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  • Home
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  • Debbie Heywood
Debbie Heywood
Debbie Heywood

Debbie Heywood

Senior Counsel – Knowledge

  • London UK
Contact Me Today
+44 20 7300 7000
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Debbie is a senior counsel - knowledge lawyer specialising in data, AI, digital, online platforms and safety, and consumer protection.

Debbie edits and regularly contributes to Taylor Wessing's international tech, media and data privacy publications including Interface and Global Data Hub. She produces a monthly technology and communications update, Radar, and Play, a games update. Debbie writes extensively on a wide range of subjects spanning commercial tech, data and digital.  She has published external articles and chapters to books on data protection and is a frequent presenter of Taylor Wessing’s data protection webinars. 

Debbie is also responsible for providing the Technology & Information group with specialist legal support and training, keeping them up to date with legal and other relevant developments in the sector, and working across our international footprint.

Expertise

Services and Groups

Data & cyber
Artificial intelligence

Sectors

Technology, media & communications
Machine learning
A guide to transatlantic M&A for US buyers

A guide to transatlantic M&A for US buyers

A comprehensive guide to acquiring a business based in the UK or Europe. 

Access the guide

Interface

Analysis and exploration of legal and commercial issues in tech, IP, media and related sectors.

Find out more

Metaverse

The latest legal insights and developments on the metaverse, NFTs, web3, cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

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CV

Since 2022 Senior counsel - knowledge, Taylor Wessing
2016 - 2022 Senior professional support lawyer, Taylor Wessing
2011 - 2016 Knowledge management lawyer, Taylor Wessing
2004 - 2005 Associate, Taylor Wessing
2001 - 2003 Legal advisor, Orange Thailand
1999 - 2001 Associate, Taylor Wessing
1994 - 1995 PR executive, The Guardian/Observer
2000 Diploma in Internet Law, Queen Mary and Westfield College
1997 CPE and LPC, College of Law, London
1992 BA Hons, Modern Languages, Brasenose College, Oxford University

Career

Since 2022 Senior counsel - knowledge, Taylor Wessing
2016 - 2022 Senior professional support lawyer, Taylor Wessing
2011 - 2016 Knowledge management lawyer, Taylor Wessing
2004 - 2005 Associate, Taylor Wessing
2001 - 2003 Legal advisor, Orange Thailand
1999 - 2001 Associate, Taylor Wessing
1994 - 1995 PR executive, The Guardian/Observer

Education

2000 Diploma in Internet Law, Queen Mary and Westfield College
1997 CPE and LPC, College of Law, London
1992 BA Hons, Modern Languages, Brasenose College, Oxford University

Publications

How great is 'The Great Repeal Bill'?, Oxford Business Law Blog
December 2016
The "right to be forgotten" or the "principle that has been remembered" Computer Law & Security Review, Volume 30, Issue 5
October 2014
Pages 574-578, EU Proposals for Dealing with Data Security Breaches, World Data Protection Report
November 2013
The EC Data Protection Proposals Will Be Costly And Complex, TechWeek Europe
April 2013
Right to be forgotten on the web is great for users, but not feasible for businesses, V3.co.uk
 April 2013 Oxford Business Law Blog, December 2016
The "right to be forgotten" or the "principle that has been remembered" - Computer Law & Security Review, Volume 30, Issue 5, October 2014, Pages 574-578,
EU Proposals for Dealing with Data Security Breaches - World Data Protection Report, November 2013
The EC Data Protection Proposals Will Be Costly And Complex, TechWeek Europe, April 2013
Right to be forgotten on the web is great for users, but not feasible for businesses, V3.co.uk, April 2013

Additional languages

English French

Debbie's news & insights

View Debbie's insights
Fibre optic cables
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Technology, media & communications

Change is (not quite) here: UK's new Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 gets Royal Assent

25 June 2025

by Debbie Heywood

Glass.Mapper.Sc.Fields.Image?.Alt
Data & cyber

Game, set and match! UK's Data (Use and Access) Act passes

12 June 2025
Quick read

by Debbie Heywood

Click here to find out more
Global Data Hub - EU case digest

The ICO's first processor fine

Prachi Vasisht and Debbie Heywood look at the impact of the ICO's £3.06m fine of Advanced Computer Software Group Ltd.

9 June 2025

by Prachi Vasisht and Debbie Heywood

6 of 6 Insights

Click here to find out more
View Debbie's insights

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