Privacy Policy
Privacy Statement
Respect Wills & Estates Pty Ltd (ACN 684 679 016) ("Respect Wills & Estates", "we", "our" or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. We recognise that the information you entrust to us is often highly personal and sensitive. We are committed to maintaining its confidentiality and handling it in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and our professional obligations as legal practitioners.
This Privacy Policy explains:
This Privacy Policy explains:
- what personal information we collect;
- how we collect, use and disclose that information;
- how we protect your information;
- how you may access or correct your personal information; and
- how you can make a privacy complaint.
2. The Personal Information We Collect
The personal information we collect depends on the legal services we provide to you and the nature of your matter.
We may collect information including:
We may collect information including:
- your name, address, email address and telephone number;
- your date of birth and identification details;
- occupation and employment information;
- financial information and banking details where relevant;
- information relating to your assets, liabilities and financial circumstances;
- details regarding your family members, beneficiaries, executors, attorneys and other related persons;
- information regarding companies, trusts, SMSFs and business interests;
- information contained in correspondence, legal documents, file notes and meeting records;
- payment and billing information; and
- information collected when you visit our website, including cookies, browser information and IP address.
Sensitive Information
Some legal matters require us to collect sensitive information.
Depending on your matter, this may include:
Depending on your matter, this may include:
- health information;
- medical reports;
- information regarding disability or capacity;
- criminal history where relevant;
- information concerning family relationships or disputes; and
- other sensitive information necessary to provide legal services.
We only collect sensitive information where it is reasonably necessary to provide our legal services, where required by law, or with your consent.
2. AML/CTF Identification Information
Where we provide designated services under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth), we are required to verify the identity of our clients and, where applicable, beneficial owners and controlling persons.
To comply with these obligations, we may collect:
To comply with these obligations, we may collect:
- passport details;
- driver's licence details;
- Medicare details;
- date of birth;
- residential address;
- company, trust or partnership ownership information;
- source of funds or source of wealth information where required;
- politically exposed person (PEP) information; and
- any additional information required under applicable AML/CTF legislation.
We collect, use and retain this information in accordance with our legal obligations.
3. How We Collect Personal Information
We collect personal information directly from you whenever reasonably practicable.
This may occur when you:
This may occur when you:
- contact our office;
- complete an online enquiry form;
- book an appointment;
- attend a meeting (in person or online);
- telephone or email us;
- provide identification documents;
- sign engagement documentation;
- provide instructions regarding your legal matter; or
- subscribe to our publications or newsletters.
Where appropriate, we may also collect information from third parties, including:
- family members or authorised representatives;
- accountants and financial advisers;
- barristers and other legal practitioners;
- government agencies;
- courts and tribunals;
- public registers;
- identity verification providers;
- referral partners; or
- any person authorised by you or required by law.
4. Why We Collect Personal Information
We collect personal information so we can provide legal services efficiently and comply with our professional obligations.
This includes:
This includes:
- preparing wills and estate planning documents;
- advising on testamentary trusts;
- preparing powers of attorney and medical decision-making documents;
- administering deceased estates;
- obtaining probate and letters of administration;
- acting in estate litigation and disputes;
- conducting conflict checks;
- verifying client identity;
- complying with AML/CTF obligations;
- communicating with clients;
- issuing invoices and managing accounts;
- maintaining our legal records;
- improving our services; and
- complying with legal and regulatory obligations.
5. Direct Marketing
From time to time we may send newsletters, legal updates, invitations to seminars or information about our services where permitted by law.
You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link contained in our emails or by contacting us directly.We will not use sensitive information for direct marketing purposes without your consent.
You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link contained in our emails or by contacting us directly.We will not use sensitive information for direct marketing purposes without your consent.
6. Disclosure of Personal Information
We treat your personal information as confidential.
Where necessary to provide legal services or comply with legal obligations, we may disclose your information to:
Where necessary to provide legal services or comply with legal obligations, we may disclose your information to:
- courts and tribunals;
- government authorities;
- AUSTRAC and other regulatory bodies where required by law;
- barristers and expert witnesses;
- accountants, financial advisers and valuers;
- banks, superannuation funds and financial institutions;
- medical practitioners where authorised;
- process servers;
- our external IT providers;
- cloud-based legal practice management and document management providers;
- external auditors and insurers; or
- any other person authorised by you or required by law.
We only disclose information for the purpose for which it was collected or where otherwise permitted or required by law.
7. Overseas Disclosure
Some of the technology providers we use may store or process personal information on servers located outside Australia.
Where personal information is disclosed overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient appropriately safeguards your information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.
Where personal information is disclosed overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient appropriately safeguards your information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.
8. Protecting Your Personal Information
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information against misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
These measures include:
These measures include:
- secure cloud-based legal practice management systems;
- encrypted communications where appropriate;
- restricted staff access;
- multifactor authentication;
- secure physical file storage;
- cybersecurity protections;
- staff training on confidentiality and privacy obligations; and
- secure destruction or de-identification of information when it is no longer required.
9. Legal Professional Confidentiality
As a law firm, we owe our clients duties of confidentiality.Information provided to us in connection with your legal matter may also be protected by legal professional privilege where applicable.
10. Cookies and Website Analytics
When you visit our website, we may collect information including:
- your IP address;
- browser type;
- pages visited;
- referring website;
- device information; and
- information collected through cookies and similar technologies.
We use cookies and analytics tools, including Google Analytics, to understand how visitors use our website, improve website functionality and enhance the user experience.
You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although doing so may affect some website functionality.
You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although doing so may affect some website functionality.
11. Retention of Information
We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide legal services, comply with our legal and professional obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements. When information is no longer required, we securely destroy or de-identify it where appropriate.
12. Accessing and Correcting Your Information
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you or request that we correct inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information.We will respond within a reasonable time.In some circumstances permitted by law, we may refuse access. If this occurs, we will explain our reasons unless we are legally prevented from doing so.
13. Privacy Complaints
If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us.We will acknowledge your complaint promptly and endeavour to resolve it within 30 days. If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
14. Contact Us
Privacy Officer
Respect Wills & Estates
Email: hello@respectwills.com.au
Telephone: 1300 099 455
Respect Wills & Estates
Email: hello@respectwills.com.au
Telephone: 1300 099 455
15. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our legal obligations, business practices or the law. The current version will always be available on our website. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.