As Solicitors, a fundamental aspect of our relationship with our clients is confidentiality. Information relating to you is kept confidential and only released to the extent required by the work entrusted to us, as authorised by you or where required by the law.
As at 21st December 2002, we were required to comply with the provisions of the amended Privacy Act 1988, which contains principles concerning the collection, use and disclosure of private information obtained in the course of doing business. The full text of the Act can made available to you should you so require.
This statement briefly outlines our obligations and procedures regarding the collection, handling and disclosure of personal information. For the sake of clarity, personal information is information that identifies a person and which includes information relating to the person’s name, address, marital status and financial information.
TYPE OF INFORMATION COLLECTED
In addition to personal information, we collect information required to carry out the services requested by you, which may include your contact details, occupation, bank account and other financial details.
Information is collected from settlement instructions received from real estate agents, from you over the phone, in meetings or via written instructions. Information may also be collected from other parties or sources such as other settlement agents.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT COLLECTING INFORMATION
If the above information is not collected, we may not be able to provide the services requested by you.
THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH PERSONAL INFORMATION IS COLLECTED
We collect personal information to:-
- Provide the legal services requested by you;
- Contact you;
- Inform you of the services offered by our firm;
- Help us improve our service; and
- Comply with any legal obligations imposed on us.
TO WHOM THIS INFORMATION IS USUALLY PASSED
The information collected may be passed:-
- To other staff within CS Legal.
- To any person or body where necessary and in connection to any of the services being provided by us, such as government and other regulatory bodies, other parties to the transaction, external advisors, financial institutions, the courts and tribunals
- To any person to whom you have directed us or consented to provide your personal information.
- To any person or body where the law requires us to do so.
COLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
Personal information when first collected is entered into our computer system and in files. The information entered is checked to ensure accuracy. If there is any doubt over the accuracy of the details, you will be contacted and the information corrected, if necessary. You may also contact us to correct or update your personal information at no charge.
Personal information in our computer systems are protected by security devices, which prevent unauthorised access, use, loss and modification. Access to the computer system can only be gained by staff members with the required passwords. Only staff members with the required passwords have access to the system.
Personal information in our computer system is generally deleted as soon as it is no longer required. Files relating to work done by us, which contain your personal information, are kept securely for a minimum period of 6 years and thereafter destroyed.
ACCESS TO PERSONAL INFORMATION
You may have access to the personal information on you held by us subject to the exceptions in the National Privacy Principles.
Should you require such access you may contact our Privacy Officer, whose name and contact number appears below. A fee may be charged for such access.
CONTACT
If you have any queries regarding the above please contact our Privacy Officer, Judy Chowdhury on (08) 9476 4499.