ODPA successful in Petty Debts

In January 2024, the Office of the Data Protection Authority (ODPA) successfully took six companies to court for the non-payment of registration fees. The ODPA were awarded full judgement and costs in all cases. 

It is a legal requirement for all entities (including small businesses and sole traders) that process personal data and are established in the Bailiwick to register with the ODPA and renew that registration annually.

Failure to do so may result in the ODPA using its enforcement powers and, in cases of non-payment, pursuing payment through the Magistrate’s Court Petty Debt process. 

The annual registration fee is based on the number of ‘full-time equivalent’ staff in each organisation and is unchanged from last year: £2,000 per year for organisations with 50 or more full-time equivalent staff, and £50 for all other entities. These levies enable the Authority to operate independently and fulfil its statutory role of regulating the local data protection law.