Stevens Partners Lawyers

This Policy outlines the way in which we, Stevens Partners Lawyers (“we”, “us” or “our”), manage personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Personal Information

We collect, hold, use and disclose personal information to carry out functions and perform activities in the ordinary course of our business, including in providing conveyancing and legal services, as a Form 1 service provider, achieving our business objectives, marketing and in meeting our legal obligations.

Collection

The primary way we collect personal information is when information is provided to us by our clients in the course of acting on their behalf and performing a requested legal service. This information may include a client’s name, contact details, occupation, preferred communication method, financial and payment details, and any other relevant information required to carry out the requested service. Further, if provided by you, we may also collect and hold information relating to your passport, driver’s licence, birth certificate, marriage certificate or other identity documents.

We may also collect personal information from a third party, such as an accountant, real estate agent, legal representative, court, tribunal or other professional adviser, by way of correspondence, telephone conferences, in-person meetings, or from enquiries submitted via our website.

We may use a range of tools provided by third parties, including Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and our website hosting provider, to collect or view website traffic information. These third parties have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them.

We may also collect email addresses and other details if you subscribe to our newsletters or other communications.

Other types of personal information we may collect and hold include information about:

• Individual and corporate interests from publicly available sources, including the Land Titles Office, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and other public registers;
• Suppliers of goods and services to our practice;
• Our employees’ employment history, qualifications and references; and
• Other individuals who come into contact with our practice in connection with our services.

Like many websites, our site may make use of “cookie” technology to measure site activity and customise information to your preferences. A cookie is an element of data that a website can send to your browser, which may then store the cookie on your device so we can recognise you when you return. This allows us to tailor your experience, save you time, and provide a more meaningful visit. You may configure your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie; however, please note that declining cookies may limit the functionality we can provide on our website.

Use and Disclosure

Personal information is confidential and we will only use personal information for the purpose for which it was collected, or for a related purpose if the use was reasonably expected, with your consent, or as required by law.

The most common situation where we use and disclose personal information, with express or implied authority, is in the performance of our legal services on behalf of a client, which includes:

• Dealing with a client and a client’s nominated bank, financial institution or other relevant party;
• Communicating with third parties involved in the matter;
• Dealing with other lawyers and law firms;
• Preparing and negotiating legal documentation;
• Acquiring information from statutory authorities;
• Engaging specialist service providers, including barristers, experts, consultants, accountants, valuers, surveyors, and other professional advisers;
• Managing billing and sending invoices; and
• Other purposes related to the above.

We may also use personal information to respond to enquiries, comply with our professional and legal obligations, and, subject to providing the ability to unsubscribe and having express or inferred consent, for marketing purposes, such as newsletters, publications, seminars and events.

Confidentiality and Legal Professional Privilege

As a legal practice, we are subject to strict professional duties of confidentiality.

Information provided to us in connection with legal advice or representation may also be protected by legal professional privilege. We take reasonable steps to safeguard confidential and privileged information in accordance with our professional obligations.

Quality of Personal Information

We take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we collect is accurate, up-to-date and complete.

We record information in a consistent format and, where appropriate, confirm its accuracy with clients or third parties. We invite you to notify us if your personal information changes or requires correction.

We also review the quality of personal information before we use or disclose it.

Storage and Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Personal information may be stored in secure office premises and electronic databases with access controls.

When personal information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to ensure it is securely destroyed or de-identified.

Client files are generally retained for a minimum of seven (7) years, or longer where required by law or professional obligations.

Disclosure to Overseas Recipients

We may disclose personal information to overseas recipients who assist us in providing services or who perform functions on our behalf, such as cloud-based IT service providers or specialist consultants.

Where we disclose personal information overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient complies with the Australian Privacy Principles or is subject to substantially similar privacy obligations.

Notifiable Data Breaches

If we experience a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm, we will comply with our obligations under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including notifying affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner where required.

Access and Correction

Subject to the exceptions set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), a person may seek access to and correction of the personal information we hold by contacting us in writing.

We may require verification of identity before granting access.

If we refuse access to, or correction of, personal information, we will provide written reasons.

Further Questions and Complaints

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to access or correct personal information, request not to receive marketing material, or make a privacy complaint, please contact:

Stevens Partners Lawyers
Level 22, 30 Pirie Street Adelaide SA 5000
PO Box 3436 Rundle Mall SA 5000
T (08) 8232 8255
E [email protected]

Any complaint will be investigated and we will respond within a reasonable time.

If we are unable to satisfactorily resolve a complaint about our handling of personal information, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner via www.oaic.gov.au.

Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy from time to time by publishing the updated version on our website. We recommend reviewing this Policy periodically to remain informed of any changes.