The UK legal profession continues to face an increasing number of cyberattacks, with incidents affecting firms of every size, from global practices to regional high-street solicitors. The legal sector’s unique mix of sensitive client data, confidential documents, and high-value financial transactions makes it a prime target for cybercriminals.
The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 offers a timely insight into this growing threat. It found that 43% of businesses and 30% of charities experienced a cyberattack or data breach in the past 12 months, with the figure rising to 74% among large organisations.
Phishing remains the most common method of attack (reported by 85% of affected businesses), but more sophisticated threats including ransomware and data theft are now causing major operational and reputational disruption.
Within the legal industry, the impact is even more pronounced. Law firms and agencies hold highly sensitive information, often under strict confidentiality obligations, and handle significant client funds making the consequences of a breach potentially devastating.
Below, we look at four key incidents from the past few years that continue to shape the sector’s approach to cybersecurity.
1. The Legal Aid Agency
In May 2024, the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) suffered a significant cyberattack. The personal data of hundreds of thousands of applicants dating back to 2010 was accessed and downloaded in one of the most disruptive cyber incidents to hit the justice system.
The breach left parts of the legal aid system offline for several months, delaying case processing and preventing some legal professionals from accessing records or billing for services, particularly in civil matters.
While investigations are ongoing, the incident highlighted long-standing issues with legacy systems and underinvestment in cybersecurity infrastructure within government agencies. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson admitted that vulnerabilities had been known “for years,” but had not been addressed in time.
2. Allen & Overy
In November 2023, Allen & Overy, one of the UK’s largest and most prestigious law firms, confirmed that it had been hit by a ransomware attack. The incident affected a small number of storage servers, but it quickly drew widespread attention when the LockBit ransomware groupclaimed responsibility.
LockBit threatened to publish stolen data if the ransom was not paid, underscoring how global law firms even with strong in-house IT and cybersecurity teams remain vulnerable to well-coordinated attacks.
While Allen & Overy confirmed that its email and document management systems were not affected, the event served as a powerful reminder that no level of sophistication or scale guarantees immunity from cyber threats.
The Allen & Overy case demonstrated that even limited breaches can create reputational risks that extend well beyond technical recovery.
3. Ward Hadaway
In 2022, Ward Hadaway, a top-100 UK firm, was targeted by a cybercriminal who gained unauthorised access to internal systems and downloaded confidential case files. The attacker demanded a ransom of $3 million (£2.23 million) in Bitcoin, threatening to publish the stolen data if payment was not received later doubling the demand to $6 million (£4.46 million).
This double extortion model, where criminals both encrypt and exfiltrate data, is now one of the most common forms of cyberattack facing the legal industry.
Ward Hadaway acted swiftly, containing the breach and launching a forensic investigation with external specialists. The firm also informed the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and the police, and secured a High Court injunctionagainst “persons unknown” to prevent publication of stolen material.
The data included medical reports and Court of Protection files underlining the level of sensitivity typically managed by legal practices.
This case also demonstrated the importance of coordinated legal and technical responses combining cybersecurity with data protection law expertise.
4. DPP Law
The case of DPP Law Ltd, based in Merseyside, remains one of the most instructive examples of how technical oversights can have serious regulatory consequences.
In 2022, hackers exploited a rarely used administrator account linked to an outdated case management system to access DPP’s network. Over 32GB of sensitive client data, including court bundles and police bodycam footage, were stolen and later published on the dark web.
The breach was made worse by the firm’s delay in recognising the incident as a reportable data breach, it notified the ICO 43 days after becoming aware, far exceeding the 72-hour legal requirement under GDPR.
The ICO’s investigation revealed several failings, including:
- A lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote access
- Inadequate oversight of third-party IT providers
- Unpatched legacy systems
As a result, DPP Law was fined £60,000 in early 2024.
What These Incidents Reveal
These breaches, while different in nature, share a common theme: cybersecurity in law firms is a matter of governance, not just technology.
Collectively, they reveal several key trends and lessons:
- No firm is too large or too secure to be targeted. Even leading global practices face risks from ransomware, phishing, and insider vulnerabilities.
- Legacy systems and delayed updates remain a major weakness. Unpatched software and outdated infrastructure are frequent entry points for attackers.
- Human error continues to be the leading cause of breaches. Phishing remains the most common attack method, often exploiting trust and routine behaviour.
- Cybersecurity cannot be outsourced entirely. The SRA warns against total reliance on external IT providers without independent review or internal accountability.
- Timely breach reporting is a regulatory requirement. Delays can result in fines and reputational damage, as demonstrated by DPP Law’s case.
- Public trust and professional reputation are on the line. For law firms, client confidence is as critical as system integrity.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) explicitly states that firms must take appropriate steps to protect client data against unauthorised access, loss, or damage. Achieving this requires not only robust systems but also leadership engagement, staff training, and a culture that values security as part of client care.
The cyber incidents at the Legal Aid Agency, Allen & Overy, Ward Hadaway, and DPP Law highlight how diverse and sophisticated threats have become. From ransomware to data theft, each case demonstrates that even a single vulnerability whether human or technical can trigger serious consequences.
At OneTechUK we work closely with law firms to enhance their security posture, modernise infrastructure, and ensure full compliance with SRA and UK GDPR standards. If your firm is looking to improve its cybersecurity readiness or achieve Cyber Essentials certification, get in touch with us.
