Sean Humber
Partner
Sean is an experienced human rights lawyer and privacy breach compensation claims specialist
Sean is a partner in the human rights department at Leigh Day. He acts for individuals and campaign groups on a wide range of human rights issues including privacy and data breach claims, prisoner rights, environmental, discrimination and information law matters.
Data protection & privacy
Sean is an expert in information law matters and is currently acting for clients affected by the unauthorised disclosure of confidential medical information by the Dean Street Clinic, and other cases of alleged misuse of personal information including by TalkTalk, Uber, Facebook and Cambridge Analytica.
He has successfully settled a number of cases, where confidential information, including medical information, was disclosed either deliberately or in error, without the person's knowledge or consent.
Sean Humber's human rights expertise also includes, environmental, discrimination and information law.
- The Legal 500 2017
He has also successfully acted for individuals and campaign groups in cases to the Information Commissioner and Information Tribunal in relation to the failure of public bodies to respond to requests for information under the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.
What the directories say
He's innovative in his approach and an expert in the area of data protection. He is sensible in terms of advice to clients and offers realistic options.
Chambers and partners 2024
Prison law experience
Sean is a recognised expert in prison law matters, including prisoner healthcare and prisoner disability discrimination matters. He has successfully acted for inmates in judicial review challenges and compensation claims for clinical negligence, personal injury, breach of human rights and disability discrimination. He has also acted for prisoners in cases in front of the European Court of Human Rights.
He spoke at a seminar at the House of Lords on prisoner rights, has been short-listed for the Index on Censorship Legal Award for his work on behalf of prisoners and chairs the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA’s) annual conference on prisoners’ healthcare.
"Head of department Sean Humber handles a wide array of judicial reviews on behalf of individual claimants and NGOs. He has particular expertise in claims arising in the context of prisoners' rights. Sources praise his "clear insight and judgement. He can predict how a case will pan out to a T." Moreover, he is "really proactive and sensible.""
- Chambers and partners 2018
“Sean Humber is a talented individual with particular expertise in prisoner law.”
- Chambers and Partners - 2012
Environmental law experience
Sean is also a recognised expert in environmental matters. Before retraining as a solicitor, Sean obtained a degree in Biochemistry from Oxford University he worked as a research scientist and then as a national campaigner for Friends of the Earth.
He has successfully acted for individuals suffering injuries as a result of their exposure to a variety of toxic substances, for individuals whose land has been damaged by pollution and in judicial review challenges of public bodies for their failure to adequately protect the environment. He has recently acted for residents of a street in London whose properties were flooded by water from a burst water mains. He has also acted for a resident in a judicial review challenge against proposals to fluoridate the drinking water in the Southampton area.
“Sean Humber, whose ‘determination is matched by his great ability and knowledge’, has been acting in various water pollution cases.”
- Legal 500 2011
Sean is a former Secretary of the Environment Group of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, a member of the Law Society's Planning and Environmental Law Committee and the Environmental Law Foundation.
What the directories say
Sean Humber is instructed by clients seeking advice on data breaches involving sensitive personal data. He represents individual claimants as well as companies. "He's very responsive, professional, innovative and looks for solutions for his clients." "He's a great strategic thinker and lawyer."
Chambers and partners 2022
Sean Humber in the news
- MoD fined £350k after disclosing personal details of 265 Afghan aides Army Technology 13.12.23
- Here’s what you need to do after your personal data is breached Telegraph 16.8.23
- South Staffs Water data breach victims may be in line for compensation Express & Star 26.7.23
- Mass hack at BBC, British Airways, Boots and DHL sparks class action lawsuit probe Morning Star 20.7.23
- Capita data breach ‘may affect millions’ Times 3.6.23
- Lawyer in the news: Sean Humber Law Society Gazette 20.5.23
- NHS gender identity clinic discloses email contacts of 2,000 patients Guardian 6.9.19
Accreditations
Inaugural lecture of the Institute of Neurotechnology & Law
The pioneering Institute of Neurotechnology and Law will host its inaugural lecture on Friday 5 July 2024.
Afghan national’s lawyer condemns unacceptable delay by Ministry of Defence in reporting breach of Afghan nationals’ personal data to Information Commissioner’s Office
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has today published its 73-page Penalty Notice setting out the detailed reasons for fining the Ministry of Defence (MOD) £350,000 in December 2023 for disclosing personal information of 265 Afghan nationals seeking relocation to the UK shortly after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in a series of data breaches in September 2021.
Afghan national’s lawyer welcomes Ministry of Defence fine for “particularly egregious” data breach of Afghan nationals’ personal data
The Information Commissioner’s Office, the independent body responsible for upholding information rights and data privacy, has fined the Ministry of Defence £350,000 for disclosing personal information of 265 Afghan nationals seeking relocation to the UK shortly after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. The ICO found that “the egregious breach let down those to whom our country owes so much” and that the error could have resulted in a threat to life.