In today’s digital world, businesses of all sizes collect, process, and share large amounts of personal and commercial data. Whether it’s customer contact details, employee records, or sensitive financial information, data must be handled carefully and lawfully. Mishandling data can lead to fines, reputational damage, and even lawsuits.
At ApexCounsel, we offer expert legal advice UK businesses can trust when dealing with data sharing, privacy compliance, and risk management. Whether you need help with intellectual property legal services, commercial contracts advice, or protecting data in the construction sector, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Why Data Privacy Matters
Data privacy isn’t just a regulatory box to tick—it’s about building trust with customers, employees, and partners. The introduction of laws like the UK GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and the Data Protection Act 2018 means that businesses must:
✅ Collect data lawfully
✅ Be transparent about how they use data
✅ Keep data secure
✅ Avoid sharing data without proper consent or legal basis
Failing to comply could result in ICO investigations, fines of up to £17.5 million, or 4% of your annual global turnover—whichever is higher.
What Is Data Sharing?
Data sharing means disclosing personal data to another organisation or individual, either externally (e.g., a supplier or subcontractor) or internally (e.g., between departments). It’s legal if done with the right safeguards in place.
Examples include:
- Sharing employee data with a payroll company
- Passing customer information to a delivery partner
- Sharing subcontractor data in a construction project
To protect your business, you should get legal advice to understand when and how to share data legally.
Best Practices for Safe Data Sharing
1. Identify the Purpose
Only share data when there’s a clear, lawful reason to do so. Common reasons include:
- Fulfilling a contract
- Meeting legal obligations
- Gaining consent
- Legitimate business interests
If you’re unsure which legal basis applies, ApexCounsel can provide tailored legal advice UK businesses rely on to remain compliant.
- Create a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA)
A Data Sharing Agreement outlines:
- Who is sharing the data
- What data is being shared
- Why it is being shared
- Security measures in place
- Responsibilities of each party
This is particularly important in sectors like construction, where multiple contractors and suppliers access shared information.
At ApexCounsel, we help businesses draft watertight DSAs, offering:
✔ Commercial contracts advice
✔ Contractor legal advice for secure project delivery
✔ Construction legal advice to manage shared responsibilities
- Limit the Data You Share
Follow the principle of data minimisation—only share data that is strictly necessary for the purpose. For example, don’t send full customer records if only names and addresses are needed.
- Secure the Data
Implement strong security practices like:
- Password protection
- Encrypted emails
- Secure cloud storage
- Access control for authorised personnel only
Legal Tip: If a breach occurs while sharing data, your business could be held liable. Get legal advice to understand your obligations and limit risk exposure.
- Respect Intellectual Property and Confidentiality
Data isn’t just personal—it can also include proprietary business information, designs, or technology. Businesses need to protect confidential and intellectual property when sharing such data.
We offer:
✔ Intellectual property legal advice to safeguard your assets
✔ Trademark legal services and patent legal advice when your brand or inventions are at risk
✔ Trademark legal help in case of misuse of proprietary content during data sharing
Industry-Specific Considerations
Construction & Contracting
Projects often involve data exchange between multiple parties—developers, contractors, subcontractors, and consultants. Clear roles and responsibilities for handling data must be outlined.
ApexCounsel provides:
✔ Construction legal advice on GDPR-compliant processes
✔ Contractor legal advice for managing worker and project data
Technology and Innovation
If your business uses AI, software, or digital platforms, your data sharing must also consider IP rights and system access protocols.
ApexCounsel helps by offering:
✔ Intellectual property legal services for tech companies
✔ Trademark legal advice for digital platforms and products
✔ Patent legal advice to protect software and algorithms during collaborations
Why Choose ApexCounsel?
At ApexCounsel, we understand that data sharing and privacy compliance are not one-size-fits-all. Our approach is tailored, practical, and industry-specific. We offer:
✔ Legal advice UK businesses need to comply with data protection laws
✔ Commercial contracts advice to ensure secure and lawful data sharing
✔ Support across construction, tech, retail, and professional services
✔ Trademark legal help and patent legal advice for innovation-based businesses
Handling data responsibly isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting your brand, your customers, and your business reputation. With regulations tightening and customer awareness growing, now is the time to review your data-sharing practices.
Get legal advice from ApexCounsel today to ensure your data processes are safe, compliant, and future-proof.
👉 Visit ApexCounsel’s website to learn more and speak with a legal expert.
