Robin Hopkins
Professional Summary
Called 2008
Contact Details
E Robin.Hopkins@11kbw.com T +44 (0)20 7632 8500 Clerk Lee Cutler Clerk Tori Eastwick Clerk Harry Farrow E Contact Clerks
Robin is a market-leading specialist in information law: data protection, privacy, media and technology issues and freedom of information.
Robin is a top-ranked junior in Chambers & Partners for data protection (‘star individual’ junior, 2018 to 2024), consistently a Tier 1 junior in Legal 500, and is also a ranked junior in Group Litigation. Legal 500 named him Technology, Data and Crypto Junior of the Year in 2024.
He has vast experience on GDPR and DPA issues such as data breaches, compensation claims (individual and multi-party litigation), ICO regulatory actions, subject access requests and compliance challenges to data-driven business models. His cases have involved major multinationals (including Meta/Facebook, Experian, Google, TikTok, Ticketmaster and Equifax) on some of the ground-breaking cases emerging under the GDPR.
Robin has appeared in hundreds of information rights appeals (FOI and environmental information) and jointly runs 11KBW’s Panopticon blog.
He is on the Attorney General’s A Panel of counsel, and also has a judicial role in the Ecclesiastical Courts, as Commissary General (Chancellor) of the Diocese of Canterbury.
Specialisms
Information Law
Robin has vast experience in all aspects of data protection, for which he is ranked as a Band 1 Junior (Chambers and Partners). He has appeared in numerous leading data protection cases, and works with clients on issues such as GDPR regulatory and compensation actions, social media and apps, artificial intelligence, data-sharing, adtech and marketing, subject access and erasure disputes. He acted for a successful intervenor in Lloyd v Google [2021] 3 WLR 1268 and his current cases involve high-profile companies such as Meta, Experian, Equifax and TikTok.
He has appeared in hundreds of appeals concerning FOIA and EIR matters, including leading cases. Current and recent work includes Department of Business and Trade v IC and Montague (Court of Appeal; Brexit trade negotiations) and, in a commercial context, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust v IC and Rowland (EA/2021/0047).
Media & Privacy
Robin works extensively with both media and individual clients on privacy disputes in the context of news, online content and reputation management. He works with major national news publications and content hosts, and is experienced in right to be forgotten/take-down disputes.
Public Law
Robin’s public law practice often encompasses privacy issues. Most recently, he has acted – alongside Lord Pannick KC and Sir James Eadie KC – in the judicial review challenges to the government’s immigration arrangements with Rwanda. His experience in public law matters also includes R (Catt) and R (T) v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and Others [2015] UKSC 9 (Supreme Court; application of Article 8 ECHR and the DPA to policing information).
Human Rights
Robin’s specialism in information rights and privacy matters routinely involves human rights issues, in particular under Article 8 and Article 10 ECHR.
Local Government
Robin works in all aspects of local government law, with extensive experience in information rights matters in particular. Those include FOI and environmental disputes – often in commercial contexts – as well as data protection issues such as disclosure, retention and data- sharing. He appeared in the leading case on local authorities’ retention of child protection information (R (C) v Northumberland CC & ICO [2015] EWHC 2134 (Admin)) and assets of community value (Banner Homes v St Albans [2018] EWCA Civ 1187).
Recommendations
“Robin Hopkins is the complete package – not just great technical skills, but exceptional client service and a wonderful manner. The most senior clients will find him personable and expert.” Chambers & Partners
“I have no hesitation putting Robin in front of even the most challenging of clients – he is sure- footed, immensely commercial and pragmatic and focuses on the answers that a client needs, rather than feeling the obligation to show off the breadth of his knowledge.” Chambers & Partners
“Robin is wonderful to work with, excellent with clients, and almost always persuades the judge or panel and is successful.” Chambers & Partners
“Robin balances gravitas with approachability, and is able to cut through the noise to identify what really matters in a case.” Chambers & Partners
“Robin is a standout junior in a set and an area of law with many excellent barristers” Legal 500
“He is bright, willing to argue his corner, and happy to debate points of law” Legal 500
“He is just brilliant. For a barrister’s view on any issue going to court, he gives the most helpful input and feedback.” Chambers & Partners
“He is the best junior around for data protection and truly has no weaknesses in the area.” Legal 500
“A superstar junior with sense well beyond his years.” Legal 500
“He is superb all around and always a real pleasure to work with. He makes the job easier.” Chambers & Partners
“An outstanding junior in the data privacy field, he is exceptionally bright and makes dealing with the most complex matters seem effortless.” Legal 500
“He has a wonderful manner with clients, a great way of presenting complex issues in a clear and simple manner, and is a real team player.” Chambers & Partners
“He is extremely responsive, has good knowledge and experience of the data protection area and is a pleasure to work with.” Chambers & Partners
Recent Cases
Harrison v Cameron and ACL
[2024] EWHC 1377 (KB) (subject access requests; definition of ‘controller’; mixed personal data)
Experian v Information Commissioner
[2024] UKUT 105 (AAC) (regulatory action against marketing business)
R (AAA and others) v Secretary of State for the Home Department
[2023] EWCA Civ 745 (Court of Appeal; data transfers in contact of Rwanda asylum programme)
Lloyd v Google LLC
[2021] UKSC 50 (Supreme Court; loss of control damages; representative claims; acting for interveners)
Scott v LGBT Foundation
[2020] EWHC 483 (QB), [2020] 4 WLR 62 (oral disclosure of personal information)
DB v GMC
[2018] EWCA Civ 1497 (Court of Appeal; mixed personal data)
Ittihadieh v 5-11 Cheyne Gardens/Deer v Oxford University
[2017] EWCA Civ 121, [2017] 3 WLR 811 (Court of Appeal; subject access; personal purposes; judicial discretion)
Holyoake v CPC and Nicholas Candy
[2017] EWHC 52 (subject access; surveillance; investigations; LPP)
Department of Health v Information Commissioner
[2017] EWCA Civ 374, [2017] 1 WLR 3330 (Court of Appeal; freedom of information; ministerial diaries)
DBEIS v IC and Henney
[2017] EWCA Civ 844 (Court of Appeal; meaning of environmental information)
R (Catt) and R (T) v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and Others
[2015] UKSC 9 (Supreme Court; application of Article 8 ECHR and the DPA to policing information)
Edem v IC and FCA
[2014] EWCA Civ 92 (Court of Appeal; definition of ‘personal data’)
Re Southern Pacific Personal Loans Limited
[2013] EWHC 2485 (data protection in commercial insolvency context)
Appointments
Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel (A Panel)
Commissary General, Diocese of Canterbury
News, Articles & Publications
Maintains and regularly contributes to 11KBW’s Panopticon blog.
Education
Rhodes Scholar (South African College School, 2001)
City University, London: Graduate Diploma in Law (Distinction)
Oxford University: BA (PPE); Master of Studies (Philosophical Theology)
University of Cape Town: Bachelor of Business Science (Finance)
