This Notice is primarily for the benefit of our clients or potential clients or for related third parties whose data we may process as part of the provision of legal services. We maintain and will provide separate privacy notices in relation to the collection and use of personal information about our staff and employees, including potential employees, during and after their working relationship with us.
This firm processes your data in accordance with the terms of the Data Protection Act 2018, the Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and the relevant provisions relating to the General Data Protection Regulation contained within the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (UK GDPR). This Data & Privacy Notice explains, in detail, the types of personal data we may collect about you when you interact with us. It also explains how we will store and handle that data and keep it safe.
We know that there's a lot of information here, but we want you to be fully informed about your rights, and how our firm uses your data. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us.
Conditions for Processing Data
We are only entitled to hold and process your data where the law allows us to. The current law on data protection (Article 6 GDPR) sets out a number of different reasons for which a law firm may collect and process your personal data. These include contractual obligations, legitimate interests, legal compliance, and consent.
- Contractual obligations — the main purpose for holding your data is to provide you with legal services under the agreement we have with you.
- Legitimate interests — for example to satisfy our external quality auditors or our Regulators, where this does not materially impact your rights.
- Legal compliance — where the law requires us to collect and process your data.
- Consent — for example when you tick a box to receive email newsletters.
When do we collect your data?
We normally collect your data when you provide it to us or when it is provided to us by others during your case. You may give us your data by email; through an online web form; over the telephone; face to face; or by post. We also collect data automatically with regard to each of your visits to our website including technical information.
What sort of data do we collect?
You may voluntarily give us personal information when you contact us via our website, sign up to newsletters, interact with us on social media, or use our services. Client services data may include name and contact details, date of birth, payment and financial information, and information about your case or legal problem. In some circumstances we may process special category data where necessary for legal claims.
How do we use your data?
We only use your data for the purposes of providing you with legal advice, assistance and where appropriate, representation and for reasons directly associated with those services. We also use data to communicate with our regulators, to obey applicable laws, and — where we have your consent — to notify you of our other services. We may also use data to enhance your online experience and administer our website securely.
Cookies
A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. You can choose to accept or decline cookies. By law, we may not place cookies on your computer without your consent, unless they are strictly necessary to the operation of the service that we provide on the Website. We may use Google Analytics to monitor how our website is being used so we can make improvements.
If you have any queries about the cookies that we use, or would like more information, please contact tony@ablegalsolicitors.co.uk.
How do we protect your data?
We take protecting your data very seriously. The data you give us may be subject to Legal Professional Privilege and is often extremely sensitive and confidential. Access to your personal data is password-protected, and sensitive data is secured by encryption. We regularly monitor our systems for possible vulnerabilities and attacks.
How long will we keep your data?
We only keep your data for as long as is necessary for the purpose(s) for which it was provided. Matter files are usually kept for six years after the case ends (or longer where required). Crime or fraud prevention data may be retained for five years. Enquiries where we do not take on your case are kept for 18 months. Complaints files are kept for six years after the complaint is concluded. Financial information is generally kept for seven years to comply with HMRC requirements.
Who do we share your personal data with?
We sometimes share your personal data with trusted third parties where it is necessary for providing you legal services or for the effective operation of our legal practice — for example barristers, experts, translators, auditors, and secure storage providers. We provide only the information they need and require them to protect your privacy.
Where is your data processed?
Your data is stored and processed within the United Kingdom (UK). If we ever have to share your personal data with third parties and suppliers outside the UK we will seek your specific consent to do so.
What are your rights?
Under the UK GDPR you have rights including: to be informed; of access; to rectification; to erasure; to restrict processing; to data portability; to object; and rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling. For further details, visit the Information Commissioner’s Office at https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/.
Contact Details
The person in this firm responsible for data protection is Anthony Brindley. Enquiries and requests can be sent by telephone 0115 964 8203, by emailing tony@ablegalsolicitors.co.uk, or in writing to AB Legal Solicitors, NBV Enterprise Centre, 6 David Lane, Nottingham, NG6 0JU.
The Regulator
If you feel that your data has not been handled correctly, or you are unhappy with our response regarding the use of your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office. You can contact them by calling 0303 123 1113 or online at www.ico.org.uk/concerns.
Changes to this Notice
We reserve the right to revise this Notice at any time. If this Notice changes in any way, we will place an updated version on this webpage. For clients with ongoing instructions, we will provide a copy directly where appropriate. Continued instructions to us will signify that you agree to any such changes.