Privacy, confidentiality and information handling policy

1. OUR COMMITMENT TO CLIENTS

Clients entrust the Firm with confidential information concerning their personal, financial, commercial and family affairs. Protecting that information is fundamental to the solicitor-client relationship. The Firm manages personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, applicable anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing legislation and its professional obligations, including duties of confidentiality and legal professional privilege.

2. SCOPE

This Policy explains how the Firm collects, holds, uses, discloses and protects personal information obtained while providing legal and conveyancing services.

3. INFORMATION COLLECTED

The Firm collects only information reasonably necessary to provide legal and conveyancing services. This may include identity and contact information, financial information, property information, company and trust records, documents relevant to legal matters and sensitive information where reasonably required or authorised by law.

4. COLLECTION AND USE

Information is collected directly from clients where practicable and, where appropriate, from Landgate, RevenueWA, courts, financial institutions, accountants, other legal practitioners, electronic conveyancing platforms and other authorised sources. Information is used only for providing professional services, complying with legal obligations and administering the practice.

5. CLIENT DUE DILIGENCE

The Firm may undertake identity verification and client due diligence, including source of funds enquiries where required by law. If essential information is not provided, the Firm may be unable to accept or continue instructions.

6. DISCLOSURE

Personal information is disclosed only where authorised, reasonably necessary to perform the engagement or required or permitted by law. Recipients may include courts, regulators, financial institutions, Landgate, PEXA, experts, barristers and technology providers.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY

The Firm’s professional duties of confidentiality and legal professional privilege operate in addition to privacy legislation and continue after completion of the engagement.

8. INFORMATION SECURITY

The Firm maintains appropriate physical, administrative and technological safeguards, including secure document management, restricted access, encryption where appropriate and secure destruction or archival of records.

9. CYBER SECURITY

Clients should independently verify any request to change banking or trust account details by telephoning the Firm using independently verified contact details. The Firm recommends that clients do not rely solely upon email instructions when transferring funds.

10. TECHNOLOGY

The Firm may use secure cloud-based systems and technology-assisted tools, including AI-assisted administrative and legal support tools. Professional responsibility remains with the Firm and client confidentiality remains paramount.

11. ACCESS AND COMPLAINTS

Clients may request access to or correction of their personal information, subject to applicable legal exceptions. Privacy enquiries and complaints should be directed to the Firm’s Privacy Officer. If unresolved, a complaint may be made to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

12. CONTACT

Privacy Officer

Strand Legal and Conveyancing

Suite 14, 135 Cambridge Street, West Leederville, WA 6007

Telephone: 08 93810500

Email: wa@strandlc.com.au