Privacy Policy
Locke Family Law Pty Ltd is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information entrusted to us.
As a small business operator, we are generally exempt from the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Notwithstanding that exemption, we recognise the sensitive nature of the information entrusted to us and seek to handle personal information responsibly and in a manner consistent with good privacy practices and our professional obligations of confidentiality.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store and manage personal information obtained in connection with our legal services and operation of our practice.
Collection of Personal Information
We may collect personal information that is reasonably necessary to provide legal services and conduct our business.
The personal information we collect may include:
Name, date of birth and contact details.
Residential and postal addresses.
Email addresses and telephone numbers.
Employment and occupation details.
Financial information, including information relating to income, assets, liabilities, superannuation and financial resources.
Identification documents.
Information relating to family relationships and children.
Information provided in court documents, correspondence and other records relevant to your matter.
Given the nature of family law matters, we may also collect sensitive information where relevant to your matter, including:
Medical and health information and reports.
Psychological and psychiatric reports.
Information relating to family violence or domestic violence.
Criminal history information
Information concerning children.
Cultural, religious or other personal information relevant to the issues in dispute.
How We Collect Information
We may collect personal information directly from you through:
Initial enquiries and consultations.
Telephone conversations.
Emails and correspondence.
Online forms and website enquiries.
Documents and records provided by you.
We may also collect information from third parties where reasonably necessary to conduct your matter, including:
Courts and tribunals.
Government agencies.
Medical practitioners and healthcare providers.
Psychologists, counsellors and therapists.
Schools and educational institutions.
Accountants and financial advisers.
Valuers and other experts.
Barristers and other legal professionals.
Mediators and dispute resolution practitioners.
Opposing parties and their legal representatives.
Publicly available sources.
Use of Personal Information
We may use personal information for purposes including:
Providing legal advice and representation.
Conducting conflict checks.
Preparing legal documents and correspondence.
Communicating with clients and third parties.
Managing court proceedings and dispute resolution processes.
Verifying identity.
Managing billing and payment arrangements.
Improving our services and business operations.
Complying with legal, regulatory and professional obligations.
Marketing our services where permitted by law.
Disclosure of Personal Information
We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary for the conduct of your matter or operation of our practice, including to:
Courts and tribunals.
Barristers and counsel.
Mediators and dispute resolution practitioners.
Expert witnesses and consultants.
Valuers, accountants and forensic experts.
Government agencies.
Process servers.
Opposing parties and their legal representatives.
Professional advisers and insurers.
Information technology providers and cloud storage providers.
We may also disclose personal information where required or authorised by law.
Artificial Intelligence and Technology
To assist in the delivery of legal services and improve efficiency, we may use artificial intelligence and other technology-based tools.
These tools may be used for tasks such as document review, drafting assistance, summarisation, legal research, workflow management and administrative support.
Where such tools are used, we take reasonable steps to protect confidential information and seek to engage reputable providers with appropriate security measures.
Any work product generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence is reviewed by a qualified legal practitioner before being relied upon or provided to a client.
By engaging our services, you acknowledge that we may use artificial intelligence and similar technologies as part of the provision of legal services.
Smokeball
We utilise the legal practice management software provided by Smokeball Australia to assist with the management and administration of our legal practice.
Personal information relevant to your matter may be stored, processed and managed within Smokeball for purposes including:
Matter management.
Document creation and storage.
File administration.
Time recording and billing.
Trust accounting integration.
Client communications.
Workflow management.
Legal practice administration.
Information stored within Smokeball may include contact details, correspondence, file notes, court documents, financial information, identification documents and other information relevant to your matter.
By engaging our services, you acknowledge that your personal information may be stored and processed within Smokeball and other technology systems reasonably required for the provision of legal services.
Overseas Storage and Processing
Some technology providers, cloud service providers, software platforms and artificial intelligence providers used by us may store or process information outside Australia.
By providing personal information to us, you acknowledge that information may be stored or processed in overseas jurisdictions where those service providers operate.
Security of Information
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Measures may include:
Password-protected systems.
Multi-factor authentication.
Secure cloud-based storage.
Access controls.
Staff confidentiality obligations.
Secure document management practices.
While we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Telephone Calls and Call Recording
We may record telephone conversations with clients, prospective clients and other parties. Call recordings may be made for purposes including maintaining accurate records of your matter, staff training and quality assurance, and resolving any dispute as to the content of a conversation.
Call recordings are treated as personal information and handled in accordance with this Policy, including the security and retention provisions set out below. Access to recordings is limited to authorised personnel for the purposes described above.
Retention of Information
We retain client files and personal information electronically for 7 years, after which we may securely destroy that information.
Access and Correction
You may request access to personal information we hold about you and request correction of inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information.
Requests should be made in writing to us.
We may refuse access where permitted by law, including where legal professional privilege applies or where disclosure would adversely affect the rights of another person.
Website and Cookies
Our website may collect information regarding how visitors interact with the site, including through the use of cookies and analytics tools.
This information may be used to:
Improve website functionality.
Monitor website performance.
Better understand user behaviour.
Improve marketing and communication strategies.
You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website functionality may be affected.
Complaints
If you have concerns regarding how we have handled your personal information, you may contact us in writing.
We will investigate your concerns and endeavour to respond within a reasonable time.
Although Locke Family Law may be exempt from the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), we take privacy concerns seriously and will seek to resolve any complaint fairly and promptly.
Changes to this Policy
We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The most current version of this Privacy Policy will be published on our website and will take effect immediately upon publication.
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