Business Legal Services
Data Processing Agreements
Commercially focused legal advice on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating compliant data processing agreements
Whether you are onboarding suppliers, expanding internationally, or managing regulatory risk, we help you structure data processing arrangements, keeping data controllers and processers compliant.
Finding the right legal partner
Why work with Harper James
Choose a legal partner you can trust: we’ll help protect your goals, your business and your people so you can move forward with confidence and focus on growing your business.
Affordable, transparent and predictable pricing
Clear itemised invoices, subscription plans with up to 50% discount, and fixed fee products help you plan and manage legal spend – with no nasty surprises.
Proven track record and measurable results
We’ve supported over 7,000 businesses since 2014, with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 60+ from monthly client surveys.
Straight-talking, responsive advice
That means fast response times, practical expert legal advice delivered in plain English, and dedicated client service and account management support.
Risk and compliance assured
We’re an SRA regulated firm, but more importantly, we build quality, data, and compliance best practice into everything we do.
Data processing agreement solicitors
Data processing agreement legal advice for growing businesses
Data processing agreements often sit at the centre of customer onboarding, supplier relationships, procurement reviews, and regulatory compliance. We help you keep contracts commercially practical while reducing unnecessary risk.
When you need to negotiate a customer’s data processing agreement as part of a larger commercial contract, and want to avoid accepting disproportionate liability or unworkable obligations.
When you need to appoint third-party suppliers or SaaS providers that process personal data on your behalf, and want clear responsibilities, security obligations, and risk allocation in place.
When you need to review international data transfer arrangements, and want to understand whether additional contractual protections are required.
When you need to respond to procurement or compliance requests from larger customers, and want your contracts and processes to stand up to scrutiny without delaying the deal.
When you need to update legacy agreements following business growth, operational changes, or evolving data protection requirements, so your contracts reflect how your business actually operates today.
When you need to align your commercial agreements, privacy documentation, and supplier arrangements, so your wider compliance position is consistent and easier to manage.
If your situation involves multiple jurisdictions, regulated data, complex supply chains, or wider commercial negotiations, tell us what you are trying to achieve and we will help define the right approach.
- Share an outline of your plans
Share your agreement, commercial context, and any deadlines or procurement requirements you are working towards. - We identify the most suitable approach
We review the agreement, explain the key legal and commercial risks clearly, and identify where terms may need negotiation or clarification. - We manage the process through to completion
We support negotiations, drafting, or implementation in a way that fits your business, while keeping communication practical, responsive, and commercially focused.
Experts in Data Protection Law
Supporting your growth journey
Why choose our data processing agreement solicitors?
Meet our team
Our data processing agreement solicitors have experience working at leading UK law firms and in-house within fast-moving businesses, supporting organisations navigating complex supplier relationships, enterprise procurement requirements, international operations, and increasing regulatory scrutiny.
That experience means we understand both sides of the negotiation. We know where customers, suppliers, and procurement teams are likely to push for stronger protections, where terms are often negotiable, and how to keep agreements commercially workable without creating unnecessary operational burden.
Where needed, we also work closely with our wider commercial, technology, employment, and corporate teams to ensure data processing agreements align with your wider contracts, governance, operational structure, and growth plans.
Find out more about who you could be working with:
Understanding data processing agreements
Common questions
These are some of the most common questions clients commonly ask about data processing agreements. If you are unsure how these issues apply to your business, our solicitors can help you understand the legal position, assess the level of risk, and decide on the most appropriate approach for your business.
What parts of a data processing agreement create the biggest commercial risk?
The biggest pressure points are usually liability caps, security obligations, audit rights, data breach responsibilities, and restrictions around subcontractors or international transfers. The wording in these areas can create obligations that are difficult or expensive to operate in practice if they are not properly aligned to your business model.
How do international data transfers affect data processing agreements?
If personal data is transferred outside the UK, your contracts need to reflect where the data is going, who can access it, and what protections are in place. This commonly arises when businesses use overseas group companies, cloud providers, SaaS platforms, outsourced support teams, or international suppliers.
Depending on the destination country and processing arrangement, additional contractual protections may be required, such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA) or approved transfer clauses.
For growing businesses, international transfers can also become a procurement and due diligence issue. Larger customers increasingly expect suppliers to show that overseas data handling is properly documented, understood, and supported by appropriate contractual and operational controls.
When do businesses need a data processing agreement?
A data processing agreement is usually needed whenever another organisation processes personal data on your behalf. This often applies to cloud software providers, payroll services, CRM systems, marketing platforms, IT support providers, hosting services, and outsourced operational support.
Data processing agreements become particularly important as businesses scale, work with larger customers, enter regulated sectors, or go through procurement and due diligence processes. Enterprise customers will often expect suppliers to have appropriate agreements already in place.
The key is making sure the contract reflects how data is actually handled across your business and supplier network. Problems often arise where businesses rely on generic templates that no longer match operational reality or customer expectations.
How often should data processing agreements be reviewed?
Many businesses put data processing agreements in place once and rarely revisit them, even as operations, systems, suppliers, or customer expectations change. Agreements should generally be reviewed when launching new services, expanding internationally, onboarding key suppliers, entering regulated markets, or responding to significant legal or operational changes.
What happens if our actual data handling practices do not match the contract wording?
This can create problems during procurement reviews, customer disputes, regulatory investigations, or security incidents. Businesses sometimes sign template agreements that contain commitments their operational processes do not fully support. Regular legal and operational reviews can help identify gaps before they become larger compliance or commercial issues.
Testimonials
What our clients say
Our clients value straight answers, commercial judgement and lawyers who keep momentum in high-stakes transactions.
Lillian is really helpful and clear in her communications. Her advice is pragmatic and she works in a timely manner, as well as having an approachable nature.
Janna Bates
Head of HR,
easyfundraising
David Sant has been informative and reassuring as we in C-me Colour profiling work through the data protection analysis for the business model and the implications for our data protection processes and GDPR documentation.
Sue Wilsher
Company Secretary,
Colour Preferences
Lillian is really helpful and clear in her communications. Her advice is pragmatic and she works in a timely manner, as well as having an approachable nature.
Janna Bates
Head of HR,
easyfundraising
David Sant has been informative and reassuring as we in C-me Colour profiling work through the data protection analysis for the business model and the implications for our data protection processes and GDPR documentation.
Sue Wilsher
Company Secretary,
Colour Preferences
