Privacy Policy
Umbrella Family Law is committed to providing quality legal services and to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). The APPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.
As a legal practice, we are also subject to strict professional and ethical obligations, including duties of confidentiality. Our clients will often have legal professional privilege over records and communications in connection with our services.
What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect include names, postal addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and information relating to your legal matter or dealings with us.
Personal Information may also include sensitive information, such as information or opinions about racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, memberships of associations or similar matters, where relevant to the provision of our legal services.
This Personal Information is obtained in a number of ways, including through meetings and conferences, correspondence, telephone calls, emails, online enquiries via our website, and from documents you provide to us. Personal Information may also be obtained from third parties, including other professionals, courts, government agencies, or individuals involved in your matter.
We do not guarantee the privacy practices or policies of authorised third-party websites or service providers.
Purpose of collection
We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing legal and related services to you. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes that are closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure.
When we collect Personal Information, we will, where appropriate and practicable, explain why we are collecting the information and how we intend to use it.
Personal Information will be used by us only:
- for the primary purpose for which it was obtained, being the provision of legal or related services;
- for a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose;
- with your consent, where required or authorised by law;
- to provide you with communications, updates, or information relevant to our services; and
- to manage and improve our legal services and client relationships.
Third parties
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information directly from you. However, in some circumstances, we may be provided with Personal Information by third parties. In such cases, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us.
Disclosure of Personal Information
Your Personal Information may be disclosed to other parties in a number of circumstances, including:
- to third parties where you have consented to the use or disclosure;
- to other entities or professionals as part of providing our legal services;
- to our professional advisers and insurers; and
- where required or authorised by law.
Security of Personal Information
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse, loss, and from unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it. However, most Personal Information is or will be stored in client files, which are generally retained for a minimum period of seven (7) years in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Access to your Personal Information
You may request access to the Personal Information we hold about you and request that it be updated or corrected, subject to certain exceptions permitted by law. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.
Umbrella Family Law will not charge a fee for receiving an access request, but may charge a reasonable administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
To protect your privacy, we may require you to provide identification before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the quality of your Personal Information
It is important to us that your Personal Information is accurate, complete, and up to date. We take reasonable steps to ensure the Personal Information we hold is accurate and current. If you believe that any information we hold about you is inaccurate or out of date, please let us know as soon as practicable so that we can update our records.
Policy updates
This Privacy Policy may change from time to time. The most current version will be available on our website.
If you have any questions or complaints about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your Personal Information, please contact us at:
Umbrella Family Law
142-144 Albert Road, South Melbourne, Victoria
Phone: 09 9279 6800
Email: theteam@umbrellafamilylaw.com.au