training on the Standards to all relevant personnel and through commitment from senior management to comply with the Standards.
Accountability: When acting as a Controller, a Linklaters BCR Group Entity will maintain appropriate documentary evidence in order to demonstrate compliance with the GDPR and these Standards. Details of how the Firm complies with the accountability principle are set out in Section 7 (The Accountability Principle).
Each Linklaters BCR Group Entity will ensure that it maintains evidence of compliance with these Standards in the following ways:
In addition to complying with the Processing principles set out in Section 6 (Processing Principles) of these Standards, each Linklaters BCR Group Entity will:
It is the Firm's policy to respect the rights of Data Subjects and the Firm will act promptly and in accordance with the GDPR and Applicable Laws should any of these rights be exercised. A Data Subject may exercise any of their rights under these Standards at any time free of charge using the contact details set out in Section 4 (Access to the Standards) of these Standards.
In relation to the right to be informed set out below in these Standards, information will be provided to Data Subjects as set out in the timeframes in that Clause. In relation to all other rights, a Linklaters BCR Group Entity will respond without undue delay and in any event within one calendar month. In exceptional cases this one calendar month period may be extended by two further calendar months if the request is particularly complex and involves a large number of requests. If a Linklaters BCR Group Entity wishes to make use of this extension, a Linklaters BCR Group Entity will inform the individual within the initial one calendar month period with the reasons for the delay.
When it is relevant to the Processing undertaken by a Linklaters BCR Group Entity, a Linklaters BCR Group Entity will observe the rights of individuals and will comply with Linklaters LLP’s Global Individuals’ Rights Policy and associated documents. Details of the rights of individuals are set out below:
Taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of Processing as well as the risk of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons, each Linklaters BCR Group Entity will implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk of Processing, including inter alia as appropriate:
All Linklaters BCR Group Entities will comply with Linklaters LLP’s Global Information Security Policy, Global IT Policy and associated documents. In addition, the Global Internal Privacy Policy requires all staff to solely process Personal Data in accordance with the instructions of the relevant Linklaters Controller.
Linklaters LLP will procure that all Linklaters BCR Group Entities which Process Personal Data will follow the instructions of the relevant Linklaters Controller and will be bound by such instructions.
Before a Linklaters BCR Group Entity transfers Personal Data to a third party in furtherance of an outsourcing or other data processing arrangement or uses the services of a third party to Process Personal Data on its own behalf, it shall ensure that it complies with this Clause.
A Linklaters BCR Group Entity will:
All Linklaters BCR Group Entities will ensure that third party Controllers and Processors to whom Personal Data is transferred afford a similar level of protection for that Personal Data as the Linklaters BCR Group Entity.
Linklaters BCR Group Entities will not use Personal Data to send marketing information to any Data Subject (including any employee) who has requested not to receive marketing material.
If a Data Subject requests a Linklaters BCR Group Entity to stop processing their Personal Data for direct marketing purposes, the relevant Linklaters BCR Group Entity shall stop processing the Personal Data for those purposes in accordance with the deadlines specified by Applicable Laws.
Data Subjects are encouraged to make such requests via the forms provided for that purpose in the marketing materials, and may alternatively make any such request to their usual contact at the Firm or the Global Head of Regulatory Compliance (using the contact details set out in Section 4 (Access to the Standards)). In any event, such request can be made at any time free of charge.
Linklaters LLP’s Internal Audit Team and the Regulatory Compliance Team shall evaluate, test and report on the Linklaters BCR Group Entities’ compliance with the Standards. Such audits and monitoring take place on a rolling basis with audits scheduled for different teams throughout the year. Where any non-compliance with the Standards is identified in such audits, the relevant professional, from either the Internal Audit or Law and Compliance team, will work with the relevant business manager to design and implement remediation measures. The audit professional will then track the progress of the remediation measures.
Information from audit reports relating to compliance with the Standards will be sent to the Global Head of Regulatory Compliance and, where relevant, the Linklaters Risk Committee. Information on the results of audits will also be included in reports to Linklaters' Data Protection Executive Board and either Linklaters’ Executive Committee or any sub-committee of the Executive Committee to which the authority to review the results of such audits is delegated.
Subject to the section below, a Linklaters BCR Group Entity shall:
To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws a Linklaters BCR Group Entity will only disclose compliance information to a SA provided that: (i) such information relates to compliance with the Standards; (ii) the information does not contain any commercially sensitive information about or belonging to Linklaters LLP, any other Linklaters BCR Group Entity, or any of their respective clients; (iii) the information does not contain any confidential information about or belonging to a third party; (iv) the information is not subject to the law of privilege; and (v) disclosure of the information would not be contrary to Applicable Law. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in Section 14 above shall prevent a Linklaters BCR Group Entity from separating out the information in order to comply fully with the requirements of this Clause.
Each Linklaters BCR Group Entity shall respond to all requests for information from a SA on any issue related to these Standards to the extent that such requests are consistent with Applicable Law, regulations, professional standards and due process.
Each Linklaters BCR Group Entity shall respect the decisions and advice of a SA relating to the interpretation and application of the Standards to the extent consistent with Applicable Law, regulations, professional standards and due process and without waiving any defences and/or rights of appeal available to that Linklaters BCR Group Entity.
Data Subjects who believe that there has or may have been a breach of these Standards have the right to seek enforcement of the Standards and/or appropriate compensation for any damage arising from the breach. The right to seek enforcement and/or claim compensation is exercisable as a third-party beneficiary right and relates solely to the standards set out in the following clauses (referred to in these Standards as the “Enforceable Rights”):
The remedies available to Data Subjects for any breach of the Enforceable Rights are set out below.
Individuals may raise a complaint in relation to any breach of the Enforceable Rights under these Standards through Linklaters LLP’s Global Data Protection Complaints Procedure which is available on Linklaters LLP’s website and intranet. The Global Data Protection Complaints Procedure enables individuals to raise complaints in writing or by calling the telephone number set out in the Global Data Protection Complaints Procedure.Linklaters LLP has executed a Deed Poll as part of the process of implementing the Standards. As also set out in Linklaters LLP’s Global Data Protection Complaints Procedure, Data Subjects exercising their rights under the Standards shall be entitled to receive a copy of the Deed Poll, on request, on a confidential basis. For the avoidance of doubt, disclosure of the Deed Poll to a Data Subject’s legal representative will not be considered a breach of confidentiality. Further information regarding the Global Data Protection Complaints Procedure is available from the Global Head of Regulatory Compliance, whose contact details are set out in Section 4 (Access to the Standards). A Data Subject may raise his or her concerns with a SA or make a claim in court without having to go through Linklaters LLP’s Global Data Protection Complaints Procedure first.
A Data Subject may raise a complaint with a SA if the Data Subject considers that any of the Enforceable Rights have been breached. A Data Subject may raise their complaint either in:
Without prejudice to any available administrative or non-judicial remedy, including the right to lodge a complaint with a SA, a Data Subject also has the right to an effective judicial remedy where they consider that the Enforceable Rights have been infringed.
A Data Subject may bring proceedings against Linklaters LLP in relation to the Enforceable Rights either in:
A court chosen pursuant to this and the previous paragraph, being the “Selected Jurisdiction”.
Linklaters LLP is established in the European Union through branch offices that are established in the territories of a number of Member States (as detailed in Schedule 2, Part 1 of these Standards). Linklaters LLP Belgium has been nominated as the Linklaters BCR Group Entity established in the European Union that accepts liability for any breaches of the Standards by a Linklaters BCR Group Entity that is not established in the EEA. As such, Linklaters LLP Belgium accepts responsibility for and agrees to take the necessary action to remedy the acts of Non-EEA entities which are in breach of the Enforceable Rights and to pay any compensation due to a Data Subject for any material or non-material damages resulting from a breach of the Enforceable Rights by Linklaters BCR Group Entities.If a Data Subject claims that a breach of the Enforceable Rights has been committed by a Non-EEA Entity, Linklaters LLP Belgium shall be exempt from liability in whole or part if it proves that the Non-EEA Entity is not responsible for the event giving rise to the damage. If it is held that a breach of the Enforceable Rights has occurred, it shall be the responsibility of the Data Subject who brought the claim to prove that they incurred damage as a result of such breach and to prove the amount of such damage. (whether that be material or non-material damage) as a result of such breach and to prove the amount of any material damage.
To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Laws, Linklaters LLP shall not be liable to a Data Subject for:
provided that this shall not prevent a Data Subject from bringing a claim for non-material damage that arises directly as a result of a breach of the Enforceable Rights where such damage is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the relevant breach.
In any event, Linklaters LLP shall only be liable for damages which have been: (i) agreed by Linklaters LLP with the relevant Data Subject; or (ii) awarded against Linklaters LLP by a judgment, order, or by any other legal award of a court or tribunal with valid jurisdiction.
If a Linklaters BCR Group Entity has reason to believe that any Applicable Law prevents it from complying with the Standards and may have a substantial effect on the protections provided by the Standards, that Linklaters BCR Group Entity will promptly inform the Global Head of Regulatory Compliance (whose contact details are set out in Section 4 (Access to the Standards)) (except where prohibited by a law enforcement authority, such as prohibition under criminal law to preserve the confidentiality of a law enforcement investigation). Linklaters LLP will make a decision on how to proceed and will consult the relevant SA in cases of doubt.
Where a Linklaters BCR Group Entity is subject to any legal requirement in a third country (for example, any legally binding request for disclosure of the Personal Data by a law enforcement authority or state security body) which is likely to have a substantial adverse effect on the guarantees provided by the Standards, Linklaters LLP will make a decision on how to proceed and will report the problem to the relevant SA, providing details about the request, including information about the Personal Data requested, the requesting body, and the legal basis for the disclosure (unless otherwise prohibited, such as a prohibition under criminal law to preserve the confidentiality of a law enforcement investigation).
If a Linklaters BCR Group Entity is prohibited from making such notification to the relevant SA, the Linklaters BCR Group Entity will use its best efforts to obtain the right to waive the prohibition in order to communicate as much information as it can as soon as possible to that SA. The Linklaters BCR Group Entity will maintain evidence in order to demonstrate that it sought to obtain the right to waive the prohibition.
In the event that, despite using its best efforts, the Linklaters BCR Group Entity is still unable to notify the relevant SA of any legally binding request for disclosure of the Personal Data by a law enforcement authority or state security body, or similar requests, Linklaters LLP will provide to that SA on an annual basis, general information on the requests it received (for example the number of applications for disclosure, type of data requested, and requester if possible).
Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 17.1 to Clause 17.4 (inclusive), where a Linklaters BCR Group Entity is subject to any legal requirement in a third country (for example, any legally binding request for disclosure of the Personal Data by a public authority, law enforcement authority or state security body) which is likely to have a substantial adverse effect on the guarantees provided by the Standards such disclosure will not be massive, disproportionate and indiscriminate in a manner that would go beyond what is necessary in a democratic society.
Linklaters LLP shall notify the relevant SA in accordance with Section 18 (Updating and Reviewing the Standards) if Linklaters LLP determines that a change is required to the Standards to address the issue.
If any Applicable Law requires a higher level of protection for Personal Data than that set out in these Standards, the relevant Applicable Law will take precedence over these Standards in respect of that aspect of the Standards.
No Linklaters BCR Group Entity shall be responsible for a breach of the Standards, to the extent compliance with the Standards is prevented by Applicable Laws.
Linklaters LLP reserves the right to amend the Standards (including, without limitation, the addition of new Linklaters BCR Group Entity). Any changes to these Standards shall be reported to each Linklaters BCR Group Entity as soon as practicable and within three months of the amendment or variation. Any substantive changes to these Standards shall be reported to the relevant SAs without undue delay. Any other non-substantive amendments to these Standards shall be reported to the relevant SAs on an annual basis.
These Standards will be reviewed and updated as deemed necessary at least annually to ensure they continue to be accurate and relevant. Any amendments to these Standards will be posted on Linklaters LLP’s website and intranet.
Linklaters’ Regulatory Compliance team will be responsible for notifying Linklaters BCR Group Entities and relevant SAs of changes to the Standards and for ensuring that the Standards are reviewed on an annual basis.
| Data Transfers covered by these Standards | 1. In the context of its global practice, the Firm operates as a boundless firm and therefore Personal Data may be transferred between any of the Linklaters BCR Group Entities worldwide. The majority of the Firm’s processing of personal data that originates from within the EU is carried out at the two UK-based data processing centres (UK1 and UK2), which service the Firm’s offices in Europe. It is therefore likely that the bulk of data transfers out of the EEA will originate from transfers of personal data from Linklaters BCR Group Entities within the EU to the data processing centres in the UK. Onward transfers may then be made from the UK to the Firm’s remaining data centre in Hong Kong, which services the Asia region. 2. The Firm’s disaster recovery system necessitates additional replication between data centres to ensure data availability in the event of a data centre failure. Replication for key business systems such as email and the Firm’s document management system is as follows:
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| The nature and categories of Personal Data covered by these Standards | 1. The following categories of Personal Data are transferred by a Linklaters BCR Group Entity. Personal Data may also include Special Data:
2. The nature of the Personal Data transferred by a Linklaters BCR Group Entity is as follows:
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| Type of Processing and the purpose for the Processing covered by these Standards | Personal Data covered by the Standards is processed and transferred for the following core purposes:
Whilst the Firm does not routinely process Special Data, the following Special Data are covered by the Standards and transferred for the following core purposes:
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| Categories of Data Subjects covered by these Standards |
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| Identification of Recipients in Third Countries covered by these Standards | Please see Schedule 2 (Linklaters BCR Group Entities) for details of transfers to Linklaters BCR Group Entities in Non-EU Countries. |
Please use the links below to download the detailed information about Linklaters BCR Group Entities.