Mariya Peykova has written an in-depth analysis on the case of 'DSG Retail Limited v Information Commissioner [2026] EWCA Civ 140', which shows the scope of the duty imposed on data controllers protect personal data in their possession and control by taking appropriate technical and organisational measures.
Clerk Details
- Clerk Name: David Fielder
- Clerk Telephone: 020 7583 8055
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
Overview
Before coming to the Bar in 2020, Mariya worked as a Research Fellow at Queen Mary University and a Judicial Assistant at the Court of Appeal and High Court, following a 6-month placement at the International Criminal Court in the Hague, where she worked with the then President of the Court, Judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi. Mariya accepts instructions in a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters, with a particular focus on commercial, data protection, and education law. Mariya has appeared in the High Court (unled), County Court and Information Tribunal and is regularly instructed to represent and advise clients on a range of matters raising complex contractual interpretation points, data protection and privacy issues, as well as matters involving Convention rights. Mariya regularly advises schools, universities and academies on their obligations under data protection and human rights legislation. Mariya has a strong interest in emerging technologies and the impact of artificial intelligence on decision-making processes in both the private and public sectors. From June 2024 – December 2024, Mariya undertook a placement at the Information Commissioner’s Office, where she worked closely with the Litigation and Enforcement teams. Mariya regularly undertakes pro bono work through Advocate and has previously volunteered with Reprieve and Liberty. In 2024, Mariya received a nomination for the ‘Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year’ award.
Languages
- Greek (native)
- Bulgarian (native)
- French (intermediate)
Academic Publications
'Electricity Decentralization in the European Union: Towards Zero Carbon and Energy Transition’, Rafael Leal-Arcas et al 2nd Edition, Elsevier, 2023
'The great energy transition in the European Union: Volume 2', Rafael Leal-Arcas et al, Eliva Press, 2020
'Towards a Carbon-Free, Decentralised, and Democratised System of Energy Generation', Rafael Leal-Arcas, Andrew Fillis, Mariya Peykova, Marius Greger, Connecticut Journal of International Law, Volume 35, 133.
'Towards a carbon-free, decentralised, and democratised system of energy generation' - Journal of International Law, Vol 35, Issue 1, 2020 (Forthcoming), Queen Mary University of London, School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No 319/2019
'Decarbonizing the Energy Sector' - Michigan State Journal of Animal and Natural Resource Law, 2019 (Forthcoming), Queen Mary School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 309/2019
'The ICC Reparations regime: The future of international criminal justice or an empty promise?', Gray’s Inn Student Law Journal, November 2015.
'Energy Transit: Intergovernmental Agreements on Oil and Gas Transit Pipelines', Rafael Leal-Arcas, Mariya Peykova, Tathagata Choudhury and Malakee Makhoul, Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review, 2015.
'Energy Transit Activities: Collection of Intergovernmental Agreements on oil and gas transit pipelines and commentary', Co-authored with Professor Rafael Leal-Arcas, Report prepared for the Energy Charter Secretariat Knowledge Centre, July 2014, Queen Mary University of London, School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 177/2014
Expertise
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Commercial Add this expertise to your shortlist Mariya accepts instructions in all matters relating to contractual disputes, with a particular focus on consumer and business-to-business contracts (‘B2B’). Having successfully completed a placement with the Information Commissioner’s Office (‘ICO’), Mariya is aptly placed to advise on the interplay between the contractual rights and obligations of businesses and consumers, and their rights and obligations under consumer and data protection legislation. Current and recent highlights include work on the following matters:
- Advising a company on its contractual and regulatory obligations in respect of the collection and ongoing retention of customers’ personal data, including special category data.
- Advising on potential claims against a local authority in breach of contract, breach of confidence, misuse of private information, and breach of data protection legislation.
- Advising a large aviation business on its regulatory and contractual obligations in the context of sharing former employees’ personal data with third parties.
- Phones 4U Limited v. EE Limited & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 116: Mariya was instructed by Mischon de Reya acting for Telefonica to assist in a junior capacity assisting in relation to proceedings brought by Phones 4U Limited (In administration) alleging conspiracy between EE, Vodafone, Telefonica and their parent companies (at the relevant time).
- Advised on a complex breach of contract, which involved a side discrimination claim, against a large UK energy provider.
- Represented a leading UK University in a breach of contract claim brought against the University by a former student. The claim was struck out following a contested application to strike out the statement of case.
- Obtained an order for summary judgment against multiple defendants for breaches of several key obligations arising under a loan agreement and related guarantee.
- Represented a former member of the Liberal Democrats at a contested hearing following an application for an interim injunction. The Applicant alleged, inter alia, that her expulsion from the Party constituted a breach of contract, as it breached several core principles enshrined in the Party’s constitution (Josephine Hayes v Mark Pack and Ors [2022] EWHC Civ).
- Obtained a second order for relief from sanctions in circumstances in which relief had already been granted in relation to the same failure by the Applicant to file evidence in accordance with the court’s directions.
- Secured a freezing injunction against the assets of an individual who was at the time outside the jurisdiction.
- Advising on alternative methods of service outside the jurisdiction, particularly in cases where the Defendant is based in a State that is not a signatory to the Hague Convention.
- Represented the tenant and guarantor in a commercial lease dispute with the corporate landlord. The defendants argued that the lease had been surrendered on the grounds of repudiatory breach.
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Education Add this expertise to your shortlist - Representing an Academy Trust in proceedings to strike out a claim under the Human Rights Act 1998 for alleged breaches of Articles 14 and 8 ECHR.
- Advising a Multi-Academy Trust on proceedings issued against it under the UK GDPR and the DPA 2018.
- Successfully representing a University at the trial of a claim alleging breach of contract and breaches of data protection legislation.
- Acting for the parents in Judicial Review proceedings against the Local Authority for a failure to enforce an Education and Health Care Plan (‘EHCP’).
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Public and Administrative Law Add this expertise to your shortlist Mariya is regularly instructed by a wide range of government departments, including HM Treasury, DCMS, FCDO, and DWP. She undertakes a wide range of advisory and advocacy work in the public sector, with a particular focus on data and information law. Mariya’s previous experience at the Information Commissioner’s Office enables her to provide comprehensive advice on a wide range of regulatory matters, including on possible enforcement action and judicial review proceedings of decisions affecting data subjects’ rights. Some recent examples of Mariya’s work include the following:
- Instructed by the Information Commissioner in judicial review proceedings.
- Acting for the Information Commissioner in proceedings in the First-Tier Tribunal (Information Rights)
- Instructed by the Information Commissioner regarding a permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
- Appearing on behalf of a public body in misfeasance proceedings.
- Appearing on behalf of the Legal Ombudsman in judicial review proceedings.
- Instructed by the Information Commissioner in civil proceedings in the County Court.
- Advising a local authority on the regulatory framework for international data transfers.
- Successfully defending the Ministry of Justice at trial, following the issue of proceedings against it for alleged breaches of the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
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Articles -
DSG Retail Limited v Information Commissioner [2026] EWCA Civ 140
16th Mar 2026View Article -
Grok around and find out. Or not. What does the law say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and do we need better rules?
19th Jan 2026View Article3PB’s specialist commercial, public and information law barrister, Mariya Peykova, writes about how Grok has sparked controversy in recent weeks after being used to generate non-consensual sexualised images, with victims predominantly being women and girls.
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Online platforms and the law: can you afford to swipe right for love?
29th Jan 2025View Article3PB ‘s specialist commercial, public and information law barrister Mariya Peykova has written an article titled ‘Online dating platforms and the law: can you afford to swipe right for love?’
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Assessing the Value of Claims for Breaches of the GDPR
25th Nov 2023View ArticleThis article was first published in ThoughtLeaders4 Disputes Magazine.
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Arbitration agreements “subject to contract”, and the limited scope of the separability principle (DHL Project & Chartering Ltd v Gemini Ocean Shipping Co Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 1555)
13th Jan 2023View ArticleMariya analyses the case DHL Project & Chartering Ltd v Gemini Ocean Shipping Co Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 1555) in relation to the "separability principle" in arbitration agreements.
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The correct measure of damages in a claim for breach of warranty and deceit in the context of a share sale
8th Jul 2022View ArticleMariya Peykova analyses the case of MDW Holdings Limited v James Robert Norvill and Ors [2022] EWCA Civ 883, in which the Court of Appeal brings important clarification of the principles applicable to the assessment of damages for breach of warranty and deceit in the context of a share sale.
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Are we exclusive? High Court reviews key contractual principles in the context of ‘casual’ commercial relationships
15th Oct 2021View ArticleZymurgorium Ltd v Hammonds of Knutsford plc
Mariya Peykova has analysed the case of Zymurgorium Ltd v Hammonds of Knutsford plc for Lexis®PSL.
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3PB’s specialist commercial, public and information law barrister, Mariya Peykova, has written an article on the law around explicit deepfakes, which is published in July’s issue of Counsel magazine. She discusses how advances in artificial intelligence have created new legal challenges surrounding the creation and distribution of explicit deepfake content, examining the gaps in existing legislation and the difficulties faced by victims seeking protection and redress. To contact or instruct Mariya, please email David Fielder...
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3PB’s specialist commercial, public and information law barrister, Mariya Peykova, has written a case summary of the judgment in 'DSG Retail Limited v Information Commissioner [2026] EWCA Civ 140' handed down in February this year. She discusses the scope of the duty imposed on data controllers to protect personal data in their possession and control by taking appropriate technical and organisational measures ('ATOMs') and how the security duty is particularly relevant when data controllers fall...
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3PB’s specialist commercial, public and information law barrister, Mariya Peykova, has written an article titled ‘Grok around and find out. Or not. What does the law say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and do we need better rules?’. She discusses how Grok has sparked controversy in recent weeks after being used to generate non-consensual sexualised images, with victims predominantly being women and girls. These images are an example of sexually explicit deepfakes created without consent. Mariya...
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3PB's commercial disputes and data protection barrister Mariya Peykova appeared for Volkswagen Group UK in Birmingham in the case of Smith v Volkswagen Group before HHJ Emma Kelly. Mariya was instructed by Shoosmiths LLP. The claimant alleged manufacturing design faults in her car which she had bought seven years earlier. Mariya successfully applied for an Extended Civil Restraint Order (ECRO) after a Deputy District Judge had earlier ruled against the claimant and awarded costs to...
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