Mariya Peykova returns from 6-month placement with the ICO

10th December 2024

The beginning of this month, December 2024, marked the return to 3PB of commercial, public and information law barrister  Mariya PeykovaMariya PeykovaCall: 2013,  having spent the last 6 months on a placement at the Information Commissioner’s Office (‘ICO’). The ICO offers privacy lawyers, litigation lawyers, or lawyers with regulatory enforcement experience the opportunity to work closely with colleagues within the ICO Legal Services team, working on a wide range of matters, including casework, enforcement, policy work and litigation. Whilst the secondment programme is more often seen as an opportunity for solicitors or in-house practitioners, placements are also available to barristers practising at the self-employed Bar.

Mariya started her placement in June 2024 and was based in the ICO’s London office, although she was given the opportunity to work flexibly, which meant she could manage her time more efficiently. This also enabled her to maintain aspects of her  practice whilst also taking full advantage of the learning opportunities available to those on placement at the ICO.

During her six months at the ICO, Mariya was involved in several ongoing matters in the ICO's litigation and enforcement teams, from large scale investigations to matters arising in the context of judicial review proceedings and litigation in the Information Tribunal. She worked closely with some brilliant colleagues across several departments and was able to use her knowledge in civil litigation to provide useful guidance to the teams, whilst developing the necessary knowledge and skills to start building a junior practice in the Information Tribunal.

Mariya was fortunate enough to work with incredibly knowledgeable and intelligent data protection law specialists, as well as to be challenged on a daily basis in  ways that have enabled her to grow as a professional. Mariya advised on novel points of data protection law, as well as delivering advice and presentations for her colleagues in the Legal Services team on a wide range of topics, such as compensation claims in the civil courts, as well as a number of tricky procedural issues which she thoroughly enjoyed researching.

Mariya has now returned to chambers, having gained invaluable experience in the field of data protection law –  her placement at the ICO has been crucial to her professional and personal development.

Mariya has confirmed that the ICO is now recruiting for its next round of secondees and that you can find all the information you need here. 

Mariya is a strong advocate of the placement, saying: " I am certain that my placement at the ICO will have a real impact on my career development, and I would highly recommend it to any practitioners who wish to develop this area of law. "

 

To contract or instruct Mariya, please contact David Fielder via email, or telephone 020 7583 8055.