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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Introduction

Raiyad Solicitors is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information in compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) rules and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

1. What is Personal Data and Special Category Data?

  • Personal Data: Any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual, such as name, address, phone number, email address, or financial information.
  • Special Category Data: Sensitive personal information that requires additional protection, such as health data, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, genetic and biometric data, or data concerning sexual orientation.

2. Why We Collect Your Personal Information

We collect personal data to:

  • Provide legal services and advice.
  • Comply with legal and regulatory obligations.
  • Verify your identity.
  • Manage financial transactions, including billing and payments.
  • Improve our services and for legitimate business purposes.
  • Communicate with you about your case or our services.

3. How Long We Keep Information We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy and to comply with legal, regulatory, or professional obligations. Typically, client files are retained for a minimum of six years after the conclusion of a matter, unless a longer retention period is required.

4. How We Keep Information Secure We employ robust technical and organizational measures to safeguard your personal data, including:

  • Encryption of sensitive data.
  • Access controls to restrict unauthorized access.
  • Regular security audits and staff training.
  • Secure physical storage for paper-based files.

5. Your Rights You have the following rights under the UK GDPR:

  • Access: Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your data, subject to legal constraints.
  • Restriction: Request limitation of processing under certain circumstances.
  • Data Portability: Receive a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
  • Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
  • Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on your consent.

6. How We Provide the Information If you exercise your rights, we will respond within one month of receiving your request, unless the request is complex or involves numerous records. We may require proof of identity before providing information.

7. Can You See All the Information We Hold About You? Yes, you can request a copy of all personal data we hold about you by submitting a Subject Access Request. Certain exemptions may apply, such as information protected by legal privilege or data involving third parties.

8. Information Sharing and Third Parties We may share your personal data with:

  • Regulatory authorities, such as the SRA.
  • Third-party service providers (e.g., IT support, payment processors) under strict confidentiality agreements.
  • Other legal professionals or experts involved in your case.
  • Law enforcement agencies, if required by law.

We do not sell or rent your data to third parties.

9. Overseas Transfer We will not transfer your personal data outside the UK or EEA unless:

  • The recipient country ensures an adequate level of data protection.
  • We have implemented appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses.
  • You have explicitly consented to the transfer.

10. Information Collected from Third Parties We may collect information about you from third parties, such as:

  • Publicly accessible sources, like Companies House or the Land Registry.
  • Other legal professionals or experts involved in your case.
  • Financial institutions for payment processing or verification.
  • Law enforcement agencies, if necessary.

11. Complaints If you have any concerns about how we handle your personal data, please contact us at [insert contact details]. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.

12. Updates to This Policy We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will be available on our website at [insert website link] or upon request.

13. How We Use Cookies

  • A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive.
  • The file is added, and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.
  • We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used and your IP address. This helps us analyse data about webpage traffic and improve our website so that we can tailor it to client needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes.
  • Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.
  • You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.
  • Certain cookies will be deleted from your computer when you close your browser, others will remain stored on your computer until deleted, or until they reach a specified expiry date.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: Raiyad Solicitors, Address: 1st Floor, 259 Whitechapel Road London E1 1DB, Email: info@raiyadsolicitors.com, Phone: 020 3371 7194