PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy provides information on how DBL Solicitors (“We”) collect, store, use, disclose, protect and manage your Personal Information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (“the APPs”) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (“the Act”), including information collected via it’s website at www.dbl.com.au.

Definition of Personal Information

“Personal Information” means any information or an opinion about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can be reasonably ascertained, from that information or opinion. This includes, but is not limited to, details such as name, contact information (e.g., email address, phone number), date of birth, identification numbers, location data, and other information that could be used to identify or contact an individual.

Personal Information collected

We only collect Personal Information where permitted by law and where reasonably necessary to carry on our business as a legal service provider.  The types of information collected will vary from matter to matter and may include:

  • Name, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and contact details;
  • Date of birth, gender and identification information;
  • Financial information (eg. billing details, payment information);
  • Sensitive information relevant to legal matters including health information, criminal history, family information or other details required to provide legal services;
  • Information about your use of our website or digital services, including IP address and browser details;
  • Any other information required to perform our legal obligations or provide legal advice;

How Personal Information is collected

Where reasonable and practicable, we will collect Personal Information directly from you, however we may also collect Personal Information when:

  • You communicate with us by phone, email, in person or through our website;
  • You complete forms, questionnaires or provide documents during a legal matter;
  • You apply for employment or interact with us as a contractor or supplier;

Collection of Personal Information for AML/CTF Compliance

In accordance with our obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (AML/CTF Act), we may collect personal information from you for the purpose of conducting customer due diligence and complying with the AML/CTF requirements.

The personal information collected may include, but is not limited to:

  • Your full name, date of birth, address, contact details, government-issued identification (e.g., passport or driver’s license), and financial information;

We are committed to protecting your privacy and will handle your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable Australian privacy laws.

By engaging with our services, you acknowledge that we may collect and process your personal information to comply with our AML/CTF obligations.

Use and disclosure of Personal Information

Any Personal Information that we collect will only be used and disclosed for the purpose for which it has been provided to us or as authorised under law.

We will collect, store, use, disclose and manage your Personal Information for the following purposes:

  • To provide legal services, representation and related services to you or to someone you know;
  • Managing our professional relationship with clients;
  • Complying with legal, regulatory or professional obligations;
  • Maintaining accurate administrative and financial records;
  • Communicating with you and responding to enquiries;
  • Conducting conflict checks within the firm;
  • Importing our services, website and internal processes;
  • Recruitment and employment-related activities;
  • To provide you with information about other services offered by us and which may be of interest to you. You may at any time opt out of receiving such materials by contacting us by email at mail@dbl.com.au;

We may disclose Personal Information to:

  • Courts, tribunals, law enforcement agencies or regulatory bodies;
  • Barristers, experts, consultants and other professionals engaged in your matter;
  • Other parties involved in your legal matter and their representatives;
  • Service providers such as IT support, cloud storage providers, accountants or insurers;
  • Government agencies, regulators and statutory bodies;

Where Personal Information is disclosed to an external party, we will take steps to ensure that the external party treats such information confidentially and in accordance with the APPs contained in the Act.

Personal Information security

We take reasonable steps to protect Personal Information from misuse, interference, loss unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

This includes:

  • Secure electronic and physical storage systems;
  • Access controls and confidentiality obligations;
  • Regular security audits and updates;
  • Cyber-security measures aligned with legal industry best practice;

However no system is completely secure and you acknowledge that data transmission over the internet involves some risk.

Permission and authority to destroy

Personal Information is contained in electronic and hard copy files and documents, both at our office premises and at commercial offsite storage facilities, on the basis that we have your permission to destroy same seven (7) years after the final bill is rendered by us on the matter.  All electrical records are contained in a controlled and secure environment.

Overseas disclosure

To fulfil our retainer with you we may be required to disclose your Personal Information to overseas recipients. 

Some Personal Information may be stored or disclosed to service providers located outside of Australia (e.g. cloud storage or legal-tech providers).

Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure that overseas recipients comply with the APPs or are otherwise subject to adequate data protection laws.

Accessing and Correcting Personal Information

You may request access to the Personal Information we hold about you, or request that it be corrected if inaccurate or incomplete, by writing to our Privacy Officer. 

We will respond within a reasonable period and in accordance with the Privacy Act.

The Privacy Officer
DBL Solicitors
GPO Box 82
BRISBANE QLD 4001

Email:  mail@dbl.com.au

If you believe your privacy has been breached, please contact our Privacy Officer in writing at the above address.  You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

Website, cookies and analytics

We may use cookies, analytics tools and similar technologies to improve website performance and user experience.

Direct Marketing

We may use your contact information to send legal updates, newsletters or marketing communications. 

You can opt out at any time by contact us in writing or by using the unsubscribe link provided.

Employment Information

If you apply for a position with us, we may collect information such as employment history, qualifications, references and background-check information.

Changes to our privacy policy

From time to time it may be necessary for us to revise our Privacy Policy to take account of new laws and technology, or changes to our operations, practices or the general business environment.  The most current version of this Policy is located on our website at www.dbl.com.au

Agreement

By engaging our services or interacting with us, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.