Privacy

In the process of providing and marketing the legal services offered by our firm, APJ Law may collect Personal Information from clients.

When collecting this information, APJ Law is bound by the National Privacy Principles contained in the Federal Privacy Act (1988).

APJ Law has also adopted this Privacy Policy to ensure that any Personal Information is protected in accordance with the Australian privacy laws.

WHY DOES APJ LAW COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION?

APJ Law collects  Personal Information in order to:

  • Provide services;
  • Meet our legal obligations; and
  • Market its services.

WHAT IS PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Personal Information is information or an opinion (including information or opinions on a data base) whether true or not, whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent or can be reasonably be determined from that information or opinion.

ABOUT WHOM DO WE COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION:

  • Our clients;
  • Business associates;
  • Potential clients;
  • Clients and potential clients’ employees;
  • Third parties referred to in documents;
  • Our employers and prospective employees contractors;
  • Contractors and suppliers of other services, including legal services; and
  • Other people with whom APJ Law comes into contact.

WHAT INFORMATION IS COLLECTED?

The type of information we collect and hold includes, but is not limited to:

  • Names;
  • Addresses;
  • Contact information;
  • Occupation; and
  • Other information which assists us in providing our services and assisting clients or potential clients, marketing our services and meeting our legal obligations.

COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

We collect information through:

  • Meeting with clients or potential clients;
  • Completion of forms and documents by clients or potential clients;
  • Interviews;
  • items supplied by clients like financial reports and statements;
  • Business records (including business cards);
  • Clients or potential clients supplying us with information;
  • Employees or potential employees supplying us with information;
  • Telephone conversations;
  • Emails;
  • Written correspondence; and
  • Third parties, for example a medical report or expert report.

USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

The use and disclosure of Personal Information may be for the primary purpose for which it was intended or for a secondary purpose which may be reasonably expected and as may be allowed under the Privacy Act.

Generally your Personal Information may be disclosed to:

  • Other individuals or companies who assist APJ Law in providing services to you or perform functions on your behalf such as barristers, other specialist consultants and related service providers;
  • Courts, tribunals and regulatory authorities; and
  • Any other personal or company to whom you authorise us to disclose information to.

MAINTAINING PERSONAL INFORMATION

Under the Privacy Act we are required to take reasonable steps to protect the security of Personal Information, to protect it from misuse, loss or unauthorised access, or disclosure.

APJ Law’s staff are required to maintain confidentiality of any Personal Information.

Your Personal Information may be maintained both in our data bases and in paper based files.

SENSITIVE INFORMATION

Some of the information we collect may be “sensitive information”

“Sensitive Information” includes information relating to a person’s criminal record, racial or ethnic origin, religion, sexual preference, political opinion or membership of a trade union, trade  professional association.  It includes health information (and genetic) information about an individual.

Sensitive Information may be collected where necessary for us to provide services to you.    We will only use and disclose this information with your consent or where required by law to do so.

YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

You may seek access to the Personal Information which is held by APJ Law about you by contacting APJ Law’s Privacy Officer, Mrs Jennifer Lane on (02) 6730 2222.