Tim practices in information law, public law, local government law, and employment law.

Information law is a fast-moving area of the law, where legal principles often struggle to catch up with technological and social change.  Personal information is both a valuable asset and a essential tool when delivering public services; but its effective exploitation is a legal minefield.  Tim has extensive experience in this field in which he is widely recognised to be a leading expert.  Tim’s knowledge and experience mean that he is ideally placed to advise organisations of all kinds, both in the private and public sector, about novel and complex problems relating to their use of information.

Tim combines his work in information law with a wider practice in public and employment law, having practised in both of these areas throughout his time at the Bar.

  • Quotation symbolTim has a fantastically sharp mind, cutting through the complex to provide inciteful findings and advice but balances this with an extremely pragmatic approach, greatly appreciated by instructing solicitors and clients.

    Quotation symbolLegal 500
  • Quotation symbolA go-to heavyweight in the field, who is a charismatic and commanding team player.

    Quotation symbolChambers & Partners
  • Quotation symbolTim is one of the leading experts in data protection and is instructed regularly by the ICO particularly in respect of complex, novel or high-profile cases. His knowledge and expertise are second to none.

    Quotation symbolChambers & Partners

Expertise

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Tim has practised in employment law throughout his career, and is equally at home arguing a short point of law in the Court of Appeal or conducting a fact-heavy Tribunal case about discrimination or whistleblowing. He has a particular interest in the law about employment vetting and monitoring, and was involved in the leading Supreme Court case about CRB disclosure.

Recent work includes:

  • Acting for a University in a discrimination claim brought by a current employee
  • Advising and acting for a public authority in a multi-party case under the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations
  • Dealing with litigation arising out of the maintenance of an alleged industry blacklist

Download Employment CV

ToggleInformation, Technology & Media

Tim’s information law practice covers areas such as data protection, freedom of information, access to environmental information, RIPA, human rights issues, privacy, and breach of confidence. His clients include commercial organisations, the Information Commissioner, numerous regulators, NHS bodies, local authorities, Universities, and private individuals. His freedom of information cases have considered the disclosure of Cabinet Minutes about the Iraq War, MPs’ expenses, abortion statistics, and the risk register relating to the Government’s NHS reforms. He has extensive advocacy experience in information law, at all levels from the First-tier Tribunal to the Supreme Court.He has advised a wide range of commercial organisations (e.g in the banking, insurance, healthcare and outsourcing sectors) about their use of customer and other personal information, and about the implications of sharing confidential business information with public authorities.

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  • Outstanding data privacy and FOIA specialist

    Chambers & Partners
  • He’s one of the pioneers of data protection, and what he says carries authority.

    Chambers & Partners
  • He is a real “brain” when it comes to data protection. He is intelligent, experienced, knowledgeable and highly sought after.

    Legal 500

Download Information, Technology & Media CV

TogglePublic

In recent years Tim’s wider public law and local government practice has covered issues about public sector pensions, the powers and duties of regulatory bodies, and local authority vires.  He has acted for an against regulatory bodies in judicial review claims arising out of the exercise of their statutory powers.

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Achievements

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Tim has contributed chapters to Computer Law (OUP, 2011), Media Law and Practice (OUP, 2009) and Judicial Review (Butterworths, 2010).

ToggleEducation

Tim studied law at Oxford University (BA 1985, BCL 1986).

He was Vinerian Scholar in 1986.

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Tim was Visiting Professor of Information Law at Northumbria University (2007-2013).

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    Outstanding intellectually and highly effective.

    Chambers & Partners
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    Excellent client service, whether paid or pro bono

    Chambers & Partners
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    Recommended for matters involving data protection; he knows that area of law back to front

    Chambers & Partners
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    Persuasive and easy to work with

    Chambers & Partners
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    First choice for ‘bet-the-ranch’ work

    Chambers & Partners
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    A true expert and leading authority

    Chambers & Partners
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    Encyclopaedic knowledge

    Chambers & Partners
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    Always provides responsive and practical advice

    Chambers & Partners
  • Quotation symbol

    Outstanding data privacy and FOIA specialist

    Chambers & Partners
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    very good in his advice

    Chambers & Partners
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    Incredibly sharp

    Chambers & Partners
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    In a league of his own

    Chambers & Partners
  • Quotation symbol

    He has exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge in the area.

    Legal 500
  • Quotation symbol

    He is very knowledgeable in this field.

    Chambers & Partners
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    Very bright and very able.

    Chambers & Partners
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    He homes in on the detail and has an immensely rich level of experience in DPA litigation.

    Chambers & Partners
  • Quotation symbol

    He’s one of the pioneers of data protection, and what he says carries authority.

    Chambers & Partners
  • Quotation symbol

    The depth and breadth of his knowledge is unparalleled and his submissions are powerful.

    Legal 500
  • Quotation symbol

    Tim is a very able and experienced counsel with huge knowledge of his specialist subject area. He’s excellent with clients, he has first-rate advocacy skills and is a go-to KC for important and complex work.

    Chambers & Partners
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    Any matter, however complex, is safe in his capable hands.

    Legal 500
  • Quotation symbol

    Timothy Pitt-Payne KC is a subject matter expert, and deservedly recognised as such.

    Chambers & Partners
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    He’s got an encyclopaedic understanding of data protection law and is really nice to work with.

    Chambers & Partners
  • Quotation symbol

    He is a real “brain” when it comes to data protection. He is intelligent, experienced, knowledgeable and highly sought after.

    Legal 500
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    The ‘very collaborative and supportive’ Timothy Pitt-Payne KC is a key silk in this area

    Legal 500
  • Quotation symbol

    Tim has a fantastically sharp mind, cutting through the complex to provide inciteful findings and advice but balances this with an extremely pragmatic approach, greatly appreciated by instructing solicitors and clients

    Legal 500
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    Clients appreciate his thoughtful solutions. What he can bring to a debate is his depth and breadth of experience.

    Chambers & Partners
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    He’s very impressive, understated in his advocacy, talented, hard-working and hugely respected.

    Chambers & Partners
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    Very thorough and clear. Fantastically prepared for hearings. Excellent advocacy.

    Legal 500