Refinitiv to delete politicians’ [PEP] grandchildren from its World-Check database

Speed Read

• An unusual case was due to be heard in the High Court in April 2026. It was unusual because, while there have been several data protection claims against know-your-client (KYC) databases, none had previously made it anywhere near trial.
• Had there not been a last-minute settlement, it would have been the first time the High Court grappled with the UK GDPR’s Article 22 automated decision-making regime.
• The court was set to hear attempts by Nadežda Lazarević and Danica Karić Stojilković, acting on behalf of their children, to have those children delisted from Refinitiv’s World-Check product.
• In the event, the highly anticipated trial was averted when the claim was settled confidentially on 18 April 2026 (on the eve of trial).
• Mr Justice Clive Sheldon formally approved the settlement on 20 April 2026. Terms remain confidential.
• We now have another opportunity to see the UK GDPR’s Article 22 tested in a separate and entirely distinct case against Refinitiv, which remains scheduled to go to trial in June 2026.

Executive Summary

• On or around 18 April 2026, a high-profile UK GDPR claim against Refinitiv Limited (now part of LSEG Risk Intelligence) concerning its World-Check database was settled confidentially on the eve of trial.
• The claimants—two minor children (Luka Lazarević and Petar Stojilković), acting through their mothers as litigation friends—sought to be delisted from the database on the grounds that their inclusion as relatives of politically exposed persons (PEPs) was unlawful under data protection law.

• The case was notable as the first GDPR/UK GDPR challenge against a major KYC due-diligence provider to reach the brink of trial in the High Court of Justice (King’s Bench Division).
• It also raised novel issues around automated decision-making under Article 22 UK GDPR. Mr Justice Clive Sheldon approved the settlement on 20 April 2026. Terms remain confidential.

Case Details and Parties

• Case Name / Citation: Lazar Lazarevic and another v Refinitiv Ltd [2026] KB-2026-001313 (settlement filing); original proceedings referenced as KB-2024-003170.
• Claimants: Luka Lazarević (by Nadežda Lazarević) and Petar Stojilković (by Danica Karić Stojilković) — grandchildren of Serbian politicians, listed in World-Check as PEP relatives.
• Defendant: Refinitiv Limited (operator of World-Check).
• Claimants’ Solicitors: Fieldfisher.

Background on Refinitiv World-Check

• World-Check is a leading commercial risk intelligence database used globally for KYC, AML, CTF, and sanctions screening. It includes PEPs, their family members/close associates, and other risk profiles.

Nature of the GDPR Claim

• The claim focused on the right to erasure (Article 17 UK GDPR), accuracy/lawfulness of processing (Articles 5 & 6), objection to processing (Article 21), and automated decision-making (Article 22).

Procedural History & Settlement Outcome

• Proceedings issued in 2024; trial was due around 22 April 2026. Settlement reached 18 April 2026 and approved 20 April 2026. Terms are confidential (some reports suggest delisting occurred; others state the names remain — final outcome not publicly confirmed).

Legal and Industry Implications

• No precedent-setting judgment was issued on key GDPR issues for KYC databases.
• The case highlights ongoing tensions between regulatory compliance needs and individual data rights.

Top 10 Most Relevant Web Sources (Cut-and-Paste Ready)

Here are the best and most directly relevant sources covering the April 2026 settlement (prioritised by recency, detail, and authority). All are publicly accessible links (some may require login/subscription):

1. Law360 – Refinitiv Settles Children's World-Check Privacy Claim https://www.law360.com/articles/2467249/refinitiv-settles-children-s-world-check-privacy-claim
2. Lexology PRO – UK KYC database GDPR claim settles on eve of trial https://www.lexology.com/pro/content/uk-kyc-database-gdpr-claim-settles-eve-of-trial-refinitiv-Lazarevic-Stojilkovic-world-check
3. Financial Times – Refinitiv to delete profiles of politicians’ grandchildren after lawsuit https://www.ft.com/content/41b57166-e631-4587-962d-18a031a6b997
4. LinkedIn (Tom Webb) – GDPR Claim Against Refinitiv's World-Check Settled (detailed breaking post) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-webb-8b2b783a_breaking-from-the-high-court-the-first-activity-7451929018444156928-7afV
5. Caseboard.io – Official case page (KB-2026-001313 settlement filing) https://caseboard.io/cases/0f00013a-4e35-42b2-b9d0-43344b403933
6. BIF.rs (Serbian coverage of the Karić family / claimants’ side) https://bif.rs/2026/04/kako-je-porodica-karic-uspela-da-zastiti-podatke-svoje-dece/
7. Lexology PRO (pre-settlement) – Trials imminent in UK KYC data protection claims https://www.lexology.com/pro/content/trial-imminent-in-uk-kyc-data-protection-claim-refinitiv-article-22-uk-gdpr-automated-decision-making
8. Caseboard.io – Original proceedings page (KB-2024-003170) https://caseboard.io/cases/e22f74c8-c08a-4823-b798-674bb624e096
9. LinkedIn (Tom Webb pre-trial post) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-webb-8b2b783a_an-unusual-case-will-be-going-to-trial-in-activity-7435711537551654912-S4oF
10. AML Intelligence – Refinitiv to delete politicians’ grandchildren from its World-Check database https://www.amlintelligence.com/2026/04/news-refinitiv-to-delete-politicians-grandchildren-from-its-world-check-database/

Law360
Lexology PRO