About This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Gair Legal Pty Ltd and its related entities (‘Gair Legal’, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’) may collect, use, disclose and otherwise handle ‘personal information’.
By using our website and services, or otherwise providing information to us, you consent to the handling of your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Statement of Commitment
Gair Legal is committed to protecting personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (‘Privacy Act’) and the 13 Australian Privacy Principles forming part of the Privacy Act.
As legal practitioners, we are also subject to strict professional obligations of confidentiality and legal professional privilege in relation to information provided to us in the course of acting for clients.
What is Personal Information?
‘Personal information’ has the meaning given to it in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Generally, it refers to information or an opinion relating to an identified individual, or an individual who can reasonably be identified, regardless of whether the information is true or recorded in a material form.
‘Sensitive information’ is a subset of personal information that is afforded additional protection under the Privacy Act. This includes information or an opinion about an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, membership of a professional or trade association or trade union, sexual orientation or practices, criminal record and health information.
References to ‘personal information’ in this Privacy Policy includes ‘sensitive information’ where applicable.
Am I Required to Provide Personal Information?
You are not required to provide personal information when making a general enquiry or visiting our website.
However, in many circumstances we may be unable to provide legal services or otherwise assist you unless certain information is provided. In some circumstances, we are also required by law to collect information before acting for clients.
What Personal Information Does Gair Legal Collect?
The personal information we collect depends on the nature of your interaction with us and the services we provide.
In the course of conducting our business and providing legal services, we may collect:
- name, address, phone number, email address and other contact details;
- employment and professional information;
- financial and billing information;
- information relating to legal proceedings or disputes;
- health or medical information relevant to claims or proceedings; and
- information relating to recruitment and employment applications.
If you contact us through our website or by email, we may collect the contents of your enquiry and any information you choose to provide.
Please avoid including confidential, sensitive or legally privileged information in initial website enquiries.
Where reasonably necessary, we may also collect personal information from third parties including insurers, courts, tribunals, government agencies, medical practitioners, recruitment providers and other parties connected with legal matters or proceedings.
How Does Gair Legal Collect Personal Information?
Gair Legal collects personal information by lawful and fair means and only where reasonably necessary for our functions and activities.
We may collect personal information directly from you, including when you:
- communicate with us;
- engage our services;
- submit information through our website;
- attend meetings or events;
- subscribe to publications or updates; or
- apply for employment with us.
We may also collect information from third parties in the course of providing legal services.
Why Does Gair Legal Collect and Use Personal Information?
Gair Legal collects, holds and uses personal information to provide legal services, manage legal matters and proceedings, operate our business and comply with legal and professional obligations.
We may also use personal information for:
- recruitment and employment purposes;
- administration, billing and record-keeping;
- responding to enquiries and requests;
- maintaining and improving our systems and website; and
- providing legal updates, publications and invitations to seminars or events.
We may otherwise collect, use or disclose personal information where permitted or required by law.
Disclosure of Personal Information
In the course of providing legal services and conducting our business, Gair Legal may disclose personal information to third parties including:
- barristers, experts and consultants;
- insurers and professional advisers;
- courts, tribunals and government authorities;
- IT, cloud storage and document management providers; and
- other service providers engaged by us.
We may also disclose personal information where:
- you have authorised us to do so;
- disclosure is required or permitted by law; or
- disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect health or safety.
We do not sell, rent or trade personal information.
Some third-party providers engaged by Gair Legal may store information overseas or operate from overseas jurisdictions. Where appropriate, we take reasonable steps to ensure those providers handle personal information consistently with Australian privacy laws.
Direct Marketing
Gair Legal may use personal information to provide legal updates, publications, event invitations and information about our services where you would reasonably expect to receive those communications.
You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by contacting us or by using the unsubscribe facility included in electronic communications.
Website and Cookie Policy
We may collect information through our website, including where you complete online forms or otherwise provide information electronically.
Our website may use cookies and analytics tools, including Google Analytics, to collect statistical and technical information such as browser type, operating system, pages viewed and referring websites.
This information is used to analyse website traffic and improve website functionality and content.
You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although this may affect website functionality.
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. Gair Legal is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites.
Security of Personal Information
Gair Legal takes reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference and loss, and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Personal information may be stored in physical and electronic form, including through secure document management systems and cloud-based storage providers.
We maintain reasonable physical, electronic and administrative safeguards to protect personal information.
While we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Retention of Personal Information
Gair Legal retains personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for legal, regulatory and business purposes, including compliance with professional obligations and applicable legal requirements.
When personal information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to securely destroy or de-identify it.
Access to and Correction of Personal Information
You may request access to personal information we hold about you and request correction of inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information.
Requests should be made in writing using the contact details below. We may require proof of identity before providing access.
There may be circumstances in which access is refused in accordance with the Privacy Act, including where legal professional privilege or confidentiality obligations apply.
Privacy Complaints
If you have any concerns or complaints regarding the handling of your personal information, please contact us using the details below.
We will investigate complaints promptly and confidentially and endeavour to resolve them within a reasonable period.
How to Contact Gair Legal
We can be contacted at:
Address: Privacy Officer
Gair Legal
Suite 635, Pittwater Road
DEE WHY NSW 2099
Email: admin@gairlegal.com.au
Phone: +61 2 9916 9600
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
If you are dissatisfied with our response to a privacy complaint, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (“OAIC”). Contact details for the OAIC are as follows:
Address: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5218
Sydney, NSW 2001
Phone: 1300 363 992
Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au
Changes to this Privacy Policy
Gair Legal may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal obligations, business practices or website functionality.
The current version of this Privacy Policy will be available on our website.
