The Court of Session has granted permission for group proceedings to be brought against South Lanarkshire Council in connection with the disclosure of personal data in response to a freedom of information request made in April 2023.
What the court authorised
On 9 July 2026, the court approved an application for group proceedings to be pursued by Margaret Tanner as the representative party on behalf of affected members of the group. The action names South Lanarkshire Council — whose headquarters are at Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0AA — as the defender.
Background to the claim
The dispute arises from material published in response to a freedom of information request submitted via the whatdotheyknow.com website in April 2023. The notice accompanying the court order specifies that the group proceedings relate to claims stemming from the disclosure of the group members’ personal data by the defender when responding to that request.
What residents should do
Individuals who believe they were affected but have not yet joined the proceedings are invited to contact the solicitors acting for the representative party. The firm handling the case is Thompsons Solicitors Scotland. Contact details provided are:
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Representative solicitor | Patrick McGuire, Thompsons Solicitors Scotland |
| Address | 70 Wellington Street, Glasgow G2 6UA |
| patrick.mcguire@thompsons-scotland.co.uk |
The notice advises anybody wishing to participate who has not previously made a claim to get in touch at the contact points listed above.
Local impact and context
The authorisation of group proceedings signals a significant legal step for those who say their personal information was improperly disclosed. Group claims can make it easier for multiple individuals with similar grievances to pursue redress collectively, potentially reducing the cost and complexity for each claimant.
For the council, the case raises questions about record-handling and responses to information requests. Public authorities in Scotland have statutory duties under data protection and freedom of information laws when responding to requests for information, and a court-authorised group action will test whether those duties were met in this instance.
- Permission for group proceedings was granted on 9 July 2026.
- The disclosure at issue followed an FOI request made in April 2023.
- Thompsons Solicitors Scotland are acting for the representative party; contact details are published in the court notice.
Anyone in South Lanarkshire concerned they might be affected should consider contacting the solicitors named in the notice for advice on whether they can join the proceedings. The council has not been reported to have commented in the court notice; any formal response from the authority would likely appear in future filings or press statements.
This development will be followed closely by residents and community groups concerned about how public bodies manage personal data and balance transparency with privacy obligations.
