PRIVACY POLICY
Dexter Henry & Co Solicitors respects and values the privacy of all our clients. We understand that your privacy is important to you and that you care about how your information is used and shared.
This Privacy Policy applies to our use of any and all data collected by us in relation to you.
1. What information do we hold?
During the course of our dealings with you, we will collect and hold your personal data. We will only ask you for personal information if it is necessary for your matter. We may collect some or all of the following data:
- Full Name;
- Address
- Telephone Number;
- Email Address,
- National Insurance Number;
- Bank Details and Source of funds;
- Income Details,
- Capital Details
- Previous Convictions,
- Copies of Identity Documents such as Driving Licence/Passport/Utility Bills
2. How Do We Use Your Data?
All of your personal Data that we hold is stored securely in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in force from 25 May 2018.
We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We do not provide your personal data to third parties, save for what is necessary for the day-to-day conduct of your file. We do not send out marketing information to our clients, unless we have our consent to do so.
We only use your data for matters necessary for the conduct of your file. This includes:
- Making applications to the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) for a Representation Order (Legal Aid);
- Filing Claims with the County Court/High Court
- Carrying out Land/Property Transactions;
- Complying with the contractual obligations that We have with the LAA, such as for auditing purposes;
- Complying with the obligations that We have with Our Supervising Body, the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA);
- Complying with any legal obligations imposed upon us by legislation
3. How and Where Do We Store Your Data?
We only keep your data for as long as we are legally obliged to; namely 6 years after the conclusion of your case, whereupon we will automatically destroy all electronic files and paper documents relating to your matter unless you provide your express consent for us to hold your information beyond that time.
Some or all of your data will be stored on our online Case Management System (LEAP) and we may also store your personal information in offline data stores, such as a hard-file.
4. Why Do We Hold Your Data?
The lawful basis on which we process and hold your data is contractual as your legal representative. As your legal representative, we have a contract (retainer) and this entitles us to hold personal information relating to you. The processing of your data is necessary for the performance of the contract that we hold with you. Sometimes the processing of your data is also necessary for Our compliance with legal obligations that we have, such as Anti-Money Laundering Legislation.
If we hold any of your information by consent, rather than on a contractual basis, you will be able to withdraw your consent for holding this information at any time. If you are under the age of 16 years, then consent to hold personal information relating to you will have to be given to us by your legal guardian.
5. What rights do you have in respect of the data we hold about you?
- You have the legal right to find out what information we hold about you by making a ‘subject access request’ to us. Once we have received your request, we have 30 days to comply with your request. Whilst, in the majority of cases we can not charge you for complying with such a request, we reserve the right to refuse or charge for requests that are manifestly unfounded or excessive. If we do refuse a request, we will give you reasons why and inform you of your right to complain to our supervisory authority and seek legal remedy. If you would like to make a subject access request, please do so by contacting our Data Protection Officer, the name and contact details of which are in the next section below.
- You have the right to update us with any of your personal information in order to keep the information we hold about you accurate;
- You have the right to request erasure/deletion of the personal data we hold about you without undue delay, provided the personal data is no longer necessary, for example, necessary in relation to the purposes for which it was collected (i.e. the running of your file), and subject to us being compliant with our legal obligations;
- You have the right to restrict processing of your personal data if you contest the accuracy of the data, if the processing is unlawful, if we no longer need the personal data but you require the data for the purpose of establishing or defending a legal claim.
- You have the right to data portability (the right to receive the personal data We hold about you, in a structured, commonly used readable format and the right to request that we send that data to a third party);
6. Accountability and Management
Our Data Protection Officer is Ms. Chanelle Wray, who can be contacted using the following contact methods:
In Writing: Chanelle Wray
Dexter Henry & Co Solicitors
Office 24
1 Empire Mews
Streatham
London
SW16 2BF
By Telephone: 020 8769 5550
By Email: law@dexterhenry.co.uk
If we update our Privacy Policy, our Data Protection Officer will inform you of the same and provide an explanation of what has changed.
Please be assured that We regularly review Our Policies for changes and effectiveness and changes in the handling of data.
7. Complaints
When we ask you for information, we will only do so in compliance with the law. If you believe that your information has been handled incorrectly, you can contact the Information Commissioner for independent advice about data protection. You can contact the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113
8. In Summary
When we ask you for personal data we will inform you why we need your personal data and ask only for the personal data that is necessary for the conduct of your case. We will not ask for information that is irrelevant or excessive.
When we collect your personal data, we have legal responsibilities you and you have legal rights, these include:
• We will protect your personal data and ensure that no unauthorised person has access to it;
• We will not keep your personal data for longer than is necessary;
• We will not sell your personal data and we will only share your personal data with third parties for a legitimate purpose;
• Where relevant, you can withdraw your consent for us to keep your personal data at any time;
• You can make a request to see the personal data that we hold about you;
• We will consider your request to correct, stop processing or erase your personal data;
• You can lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority, should you deem it appropriate to do so;
9. Further Information
If you would like any further information regarding our Privacy Policy, please contact Our Data Protection Officer, using the contact details above.
DEXTER HENRY & CO SOLICITORS