Subject Access Requests & Data Protection Complaints

If your case hinges on the accuracy of information held about you—or you suspect records are missing, misleading, or being used unfairly—you have the legal right to request access or corrections under UK data protection law.

At Parent Legal, we guide you through every step of this process.

Making a Subject Access Request (SAR)

A Subject Access Request (SAR) allows you to obtain personal data held by schools, social services, police, healthcare providers, or other agencies. We help you:

• Identify exactly what records to request

• Draft precise, legally grounded SAR letters

• Deal with incomplete or non-compliant responses

• Prepare complaints to the ICO if your rights are breached

We can also assist where redactions appear excessive or unjustified—something that frequently occurs in local authority or school disclosures.

Forcing Disclosure via Court

When SARs fail or are deliberately blocked, you may have grounds to compel disclosure through court proceedings. This route is especially useful in family or contact cases, and we can help:

• Prepare applications to court

• Support drafting witness statements explaining relevance

• Assemble a focused mini-bundle to present your request clearly and effectively

Raising a Complaint

If your SAR is ignored, rejected, or redacted beyond usefulness, you have the right to complain to:

• The organisation’s Data Protection Officer

• The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

We help frame complaints in a strategic, legally persuasive way—highlighting where your rights have been breached and what outcome you are seeking.

This service is often used to uncover records that have been withheld, altered, or misused in family proceedings. Whether you're seeking to correct a narrative or build a case around hidden evidence, we’re here to help you take back control.