Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Harbour Legal Partners ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website or use our services.

This policy complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Name and contact details (email address, phone number, postal address)
• Date of birth and identification documents
• Professional information and employment details
• Financial information relevant to legal matters
• Information about your legal matter and related communications
• Information collected through cookies and similar technologies

2.2 Sensitive Information

In some circumstances, we may need to collect sensitive information such as health information or information about criminal records. We will only collect sensitive information with your consent or where permitted by law.

3. How We Collect Information

We collect personal information through:

• Contact forms and consultation booking forms on our website
• Email, telephone, or in-person communications
• Client intake forms and engagement letters
• Court documents and legal proceedings
• Third parties such as other legal representatives or authorities
• Publicly available sources

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Providing legal services and advice
• Communicating with you about your legal matter
• Processing consultation bookings and inquiries
• Maintaining client records and case management
• Complying with legal and regulatory obligations
• Improving our services and website functionality
• Marketing our services (with your consent)
• Internal administration and business operations

5. Disclosure of Information

We may disclose your personal information to:

• Other legal practitioners within our firm
• Barristers, expert witnesses, and other legal professionals
• Courts, tribunals, and regulatory authorities
• Opposing parties and their legal representatives
• Service providers such as IT support, document management, and cloud storage providers
• Professional indemnity insurers
• Law enforcement agencies when required by law

We will not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure data storage and encryption
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security assessments
• Staff training on privacy and data protection
• Secure communication channels

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy and to comply with our legal and professional obligations. Legal files are typically retained for at least seven years after completion of a matter, in accordance with professional standards.

8. Your Rights

Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to:

• Access your personal information held by us
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your information in certain circumstances
• Withdraw consent for marketing communications
• Lodge a complaint about our handling of your personal information

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience. For detailed information about our use of cookies, please refer to our Cookies Policy.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

11. International Data Transfers

We primarily store data within Australia. If we transfer your personal information overseas, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with Australian privacy law.

12. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last updated" date.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our handling of your personal information, please contact us:

15. Complaints

If you believe we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles, you may lodge a complaint with us. We will investigate your complaint and respond within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):