Data Protection Act 2018UK · 2018 c. 12
Digiphile
Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12) – Section 54 – Meaning of “applicable time period”

Sections

Section 54Meaning of “applicable time period”

(1) This section defines “the applicable time period” for the purposes of sections 45(3)(b) [F1and (5)] [F2, 48(2)(b) and 53(7)].
(2) “The applicable time period” means the period of [F3one month] beginning with the relevant time [F4, subject to subsection (3A)].
(3) “The relevant time” means the latest of the following—
  • (a)
    when the controller receives the request in question;
  • (b)
    when the controller receives the information (if any) requested in connection with a request under section 52(4);
  • (c)
    when the fee (if any) charged in connection with the request under section 53 is paid.
(3A) [F5 The controller may, by giving notice to the data subject, extend the applicable time period by two further months where that is necessary by reason of—
  • (a)
    the complexity of requests made by the data subject, or
  • (b)
    the number of such requests.
(3B) A notice under subsection (3A) must—
  • (a)
    be given before the end of the period of one month beginning with the relevant time, and
  • (b)
    state the reasons for the delay.
(3C) Where the controller reasonably requires further information in order to identify the information or processing activities to which a request under section 45(1) relates—
  • (a)
    the controller may ask the data subject to provide the further information, and
  • (b)
    the period beginning with the day on which the controller makes the request and ending with the day on which the controller receives the information does not count towards—
    • (i)
      the applicable time period, or
    • (ii)
      the period described in subsection (3B)(a).
(3D) An example of a case in which a controller may reasonably require further information is where the controller processes a large amount of information concerning the data subject.]
(4) F6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5) F6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6) F6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Amended text

This Section is shown as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), among other instruments (see the annotations below) (commenced provisions as at 30 September 2026, ELI), as incorporated in the text in force on 30 September 2026 as published on legislation.gov.uk.

Annotations

Textual Amendments

  1. F1 Words in s. 54(1) inserted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 76(6)(a), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(h) (with reg. 4)
  2. F2 Words in s. 54(1) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 75(3), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(g)
  3. F3 Words in s. 54(2) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 76(6)(b)(i), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(h) (with reg. 4)
  4. F4 Words in s. 54(2) inserted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 76(6)(b)(ii), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(h) (with reg. 4)
  5. F5 S. 54(3A)-(3D) inserted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 76(6)(c), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(h) (with reg. 4)
  6. F6 S. 54(4)-(6) omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 76(6)(d), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(h) (with reg. 4)

Commencement Information

  1. I1 S. 54 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 212(2)(f)
  2. I2 S. 54 in force at 25.5.2018 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(c)

https://dpa2018.digiphile.law/article/article-54.html

Text as at 18 September 2026.

This is an unofficial convenience version of the Data Protection Act 2018. It is presented “as is” without guarantee of accuracy, completeness or reliability. See the source text for the official version. This site was last updated in September 2026.

Type to search the full text.