Join this CPD training online at the specified time
29 hours verifiable CPD
Develop a strong understanding of data protection legislation and compliance while achieving Law Society of Scotland certification and obtaining a certificate (Data Protection (GDPR) Practitioner Certificate) awarded by Qualifi.
The course assumes little or no previous knowledge of data protection and will cover, in a practical context, the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003, as updated by the the Data (Use and Access) Act. The main points of this legislation will be explained with an emphasis on practical aspects of compliance.
It will take place over eight half-days (13.00-16.30) and will comprise of lectures, discussion and practical exercises. At the end of the course, you will be expected to complete a multiple choice test which, once passed, will allow you to receive your LSS certification and your Qualifi certificate.
The description below should be taken as indicative and the precise content of the course will reflect any ongoing developments.
What will you gain from completing this course?
Completing this course will help you to:
- Understand the importance of data protection legislation and compliance in the UK
- Interpret key terminology of the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) in a practical context
- Understand the key obligations of the UK GDPR and DPA
- Create policies and procedures necessary for data protection compliance and accountability
- Carry out a data protection audit and gap analysis
- Develop an action plan to address a data protection gap analysis
- Respond appropriately to data protection issues arising in an organisation
- Carry out the duties of a data protection officer effectively
What is the Data Protection (GDPR) Practitioner Certificate?
Alongside use of our Law Society of Scotland marque and your certification, successful completion of this course will award you with The Data Protection (GDPR) Practitioner Certificate.
This is an internationally recognised qualification, endorsed by Qualifi, which is regulated by Ofqual. It equips current and aspiring data protection officers and data protection managers with knowledge and skills to undertake data protection compliance activities throughout an organisation. It is a valuable course for anybody with data protection compliance responsibilities.
Who is this course for?
The course is suitable for members, or non-members, working in all areas of the profession from high street to big firm, and in-house, with a responsibility for data protection. The course assumes no prior knowledge but you will come away with a expert understanding of data protection issues.
This course is for you if:
- You are already acting as a data protection officer (DPO)
- You will be acting as DPO in the future
- You wish to gain employment as a DPO
- You have data protection responsibilities
- You wish to develop data protection as a practice area
- You have an interest in data protection issues and want to demonstrate practical skills and learning in this area.
Certification process
- Sign up for the certified course in Data Protection
- Attend eght live online training half-days facilitated by Computer Law Training (29 hours verifiable CPD)
- Complete the online test (1 hr verified CPD)
- Certification in Data Protection awarded with use of our marque alongside obtaining a certificate (Data Protection (GDPR) Practitioner Certificate) awarded by Qualifi
Course tutor
Live Seminar Dates
Date | Location | Webinar |
---|---|---|
Tuesday 14 October 2025 - 1pm to 4:30pm |
Online | History, GDPR Overview and Personal Data |
Wednesday 15 October 2025 - 1pm to 4:30pm |
Online | Principles & Legal Bases, Consent and 'Sensitive' Personal Data |
Thursday 16 October 2025 - 1pm to 4:30pm |
Online | Transparency Requirements and Data Subject Rights |
Tuesday 21 October 2025 - 1pm to 4:30pm |
Online | Data Subject Rights and Data Sharing, Processors & Controllers |
Wednesday 22 October 2025 - 1pm to 4:30pm |
Online | Information Security Obligations and Restricted Transfers |
Thursday 23 October 2025 - 1pm to 4:30pm |
Online |
The Accountability Principle, Data Governance Principle, Data Protection by Design & Default and Direct Marketing |
Tuesday 28 October 2025 - 1pm to 4:30pm |
Online |
The Data Protection Act 2018 and HR Issues |
Wednesday 29 October 2025 - 1pm to 4:30pm |
Online |
Other Issues and Regulator & Enforcer |
Course components
Day One: History, GDPR Overview and Personal Data
Data Protection – history and background
- Brief history of data protection
- Importance of data protection
UK GDPR Overview
- Scope (material and territorial)
- Key Definitions
- Data Protection Principles and Legal Basis
- Transparency
- Data Subject Rights
- Breach Reporting / Recording
- Data Protection by design & default
- Data Protection Impact Assessments
- Data Processors
- Restricted (International) Transfers
- Relationship with EU GDPR
What is Personal Data?
- ICO Guidance
- Durant and other cases
Day Two: Principles & Legal Bases, Consent in Detail and 'Sensitive' Personal Data
Principles & Legal Bases
- Data protection principles
- Lawfulness Requirement and 7 Legal Bases
- Choosing a Legal Basis
Consent in Detail
- Definition
- Handling consent
- Problems with consent
- When should you use consent?
'Sensitive' Personal Data
- What are Special Categories?
- Why they are important
- Criminal conviction and offence data
- Conditions for Processing
Day Three: Transparency Requirements and Data Subject Rights
Transparency Requirements
- Information Required and 'Modalities'
- Writing a privacy notice - ‘Layered’ Approach
- Exemptions
Data Subject Rights (part 1)
- Availability of rights
- Management Issues
Day Four: Data Subject Rights and Data Sharing, Processors & Controllers
Data Subject Rights (part 2)
- How to respond (focus on subject access requests)
- Requirements and Procedures
Data Sharing, Processors and Controllers
- Processors and Contracts
- Joint Controllers and Agreements
- One-off Sharing
- Legal Basis
- Risks and due diligence
- Internal Sharing
- When can you share?
Day Five: Information Security Obligations and Restricted (International) Transfers
Information Security Obligations
- Risk analysis
- ‘Appropriate’ Security
- Some Common Security Risks
- Breach Reporting and Recording obligations
- When do you have to report?
Restricted (International) Transfers
- What is a Restricted Transfer?
- Adequacy and the EU
- Transfers with Appropriate Safeguards: SCCs
- International Data Transfer Agreement
- Transfer Impact Assessment
- Binding Corporate Rules
- Derogations for Specific Situations
- Trans-Atlantic arrangements
Day Six: The Accountability Principle, Data Protection Governance, Design & Default and Direct Marketing
The Accountability Principle
- The “Accountability Portfolio”
- Documentation Requirements
- Record of Processing Activities
- The ICO’s trackers
Data Protection Governance
- Data Protection Officers (DPOs)
- Responsibilities
Data Protection by Design & by Default
- Data Protection by Design Obligations
- Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
- When do you have to do it?
- How do you do it?
Data Protection and Direct Marketing
- PECR.
- UK GDPR
- ICO Guidance
Day Seven: The Data Protection Act 2018 and HR Issues
The Data Protection Act 2018
- Relationship with the UK GDPR
- Main Points
- Children’s Data
- Offences
- Exemptions
HR Issues
- Retention of Applicant and Employee Data
- Health and other sensitive data
- Staff Monitoring
- Confidentiality of Employee Data
Day Eight: Other Issues and Regulator & Enforcement
Other Issues
- Some Issues Around Artificial Intelligence
- Codes of Conduct and Certification
- Staff Training
- Data Protection Audit and Gap Analysis
Regulator and Enforcement
- The ICO and its Role
- Registration requirements
- Enforcement
- The European Data Protection Board (EDPB)
Course Test
Held after the course, candidates will be given a multiple-choice test and will have 1 hour to answer 40 questions.
What have our past delegates said about the course?
I attended the course as a non-lawyer but someone with responsibility for data protection. The course was well structured, very thorough and clearly presented. I left the course with a far greater understanding of the Data Protection legislation and its implications in practice.
I have learned a lot during this course. I particularly appreciated how Tim took the time beginning with the basic elements before delving into the complexities of Data Protection law. I particularly appreciated that he welcomed participation from those taking the course, and would stop to explain anything that was not clear after the first explanation. I would recommend this to any NQ solicitors with an interest in Data Protection law, hoping to solidify their knowledge.
The Data Protection Certified Course was well structured and helpful to my role. I would highly recommend the course to others looking to develop an understanding of data protection law or build on existing knowledge.
The Data Protection course was very engaging and thorough - I learned a lot and enjoyed each session.
Great course, well organised, with a hugely knowledgeable trainer, supported by engaging materials
Very knowledgeable and insightful trainer and well structured training. Would recommend to anyone looking to gain knowledge in this area or as a refresher course.
The course was excellent. The content was thorough and brought to life the practicalities in dealing with Data Protection matters. It made me realise that I actually know a lot more than I originally thought and so the course has helped to increase my confidence in dealing with Data Protection matters, which will assist greatly with my role.
Please note there are just 20 spaces on each course.
If you’re not a member, please contact our CPD team to book: CPD@lawscot.org.uk