Pikes & Verekers is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected by complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This privacy policy uses the definitions of "personal information" and "sensitive information" which are provided in the Privacy Act.

Types of Personal Information we Collect and Hold 

We collect personal information that is necessary for us to provide legal services to you which may include your name, contact details, occupation, employment history, title, expertise and interests, and information concerning the matters on which a client seeks our services. We also collect sensitive information as set out below.

Collecting your Personal Information

We usually collect personal information directly from an individual when an individual communicates with us, such as when he or she:

• provides us with personal information in connection with the provision or potential provision of legal services by us;
• makes inquiries about our services or contacts us for any other reason so that we can process, deal with and respond to such queries or any other issues, including complaints;
• provides us with business cards or other contact information;
• registers for or attends Pikes & Verekers Lawyers’ events or third party events arranged in conjunction with Pikes & Verekers Lawyers;
• subscribes to our mailing lists;
• uses our website www.pvlaw.com.au; or
• applies for prospective employment and contracting opportunities at Pikes & Verekers Lawyers.

We may also collect personal information about an individual when a client (e.g. an employer, colleague or associate of the individual) uses our services.

We may also collect personal information about individuals from third parties, such as:

• agents or advisors on behalf of an individual;
• third party referrals;
• when we obtain references;
• through reports from professionals, such as medical professionals, or otherwise in connection with the provision of our legal services; or
• publicly available sources.

Sensitive Information

We may collect sensitive information about individuals, but only where:

• the individual has provided consent to such collection and the information is reasonably necessary for our functions or activities; or 
• as otherwise permitted by the APPs.

Cookies

We track traffic patterns throughout our website.

We use "cookies" on our website. A "cookie" is a small amount of information which is transferred to the hard drive of your computer and which can identify your web browser but not you. A cookie can collect and store information, but cannot interfere with your computer.

Our internet service provider will record and advise us of your service address, domain name, the date and time of your visit to our site, the pages viewed and the information downloaded.

If you want, you can disable your web browser from accepting cookies. If you do so, you can still access our website, but not all services may be available.

We collect and use personal information for our business purposes. The main purposes for which we collect and use information are:

• to provide our clients with legal services;
• where the information was given to us for another specific purpose (such as a job application), for that purpose;
• in respect of our website, to respond to any requests made and for statistical, web development and internal purposes;
• for our own internal, relationship and marketing purposes (however, we always provide a choice to "opt out" of receiving direct marketing or related communications from us); and
• for a related purpose, where the individual concerned would reasonably expect us to use it for that related purpose.

We may disclose personal information for the above purposes to third parties such as:

• a service company or trust company affiliated with the Pikes & Verekers Lawyers’ partnership;
• service providers, agents or contractors of Pikes & Verekers Lawyers, such as archive service providers or printers; or
• barristers, our interstate agents or other advisors we or our clients engage to assist in providing services.

We only disclose personal information:

• with the consent of the individual concerned;
• as otherwise permitted by the APPs; or 
• as required or permitted by law or court or tribunal order.

Pikes & Verekers Lawyers is also bound by professional obligations in respect of confidentiality.

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