Ministry of Justice
We read the privacy notices published across central government, councils, tax and benefits offices, health bodies and policing. These are the patterns that repeat. A public body is not a company and you are not its customer: it holds your record because a law lets it, which changes what you can ask for and what you can expect back.
Reported incidents
Court staff opened files on Southport attack victims without authorisation
2026-09-15Affected HM Courts and Tribunals Service case files
The Ministry of Justice said staff at HM Courts and Tribunals Service opened files about the victims, survivors and families of the 2024 Southport attack without authorisation. For some people the files held information the ministry judged a high risk to their rights. It found no evidence the data was shared outside, is contacting everyone affected, and has told the Information Commissioner's Office. The ministry said it was "appalled that this happened" and that "all wrongdoing will be met with extremely firm action." It did not say how many people or staff were involved.
Legal aid applicants' records since 2010 taken from the Legal Aid Agency
2025-05-19Affected Legal Aid Agency online digital service
The Legal Aid Agency, part of the Ministry of Justice, said on 19 May 2025 that attackers had downloaded a large amount of data on people who applied for legal aid in England and Wales through its digital service since 2010. The data may include contact details and addresses, dates of birth, national ID numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial details such as contributions and debts. The agency took the service offline and obtained a court injunction against use of the data. It later said records back to 2007 may have been reached.
People affected typically ask Ministry of Justice to confirm whether their information was included, and which categories.
The verified route
DÆTRAX is a personal data accountability ledger: a dated record of which companies hold your personal data, what you asked them to do about it, and what they claimed in reply.