18.1 We and our agents protect your personal information according to the Australian Privacy Principles and their guidelines, the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000, our firm’s Privacy Policy and the following additional Privacy Statement.

18.2 We retain the personal information that you or your agents provide to us. At the conclusion of your matter, we will retain this information unless otherwise agreed.

18.3 The information we retain includes your contact and financial details as well as other information or documentation relating to your matter(s).

18.4 We predominantly retain information and documentation in electronic format; unless any such agreed physical document is kept in in our securely locked office premises.

18.5 We maintain the electronic information on secure, local computers and offsite (e.g. ‘cloud’) third-party servers located within Australia and offshore. Those local computers and third-party servers are protected by encryption, firewalls, and anti-virus technologies. Those third-party servers are backed-up daily, and those electronic backups are held off-site at a secure location.

18.6 Electronic documents are archived after 3 months from the matter’s closure date. Archived material is also electronically maintained on secure, offsite servers located within Australia and offshore.

18.7 Physical documents kept in our securely locked office premises.  Subject to these Terms of Engagement, they will be returned upon request or, if to be retained-post completion (such as a Will or Power or Attorney) then they will remain in our office.

18.8 Our employees may access your personal information to maintain your matter.

18.9 You may access any personal information we hold about you relating to your matter.

18.10 If you request us to release your documents to you, we may require you sign a Release Form with satisfactory evidence of identification. If we require such, you agree to sign our Release Form and provide us with your satisfactory evidence of identification.

18.11 You may request that we amend your personal information. Such request may be made in person or in writing.

18.12 We retain your personal information for a minimum of 7 years. After 7 years the documents are destroyed.