Philip Gordon

An unprecedented PSNI data breach last year saw the names, roles and other personal details of all serving police officers and civilian staff inadvertently published on its website.

A statement of claim in each of the three test cases has been served and the PSNI’s chief constable has been directed to enter his defence within six weeks.

Philip Gordon, partner at Edwards & Co, one of the management solicitors appointed by the court in a recent group litigation order, welcomed the milestone.

“This decision by the High Court is very encouraging progress for our clients, who number almost 5,000,” he said.

He continued: “Each claim will still have to be considered individually in terms of the appropriate damages, taking into account that each plaintiff will have been affected differently.

“It may therefore take some time after a liability hearing to deal with each individual case, but we are committed to getting every client the best possible result.”