Sarinas Legal acknowledges the importance of trust and personal privacy. As a firm, we are committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we collect, secure, use and share your Personal Information.  

 

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs 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 https://www.oaic.gov.au/. 

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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 includes names, dates of birth, next of kin, addresses, email addresses, occupations, medical history, taxation history, employment history, photographs phone and facsimile numbers. 

 

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including 

 

• From you directly when you provide information, details and instructions to us; 

 

• From you indirectly through emails, questionnaires, interviews, meetings, statements, forms, business cards, telephone conversations and through the use of services and facilities available through our website and social media channels; 

 

• From authorised third parties, such as medical providers, private health insurers, Medicare and other government agencies, and other relevant third parties for the purposes of investigating, assessing, progressing and resolving your case (including but not limited to medical practitioners, valuers, forensic accountants and accountants.) 

 

We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our legal services to you. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose (for example, to conduct our business and to comply with our legal obligations) in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure.  

 

When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it. 

 

By voluntarily providing us with your personal, health, or other sensitive information, you consent to us using this information to: 

 

• Assist you with your enquiry; 

• Investigate, progress and resolve your case; 

• Offer other legal services that may be relevant to you individually. 

 

Sensitive Information 

 

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information. 

 

Sensitive information will be used by us only: 

 

• For the primary purpose for which it was obtained; 

• For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose; 

• With your consent; or where required or authorised by law. 

 

Third Parties 

 

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party and that you consent to the collection of the information. 

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Disclosure of Personal Information 

 

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following: 

 

• Other members of the Firm subject to obligations in respect of confidentiality; 

 

• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure – such as Courts, Tribunals, Commissions, Government bodies and agencies, Barristers engaged on your behalf and Expert Witnesses engaged on your behalf;  

 

• Where required or authorised by law; and 

 

• On a confidential basis to external providers so they can provide financial, administrative, search or other services in connection with the operation of our business, for example, photocopying, auditing, technology and data processing and financial and other professional institutions as required by law, subject to our professional obligations, as permitted under the APP. 

 

Security of Personal Information 

 

Your Personal Information is stored in hard copy form or electronically in our legal IT system. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information is protected and kept secure. We ask that you please immediately notify us if you become aware of, or suspect, a breach of security. 

 

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 your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years after your case has resolved. We are committed to paper reduction and client files and matters once finalised and closed will be retained in electronic format only with paper records returned or responsibly destroyed. 

 

Access to your Personal Information 

 

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing. 

 

In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information. 

 

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information 

 

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you. 

 

Policy Updates 

 

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website. 

 

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries 

 

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy, please contact Evan Sarinas:  

 

esarinas@sarinaslegal.com.au 

0747 242969