Complete Privacy Policy

What is "personal information"?

Personal information is any information about you that identifies you or information by which your identity can be reasonably determined.

Why we collect personal information

Collecting your personal information is essential for Corrs to be able to provide you with legal services.

By collecting personal information we,

• provide legal services to you
• give you the option of receiving our publications
• include you in Corrs' functions

If we do not collect and make use of your personal information, we are unable to provide you with legal services.

How do we collect your personal information?

Where possible we collect your personal information directly from you. Personal information is generally collected during the course of our relationship with you.

Sometimes personal information may be collected about you from other sources. Examples of where we may receive personal information about you from another source and why this would happen are,

• a reference to you from another firm of lawyers who may not be able to act for you
• contact from your employer in the course of requesting us to provide legal services to you
• an insurance company where we are pursuing a claim on its behalf
• a real estate organisation where you are buying or selling property

In most cases we will require you to specifically consent to any collection, use or disclosure of your personal information by Corrs. Your consent will usually be required in writing but we may accept your verbal consent in certain circumstances. Sometimes your consent may be implied through your conduct with us.

However, no matter how your personal information is collected it is dealt with by Corrs in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Consequences to You of Corrs Not Having That Information

The nature of the service we provide means that, in most cases, if we do not collect your personal information, we will not be able to represent you or your interests in the way a professional is required to represent you or your interests.

How we use your personal information

We use the personal information that we collect to provide legal services to you and to include it in our direct marketing database, and client databases.

To enable us to do this we may share your personal information within Corrs nationally.

Direct marketing

From time to time we may use your personal information to provide you with information about our products and services.

If you do not want to receive any of this information just contact us on (03) 9672 3372 or at privacy@corrs.com.au.

Once you have told us you no longer wish to receive information about our products and services, we will not send you any further material.

You can, however, change your mind about receiving information about our products and services at any time - you just need to let us know.

Corrs does not disclose your personal information to a party outside Corrs for the purposes of allowing them to market their products or services to you.

Do we disclose your personal information to anyone?

Corrs may disclose your personal information in certain circumstances.

Sometimes we are required or authorised by law to disclose your personal information. For example we may disclose your personal information to a Court in response to a subpoena.

We may also disclose your personal information where you have consented to us doing so. Your consent to the disclosure of your personal information may be given explicitly such as in writing or verbally or may be implied from your conduct.

Where the provision of legal services to you requires us to disclose your personal information to third parties (eg. a lender to you in a property transaction) your consent will be implied when you engage us unless you tell us otherwise.

Generally however we do not disclose your personal information to a party outside Corrs, unless that party is contracted to Corrs to provide administrative services on our behalf and that party is bound by the same privacy rules we follow.

Some examples of parties outside Corrs to whom we may disclose your personal information and the reason for disclosure are:

• mail service providers for the mailing of direct marketing material etc
• barristers and expert witnesses such as doctors, engineers etc
• other law firms who act as our agents.

Ensuring your personal information is up-to-date

We rely on the personal information we hold about you to efficiently provide legal services.

For this reason, it is very important that the personal information we collect from you is accurate, complete and up-to-date.

During the course of our relationship with you we will ask you to tell us of any changes to your personal information. However, you can contact us at any time to update your personal information or to tell us that the information we hold about you is inaccurate or incomplete.

Is my personal information secure?

Corrs takes all reasonable precautions to safeguard your personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

We employ a number of means to protect your personal information including:

• external and internal premises security
• restricted access to personal information
• maintaining technology products to prevent unauthorised computer access
• regular reviewing and testing of our technology in order to improve the level of security
• internal policies in relation to Corrs' computer use.

When we no longer require your personal information it is our practice to securely destroy the information or delete it from our systems. Generally this occurs 7 years after your file has been archived.

Can I access my personal information?

You may request access to any of the personal information we hold about you.

In most cases, a summary of personal information such as your name and address details, contact telephone numbers and the matters you have engaged us on are freely available to you by contacting the Assistant Partnership and Company Secretary on (03) 9672 3372.

For more detailed requests for access to personal information, for example, access to information held in archives, a fee may be charged to cover the cost of retrieval and the supply of this information to you.

All requests for access to personal information will be handled as quickly as possible and we will endeavor to process any request for access within 30 days after receiving it. Some requests for access may take longer than 30 days to process depending upon the nature of the personal information being sought.

Corrs may be required by law to retain your personal information for a period of time after you have ceased your relationship with us. After the required time has passed we attend to the secure destruction or deletion of your personal information. As noted this generally occurs after 7 years.

Can your request to access to your personal information be denied?

Corrs is not always required to provide you with access to your personal information on request.

We may refuse you access to personal information in a number of circumstances such as where the information may relate to existing or anticipated legal proceedings with you, where denying access is required or authorised by law, or where the request for access is regarded as frivolous or vexatious.

If we deny your request for access to, or refuse your request to correct your personal information, we will explain why.

What is a Commonwealth identifier?

A Commonwealth identifier is a Commonwealth Government or Commonwealth Government agency designated identification number such as your Tax File Number (TFN) or Medicare number.

Corrs does not use Commonwealth identifiers as a means of identifying the personal information that we may have collected about you.

Do I have to be identified at all?

Wherever it is lawful and practicable to do so, we may offer you the opportunity to deal with us anonymously. For example, when making an inquiry about the type of products or services we offer.

Otherwise, the nature of legal service provision is such that anonymity cannot be maintained.

Does my personal information leave Australia?

Corrs does not send personal information outside Australia unless it is authorised to do so by law or you have consented to it as part of the legal service we are providing to you.

Sensitive information

If personal information concerns particular matters it is regarded as sensitive information.

Sensitive information can be information about your:

• racial or ethnic origin
• political opinions
• membership of a political association
• religious beliefs or affiliations
• philosophical beliefs
• membership of a professional or trade association
• membership of a trade union
• sexual preferences or practices
• criminal record
• health

Corrs only collects, uses or discloses sensitive information about you as allowed by law, for example, where we have received your consent to do so, or the collection is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal claim.

Access to our services via the Internet

When you access Corrs' website on www.corrs.com.au you can view the privacy statement relating to internet use.

Security of your personal information online

Generally, e-mail is not a secure way to communicate and you should be aware of this when sending personal information to us via e-mail.

Our Privacy Policy may change from time to time

Corrs regularly reviews all its policies and procedures. As a result we may change this Privacy Policy from time to time.

This Privacy Policy was last amended on 21 December 2001.

Concerns or requests for access?

If you have a question about this Privacy Policy or wish to lodge a request to access your personal information you can contact us in any of the following ways,

By visiting - any of the offices listed in this policy

By telephoning - +61 3 9672 3372

By writing to - Assistant Partnership and Company Secretary (Privacy), Corrs Chambers Westgarth, GPO Box 9925, MELBOURNE VIC 3001

By emailing - privacy@corrs.com.au

Can I complain about a breach of my privacy?

If you believe that Corrs has not protected your personal information as set out in this Privacy Policy you may lodge a complaint with us in any of the following ways:

By telephoning - +61 3 9672 3372

By writing to - Assistant Partnership and Company Secretary (Privacy), Corrs Chambers Westgarth, GPO Box 9925, MELBOURNE VIC 3001

By emailing - privacy@corrs.com.au

What if I am not satisfied with the response?

If you are not satisfied with the result of your complaint to Corrs you can refer your complaint to the Federal Privacy Commissioner.

You can contact the Federal Privacy Commissioner,

By telephoning - 1300 363 992

By writing to - Director of Complaints, Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, SYDNEY NSW 1042