Bar Council alerts sets to company offering £145 ICO registration

The Bar Council is warning that it has not endorsed a data protection company offering to register sets with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Blackpool-based business DPA Registrations is offering to register barristers with the office, as is required by the Data Protection Act 1998, for a fee of £145.

However, in an open letter to heads of chambers, Bar Council professional practice committee chairman David Etherington QC of 18 Red Lion Court pointed out that direct registration only costs £35.

“[DPA] are using what appears to be the Bar Council logo on their leaflet, but they’re not in fact in any way connected with the Bar Council,” wrote Etherington.

“Chambers may register details with the Information Commissioner direct and there’s no need to enlist the help of this company unless chambers wish to do so.”

One senior clerk said: “DPA’s publicity doesn’t break any rules as there’s a footnote saying it’s not ­associated with any public body, ;but ;it’s ;really ­misleading, making it feel like a con.”