If it is a personal computer, for example one used at home, then if it is normal practice for solicitors to have client information stored in their personal computer at home, then even though it is unfortunate that a hacker stole such information and reveal it, the solicitor has not breached confidentiality if the solicitor genuinely believed that the information was safe and recoverable on the computer. This is because, if the personal computer has genuinely been hacked it was not a deliberate attempt by the solicitor to reveal confidential information.
Even if the computer was one used at work, if the computer was genuinely hacked, the solicitor has not breached confidentiality, as it was for the firm to mitigate the risk of such an occurrence.…