Data protection and freedom of information compliance is something that every business and public authority must take very seriously. The consequences of not doing so are front page news. And as an area prone to urban myth as to what the law does and doesn't allow, it helps to be guided by experts.

With an ex-regulator, ex in-house data protection officer and many years of hands-on data protection experience, the Data Protection team led by partner Peter Hall has the expertise to guide clients through this complex area of law to find a practical solution.

Sometimes clients want a quick answer on particular issues. Sometimes they want wider guidance on compliance and even a full compliance audit of their organisation. Whatever the type of help required, the team provides practical and straightforward advice based on its experience.

It also regularly gives specialist training to clients on data protection compliance issues so they can help themselves to become compliant. A bespoke on-line data protection training package developed by the team helped one banking client to train its call centre staff.

The firm's data protection experts work with a mix of public and private sector clients. Currently, they are advising a government agency on the complexities of interaction between the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations. They also regularly advise suppliers to the public sector and public sector bodies on FOIA compliance.

Clients such as Marks & Spencer, ADP, Avanade, Reed Elsevier, Sauer Danfoss, Sanctuary Housing, Healthcode, LCH.Clearnet and Meggitt Plc have benefited from the team's expertise in this area.

In the case of non-UK legal systems, it has a network of tried and tested data protection experts at local law firms to draw upon.

The aim for Wragge & Co's data protection experts is to be at the forefront of thinking. That's why this team is heavily involved in industry groups such as the Data Protection Forum, Intellect and the Society for Computers and Law.

To ensure clients remain equally informed, the team follows the activities of the Information Commissioner's Office and other news in the sphere of data protection and freedom of information. Alerts, analysis and action points delivered within hours of the latest development, cut through the headlines to give clients what they really need to know about data protection.

For more on the team, please contact Peter Hall (peter_hall@wragge.com).