Privacy policy

1Who we are and what this policy covers

Ironbark Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services across Victoria. We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, as well as our professional obligations of confidentiality as Australian legal practitioners.

This policy explains what personal information we collect through this website and in the course of acting for you, why we collect it, how we hold it and how you can access or correct it.

2What we collect

The kind of personal information we collect depends on how you deal with us. It commonly includes:

• Your name, phone number and email address when you complete an enquiry form or book a consultation
• Details about your legal matter, which may include information about family members, property, finances, health or employment
• Identity documents we are required to verify before acting in property transactions and estate matters
• Records of communications between you and the firm
• Technical information such as your browser type, device and the pages you visit on this site

Some legal matters require us to collect sensitive information, for example health information in an estate planning matter. We only collect it where it is reasonably necessary for the work you have asked us to do, and with your consent.

3How we collect it

We collect personal information directly from you wherever we can, including through the enquiry form on this site, in consultations, by phone, by email and in documents you provide. Sometimes we collect it from third parties such as other parties to a transaction, courts, government registries, banks, accountants and other advisers.

If you provide us with personal information about another person, please make sure that person is aware of this policy.

4How we use your information

We use personal information to:

• Respond to your enquiry and arrange your free consultation
• Provide legal services and a fixed price agreement for your matter
• Verify your identity where the law or our professional rules require it
• Communicate with you about your matter and about our services
• Comply with our legal, regulatory and professional obligations
• Improve this website and the way we deliver our services

We do not sell personal information and we do not use it for direct marketing without your consent. You can opt out of any firm updates at any time.

5Who we share it with

We disclose personal information only where it is necessary to carry out your instructions or where the law requires it. Recipients may include:

• Courts, tribunals and government bodies such as the Supreme Court of Victoria and Land Use Victoria
• Other parties to your matter and their legal representatives
• Barristers, experts, mediators and other professionals engaged for your matter
• Banks, lenders and financial institutions involved in a settlement
• Service providers who host our systems, process documents or support our practice, under confidentiality obligations

Some of our service providers store data on servers located outside Australia. Where that happens we take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient handles your information in a way that is consistent with the Australian Privacy Principles.

6How we keep it secure

Documents that come to us are converted to electronic copies and stored in secure, access controlled systems. We use encryption in transit, multi factor authentication for staff and regular backups. Paper files are kept in locked storage and securely destroyed when no longer required.

We retain client files for at least seven years after a matter is completed, as required by our professional rules, and longer where the nature of the matter calls for it, such as wills and estate planning documents.

7Website, cookies and analytics

This website uses a small number of cookies and similar technologies to remember your preferences and to understand which pages are used most. Analytics data is aggregated and does not identify you personally. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the site may not work as intended.

Information you submit through the enquiry form is transmitted securely and used only to arrange your consultation. Submitting the form does not create a lawyer and client relationship.

8Accessing and correcting your information

You can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, and ask us to correct it if it is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete. We will respond within a reasonable time, usually 30 days. There is no charge for making a request, though in some cases a reasonable cost of retrieval may apply.

In limited circumstances the law allows us to refuse access, for example where it would breach legal professional privilege belonging to another client. If that happens we will tell you why.

9Complaints and further information

If you believe we have handled your personal information in a way that breaches the Australian Privacy Principles, please raise it with us first through the enquiry form. We will acknowledge your complaint, investigate it and respond in writing.

If you are not satisfied with our response you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of the page shows when it was last revised.