Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect and process the following categories of personal data:

1.1. Information You Provide

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
• Case Details: Information related to your legal matter, such as case descriptions, documents, and any other relevant details you provide.
• Payment Details: Bank account or payment information, if applicable.

1.2. Information Collected Automatically

• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and browsing behavior when you use our website.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Information collected via cookies to enhance your browsing experience.

1.3. Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from third parties, such as:

• Referrals from other professionals.
• Publicly available information from registers or directories.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

2.1. Legal Services

• To provide legal advice and services tailored to your case.
• To draft documents and facilitate mediation or other non-reserved legal activities.

2.2. Communication

• To respond to your inquiries and provide updates about your case.
• To send newsletters or marketing communications (with your consent).

2.3. Legal Compliance

• To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations, including anti-money laundering (AML) requirements.

2.4. Website Management

• To improve the functionality and user experience of our website.
• To analyse website usage and monitor security.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on the following lawful grounds:

• Consent: Where you have explicitly consented to processing (e.g., for marketing).
• Contractual Necessity: To perform our contract with you.
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations.
• Legitimate Interests: For business purposes, such as improving our services and ensuring website security.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal data. However, we may share your data with the following parties:

• Service Providers: IT support, payment processors, and marketing platforms.
• Professional Advisors: Accountants, insurers, or other legal professionals assisting in your case.
• Regulatory Bodies: When required to comply with legal obligations.
• Third Parties with Your Consent: When necessary for specific services, such as mediation referrals.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including satisfying legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. The retention period will depend on:

• The nature of your case or inquiry.
• Legal or regulatory retention requirements.

Once the retention period expires, we securely delete or anonymise your data.

6. Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

• Access: To request a copy of your personal data.
• Correction: To request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure: To request deletion of your data where appropriate.
• Restriction: To restrict the processing of your data in certain circumstances.
• Data Portability: To receive your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Objection: To object to data processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
• Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at steven@gilbertslaw.co.uk

7. Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect your personal data, including:

• Encryption of sensitive data.
• Secure storage and restricted access to physical and digital files.
• Regular security audits and staff training on data protection.

However, no system can be completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.

8. International Data Transfers

If your personal data is transferred outside the UK, we will ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
• Transfers to jurisdictions with adequate data protection laws.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to improve functionality and analyze usage. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. For more information, see our [Cookie Policy].

10. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your data.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us:

steven@gilbertslaw.co.uk

We are committed to addressing your concerns promptly and transparently.

Last Updated: 24th of January 2025