S+P Lawyers is committed to protecting your privacy. We recognise that protecting confidential information is fundamental in building successful relationships with all our clients and is an essential practice in good business.

From 21 December 2001, S+P Lawyers, along with most other private sector businesses, will be bound by the new 'National Privacy Principles' in accordance with the Private Amendment/Private Sector Act 2000. The implementation of these principles reinforces our commitment to protect your privacy.

Why do we collect private information?
S+P Lawyers requires certain information so as to best serve your needs in the most efficient and practical manner, and to meet your legal obligations.

What private information does S+P Lawyers collect/hold?
During the course of our business we may collect from clients name, address, occupation, marital status, date of birth, place of work, memberships, phone numbers and all other contact details.

We may also need details of other parties to your matter including those who can be of assistance in either the conduct or assessment of your matter.

We retain all communications between the firm and you whether occurring before, during or after your matter is completed and we retain this for up to seven years.

It is important to recognise that the amount and type of information we require from you depends on your type of matter or the reason we have been engaged. Nevertheless, if you choose not to give us information we require it may affect our ability to meet our obligations - whether that be to you or clients generally.

We collect private information provided to us by individuals expressing an interest in working for the practice, including details of other persons they give us, for example, referees. This information helps us determine whether the application will be given full review or considered at a later date.

If you send us an email, your email address will be recorded. The firm also uses private information provided by its clients to market the practice. Name and address details will be used to forward newsletters and other marketing items in an attempt to increase the firm's business.

Who has access to your private information?
Apart from certain circumstances required by the legal proceedings being conducted on your behalf, private information will only be accessed by persons working in or for S+P Lawyers.

Private information we hold about you will be used and disclosed by us to provide you with services you have requested. We may from time to time be required to disclose your information in court proceedings and on conveyancing and business documents.

Those to whom we may disclose your private information include, but are not limited to barristers, investigators, expert witnesses, loss assessors, insurers and consultants. Private information will also be disclosed where prescribed by law.

S+P Lawyers otherwise holds your private information in the strictest of confidence. Access to computer stored information is protected and physical access to hard copy private information is monitored and limited to authorised personnel only. In most circumstances, you can request details of the private information we hold about you. Requests are dealt with in accordance to the 'National Privacy Principles' and the provision of information may be subject to certain charges.

If you have any questions or requests for private information or would like further information, please contact our Senior Partner who is our Privacy Officer, S+P Lawyers, 44 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales, 2480