We, at Aarndale Solicitors, recognize the importance of confidentiality and sensitivity of personal information of individuals. Therefore as a Law Firm, we have a professional and ethical obligation to keep safe all personal information received in the course of providing legal services and those received from visitors to our website. We are committed to safeguarding all such personal information in compliance with relevant laws at the International and National levels.

 

Personal information we collect

 

We may collect any Personal information that identifies a person including: name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, and other related information. Business contacts and information such as office address, job title, and office contacts are not considered personal information. We apply reasonable and prudent business practices when collecting Personal information.

 

Why we collect Personal Information

We collect personal information for the purposes of serving the legal and related needs of our clients. We also require personal information to:

  • Understand, access and assist our clients with their legal needs.
  • Ensure the information we disseminate to the public is accurate in cases of legal representation and retainership.
  • Comply with legal obligations.
  • Adequately respond to inquiries.
  • Provide updated reports on various legal areas.
  • Carry out relevant surveys for public benefit.
  • Develop a database for conducting certain professional and organizational research.

 

How we collect your personal information

All personal information is collected directly and legally with prior consent of the subject through the following ways

  • when we offer legal services;
  • when your organization provides services to us;
  • when you access our website;
  • when you send us email or contact us through our social media platforms.

 

 

 

Where your personal information is required by third parties such as medical professionals or financial institutions, we do ensure that we obtain your written consent in this regard. We may also be required to obtain on your behalf in the course of providing legal service relevant information from public registries such the Marriage Registry, Land Registry or the Probate Registry, financial institutions, your employer, law enforcement and authorities.

 

Obtaining your Consent

In line with international best practices with respect to obtaining prior consent from you before using or disclosing your personal information, we undertake that we shall apply the following procedures:

  • Request for your written or express oral consent, which may be given in person, by email or over the telephone if your identity is authenticated;
  • Where you volunteer to provide relevant personal information verbally or in writing, we assume that you are consenting to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy;
  • In certain circumstances, we may require an express consent in writing vide a letter, application form, electronic signature, or other document in order to authorize certain activities;
  • There are circumstances where we may be required by law, to collect, use and disclose personal information without your prior consent. We shall handle all personal information confidentially.

We may also disclose your personal information without your prior consent under the following circumstances:

  • When we are required or authorized by law to do so;
  • When the use of the information is necessary to respond to an emergency that threatens the life, health or security of an individual or the public;
  • When it is necessary to establish or collect our fees; or
  • If the information is already known to public.

 

How your Personal Information is used.

We utilize your personal information strictly to provide legal advice and services to you. Subject to your consent, we may send you information about new developments in the law. You may at any time withdraw your consent by notifying us of your intention to do so, and we shall cease to send you any such materials. We shall not disclose or exchange for compensation, your personal information to any third party to enable them to market their products and services.

 

Whom we may release your personal information to?

In the course of providing legal services and for the purpose of satisfying certain needs, with your prior consent, we may provide your personal information to the following:

  • Our employees and agents who use the information for the reasonable business purpose of providing you with legal services;
  • To a third party we contract to provide administrative services to the law firm (such as computer back-up services or archival file storage) and such third party shall comply with our privacy policy;
  • Professionals working with us such as investigators, paralegals and experts;
  • Financial institutions;
  • Law enforcement authorities with Court order to release certain personal information.

 

Accuracy of Your Personal Information

You may at any time during our professional relationship inform us of any change or update to your personal information within our database. We may also request for such update when necessary as we rely on you to provide us with accurate and updated personal and business contact information for the purposes of providing you with legal services and to maintain contact with you.

 

Protecting your personal information

In order to protect your personal information, we observe the following:

  • We do not collect, use or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than those we identify to you or are reasonably evident;
  • We only disclose your personal information to those persons who have a need to know your personal information for the purposes stated in this Privacy Policy.
  • We keep your personal information only for as long as needed or as required by law.
  • We maintain your personal information in an accurate and updated form.
  • We keep your personal information physically and electronically secure by using lock up cabinets and encrypted electronic devices.

 

Communication of Personal Information by Email

The use of Electronic mail is not a secure means of communicating your confidential and personal information to us. We shall not use e-mail to send personal or confidential information except you expressly authorize this form of communication and accept all the inherent risks thereof

 

 

Amendment of this Privacy Policy

We may review and amend this Privacy Policy from time to time in order to update our privacy commitment to you in keeping with relevant laws.

 

Contact Information.

Please contact us or access our website if you wish to withdraw your consent regarding the usage and disclosure of your personal information or you have specific concerns about this privacy policies.