Charity and Property Law for churches and charities

Privacy Statement

I am committed to respecting your protecting your privacy. This statement sets out how I will use personal data that you provide me with or that I collect about you. References in this statement to “you” are references to any individual reading the statement.

The data I’m likely to hold

I’m likely to hold the following types of information about my clients or prospective clients:

  • Contact details (name, address, email, phone number)
  • Identification information (date of birth, passport details, driving licence, images)
  • Financial information (bank statements, utility bills)
  • IP address (if you use the contact form on my website)
  • Case-related information and documentation

Where I obtain the data from

Most of this information will be provided to me by my clients, either directly via telephone, email and post or indirectly through the contact form on my website or ID verification providers such as InfoTrack that my clients have used to verify their identity.

If you use the contact form on my website, this will provide me with the IP address of the device that you were using when you completed the form unless you use a VPN.

What I will use the data for

I will use personal data for the following purposes:

  • Providing legal services and advice
  • Managing and maintaining client relationships
  • Complying with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Marketing to you

Marketing

I may use your personal data for the purpose of providing you with legal updates or information on services that I can provide to you that are similar to services that you have contacted me about or that I have already provided to you. If you would not like to receive this kind of information please simply use the contact form on this site to let me know.

Sharing data with third parties

I may need to share your personal data with third parties to provide you with the services you have requested, e.g. if you instruct me to register your property ownership at the Land Registry or to obtain an opinion from a barrister. In these cases I will share the minimum amount of data necessary.

If I merge my legal practice with another business, I may share your personal data with that business as part of the merger.

There may also be circumstances in which I am legally required to share your personal data with relevant authorities.

Legal basis for using your personal data

The law only allows me to use your personal data if one of the legal bases specified in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies. In most cases one or more of the following will apply.

  1. The use is necessary to perform the contract that I have made with you or to take steps that you have requested before entering into a contract with you.
  2. The use necessary is necessary for me to pursue a legitimate interest.
  3. The use is necessary for me to comply with a legal obligation.
  4. You have given me your consent to use the data. (You can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting me, but I will still be able to use your data if one of the other bases above still applies).

Storage of your personal data

On completion of a project, any information connected to the project held in paper files will be electronically scanned within six weeks of completion and the papers records will be shredded. Information held electronically will be stored securely on my own devices and secure online storage facilities such as Microsoft OneDrive. Information connected to a project will be stored for a minimum of 6 years (or 12 years in cases where the project involved the transfer of rights in real estate). Thereafter the data will be retained indefinitely subject to your right to request for personal data to be erased.

If you have given me consent to use your personal data for marketing purposes or legal updates, I will retain the data needed to contact you until you tell me that you no longer wish to provide you with updates or marking information.  

Your data protection rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

  1. Right of access – You have the right to ask me for copies of your personal information.
  2. Right to rectification – You have the right to ask me to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask me to complete information you think is incomplete.
  3. Right to erasure – You have the right to ask me to erase your personal information in certain circumstances.
  4. Right to restriction of processing – You have the right to ask us to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  5. Right to object to processing – You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  6. Right to data portability – You have the right to ask that I transfer the personal information you gave me to another organisation, or to you, in certain circumstances.
  7. You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, I have one month to respond to you.

How to complain

If you have any concerns about my use of your personal information, please contact me to let me know. My complaints’ policy is available here.

You can also complain to the Information Commission’s Office (ICO) if you are unhappy with how I have used your data. My registration number with the ICO is ZB634336

The ICO’s address:      

Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk

Changes to the Privacy Statement

I reserve the right to update this Privacy Statement from time to time. Changes will be effective immediately on posting the new version.