HPL Cairns Pty Ltd T/A Harding Property Law is a law firm business in Cairns in the State of Queensland. References to “HPL”, “we”, “us” and “our” in this Privacy Policy refer to HPL Cairns Pty Ltd.
This Privacy Policy sets out the manner in which we collect, use, disclose and manage personal information. By using the Website, subscribing to our services or entering into an agreement with us, you acknowledge that your personal information may be collected, used, disclosed and handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
We may modify this Privacy Policy from time to time. You should review this Privacy Policy periodically so that you are updated on any changes.
Respecting Information Privacy
We recognise the importance of protecting personal information.
In the course of providing legal services, we may collect personal information and, where reasonably necessary for our functions or activities and permitted by law, sensitive information.
In collecting and handling personal information, we comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (“Privacy Act”), including the Australian Privacy Principles (“APPs”), where applicable, and other applicable privacy requirements.
What personal information do we collect?
The types of personal information we may collect include contact information such as your name, address, email address and telephone number, information you provide to us in connection with an enquiry or legal matter, your communication preferences and any feedback that you provide to us about our services, our website or other matters.
Depending on the nature of the legal services we provide, we may also collect other personal information that is reasonably necessary for us to provide those services or carry out our business activities.
Personal information may be collected by way of forms filled out by individuals, including via online forms, emails, telephone conversations, correspondence, face-to-face meetings and interviews, and through our website.
Where necessary and permitted by law, we may also collect personal information from third parties, such as your representatives, professional advisers, government agencies, other parties involved in a legal matter or publicly available sources.
How might HPL use and disclose your personal information?
Harding Property Law may use and disclose your personal information for the primary purpose for which it was collected, for reasonably expected secondary purposes that are related to the primary purpose, for purposes to which you have consented, and in other circumstances authorised or required by law.
Generally, HPL may use and disclose your personal information for a range of purposes, including to:
- provide legal services or other services that you have requested;
- respond to your enquiries, instructions or feedback;
- communicate with you in connection with current or prospective legal matters;
- administer and manage our relationship with you;
- manage our business and professional obligations;
- provide you with communications or information that may be relevant to you, where permitted by law; and
- comply with our legal, regulatory and professional obligations.
Disclosure of personal information to other parties
HPL may disclose your personal information to third parties where reasonably necessary in connection with our services or business activities. These third parties may include our staff, professional advisers, barristers, experts, consultants, service providers, courts, tribunals, government bodies, regulators and other parties involved in a legal matter.
We may also disclose your personal information where disclosure is required or authorised by law, where it is reasonably necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to life, health or safety, or where we are otherwise permitted to do so under the Privacy Act.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
Security and management of personal information
HPL takes reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, interference and loss, and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
The measures we use may include:
- limiting physical access to our premises and records;
- limiting access to personal information to personnel who require access for legitimate business purposes;
- using appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards; and
- taking reasonable steps when engaging third-party service providers that may handle personal information on our behalf.
If we no longer require your personal information for any purpose for which it may lawfully be used or disclosed, and we are not legally required to retain it, HPL will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify the personal information.
Links from our website to other websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We do not operate or control these websites and are not responsible for the privacy practices or handling of personal information by the operators of those websites.
Accessing the information we hold about you
Subject to applicable exceptions, you may request access to the personal information that we hold about you.
To make a request for access, please contact us using the details set out below. We may ask you to verify your identity and provide sufficient information to allow us to identify the information you are requesting.
We will respond to access requests within a reasonable period. We will not charge you for making an access request. In some circumstances, we may charge a reasonable amount for the costs of providing access, provided that the charge is not excessive.
Updating and correcting your personal information
We take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we hold is accurate, up-to-date, complete, relevant and not misleading.
If you believe that personal information we hold about you requires correction, please contact HPL using the contact details set out below.
We will not charge you for making a request to correct your personal information or for making a correction.
Updates to this Policy
This Privacy Policy will be reviewed from time to time to take account of changes to applicable laws, technology, our operations and practices, and the business environment.
Complaints
If you are concerned that we have not complied with your rights or applicable privacy laws, you may make a complaint to us using the contact details below.
We will deal with complaints as follows:
Step 1: Let us know
- If you would like to make a complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer using the details below.
Step 2: Investigation of complaint
- Your complaint will be considered and investigated as appropriate.
- We will endeavour to provide a response in writing within a reasonable period.
Step 3: Contact the OAIC
If you remain dissatisfied with our response, you may be able to make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (“OAIC”).
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Phone: 1300 363 992
GPO Box 5218
Sydney NSW 2001
www.oaic.gov.au
Contact us
Any complaints, access or correction requests, or correspondence in relation to this Privacy Policy should be sent to:
HPL
72-74 Spence Street
Cairns QLD 4870
Email: james@hardingproperty.law
We will endeavour to respond to all complaints and correspondence promptly.
