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Privacy Policy

At Sibley Lawyers, all information received from you, even as a prospective client in connection with a legal matter is subject to strict duties of confidentiality, and may be Legally Privileged.

We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 and this privacy policy accords with the Australian Privacy Principles. We may update or vary this policy from time to time.

‘Personal information’ means information, including an opinion, about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. This is regardless of whether the information or opinion is factually true or not and whether the information or opinion is recorded in material form.

How we collect personal information

Usually at the commencement of a matter we will need to obtain details from you such as your name, address, telephone number(s), email and other contact details. We will usually require contact details of the other parties to the matter as well.

Personal information may be collected by the following:

  1. Taking your instructions;
  2. Obtaining such information from another source with your permission;
  3. From another party in the course of legal proceedings; and
  4. Other means allowed by law or under the Australian Privacy Principles.
  5. We may also require further information from you by telephone, writing or in person.

Website collection

Upon visiting our website, certain information is collected so we may evaluate our online marketing methods and the effectiveness the general operation of the site. Some of the types of information collected through our website include, but are not limited to the following:

  1. The type of browser you are using;
  2. If you used a search engine to reach our site, the search term that you used to find our website;
  3. The time you have spent on each page; and
  4. Whether you called our firm.

Third party collection

We also may indirectly collect personal information about individuals or companies without their direct authority. This may occur, for example, when you provide us information about another party involved in a matter or you produce documents regarding another party, or a third party provides us information related to you and another party.

If we are unable to gather personal information directly from you, we will ask your permission to gather the information from other parties. If an entity provides us with personal information about another individual or company, it is their responsibility to ensure they are permitted to release such information for our use.

Use and disclosure of personal information

We will not disclose your personal information unless we are obligated to do so, or you give us permisison. We do not send personal information to overseas third parties.

We may have to use or disclose your personal information other than for providing legal services. If we have to use or disclose your personal information for a purpose other than the to provide legal services, we will only ever do so with your consent unless we consider there is a risk to the health or property of you or another person/entity, the use or disclosure is required or authorised by or under law for some other reason, or we consider for some other ethical purpose consistent with being a legal practitioner, it is appropriate to breach your privacy.

Sibley Lawyers will deal with your personal information in accordance with this privacy policy, regardless of how your personal information is collected.

Direct marketing

Sibley Lawyers may use your personal information to contact you to inform you of our other services that may be of assistance to you, promotions, special offers, and significant changes to our organisation. We will not sell your personal information to any third party for their marketing purposes under any circumstances.

If you do not wish to receive direct marketing material from us, please contact us on 31800120 or by email at [email protected] and let us know.

Security of personal information

Sibley Lawyers take all reasonable steps to ensure your personal and confidential information is kept secure from unauthorised access, loss, interference, modification, misuse or disclosure.

We do this through a number of methods, including but not limited to the following:

  1. Securing information contained in hard copy files;
  2. Maintaining updated firewalls and security systems on computers;
  3. Using Microsoft Premium Business Cloud Based Data Storage and LEAP
  4. Using updated technology to ensure security;
  5. Offices are security locked and protected after hours;
  6. Confidentiality agreements are maintained with staff;
  7. Very personal and sensitive information is kept in a safe custody safe;
  8. Access to your personal information is limited through our internal security mechanisms; and
  9. Maintaining shredding procedures.

In addition to the above, when your matter is completed and all invoices are paid, we will return all hard copy original documents to you, shred all other hard copy documents and archive your matter in electronically in a safe and secure storage area which we can access only when necessary or requested. After seven years, your matter may be safely and securely destroyed if we do not require your personal information anymore.

Updating your personal information

In order to properly maintain your legal matter, we require your personal information to be up to date. If you become aware of any personal information that we hold which requires updating, please let us know.

Accessing your personal information

You may contact us in writing to access your personal information that we hold about you. In some cases there may also be costs incurred in order for us to retrieve the information and you will need to pay such reasonable costs.

If it is not reasonable or suitable to provide you with the requested information, we will provide you with our reasons for denying your request.

Changes to this privacy policy

Our privacy policy may change without notice to you. Changes in terminology and overall market practices may also require us to change our policy. We reserve our right to change this privacy policy as needed.

Complaints

Sibley Lawyers is committed to providing a way to formally complain about our privacy practices for those who believe we have not complied with the Australian Privacy Principles or our own privacy policy. If you have a complaint, please let us know in the first instance by emailing [email protected].

After letting us know of your complaint, and if you are still not satisfied with how we have handled your concern, you may refer the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by calling 1300 363 992 or by writing to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001 (https://www.oaic.gov.au).

Further information

If you require any further information about the way that we collect, use, secure and disclose your personal information, please contact us directly.