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Barrister connect terms and conditions

The purpose of this notice is to provide you with information the type of personal data we collect, how we use it, how we ensure security and comply with the GDPR. Our full provisions on privacy can be found in our Privacy Policy which is available on request using the contact details below.

Introduction

The companies operating under the "The Barrister Group" brand include: European Administration Limited (a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 04207276) ("EAL") who operate Clerksroom, a website through which you can book the services of member barristers and mediators; Clerksroom Direct Ltd (a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 09338685) ("CDL") who operate Barrister Connect, a directory of barristers; and Clerksroom Mediation Limited (a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 14025764) ("CML") who arrange mediation services. These companies are collectively referred to as “The Barrister Group”, "we", "us" and "our". 

The companies operating under the “The Barrister Group" brands respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy will inform you as to how they look after your personal data when you visit their websites (each a "Website" and together the "Websites") (regardless of where you visit from), express an interest in the services, use their services and/or otherwise contact them and tell you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you. 

Any reference to "you" or "your", means you as a customer of our services, as a user of each Website and/or as an individual who otherwise contacts us (either on behalf of yourself, your business or another individual or organisation). 

a. Status 

The Barrister Group takes data privacy seriously, we want you to trust us with your information and be assured that your rights and privacy are protected. This privacy notice describes the information we collect about you, how it is used and shared and your rights regarding it. 

The Barrister Group is bound by applicable data protection laws in respect of the handling and collection of your personal data. For the purposes of data protection laws, each of the companies trading under the "The Barrister Group" brand are a controller and responsible for your personal data:

  • EAL is registered as a controller with the Information Commissioner's Office under number Z5553847;
  • CDL is registered as a controller with the Information Commissioner's Office under number ZA708518;
  • CML is registered as a controller with the Information Commissioner's Office under number ZB387909.

Individual barrister and mediator members of Chambers (or any that you may come into contact with through our services) are data controllers in their own right operating independently of us, and each member has their own Privacy Notice which applies to their handling of personal data set out on their profile page which can be found here. They have a contractual arrangement with The Barrister Group to act as their data processor.

b. Changes

We keep our privacy policy under regular review. This version was last updated on 1/11/22. Accordingly, please continue to review the privacy notice whenever accessing or using the Websites and/or our services to ensure you are happy with any and all changes.

It is important that the personal data we hold about you is accurate and current. Please keep us informed if your personal data changes during your relationship with us.

When and how we collect your personal information

Information is usually provided to us by the instructing party for the purposes of the delivery of legal services. Most personal data is used as required for a case in which a member of Chambers is instructed. 

We may collect data from you in the below instances; 

  • You have submitted your contact details through an online form, request or email
  • You have contacted us via email, telephone or on our website
  • You have visited our website
  • You have used our online services
  • You are a current or former employee, member, associate, mediator, or supplier
  • You have submitted an application for employment, membership or pupillage
  • You sign up to an event we are hosting or promoting
  • We may also obtain data through third parties or publicly available services; for example, when we need to verify information given to us or as part of the delivery of services. However, we do not purchase “lists” containing data. 
What data we process about you

The type of information we may collect from you includes: 

  • Personal details such as your name, address, date of birth, email address, phone number and other contact information
  • Payment or bank details
  • Next of kin and family details
  • Curriculum vitae, details on education, employment history and professional or regulatory arrangements
  • Financial information
  • Identification documents including photographic data
  • Technical data
  • Interests and preferences

Where relevant, we may also process special categories of data as defined by the UK GDPR, this includes personal data that reveals: 

  • Racial or ethnic origin
  • Political opinions
  • Religious and philosophical beliefs 
  • Trade union membership 
  • Genetic data 
  • Biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person
  • Data concerning health
  • Data concerning sex life or sexual orientation
  • Criminal offence data

When we do process such data, the legal basis will either be because it is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims or whenever courts are acting in their judicial capacity or because of a legal obligation. 

Why we process your personal information

We use the information you have given to us for the following purposes: 

  • Provision of legal services and representation
  • Management and administration of Chambers 
  • Direct enquiries to an appropriate member of staff or member
  • Investigation and  resolution of complaints or concerns
  • Communication  about products, services, surveys, news, updates and events 
  • Maintenance of internal records and contracts 
  • For billing services including making statutory returns, providing quotations and invoicing 
  • Activities relating to recruitment and employment of staff, members and our pupillage application process. 
  • To meet our legal and regulatory obligations 
  • For marketing purposes
  • To monitor and improve the use of our website
  • To conduct anti money laundering, terrorist financing or conflict of interest checks 

We will not use your information for purposes that are not clear when you provide your details. If a different legal basis to process your personal data becomes necessary, we will consider whether this secondary purpose is consistent with the original purpose and contact you if we consider this appropriate. 

Marketing data

We process personal data in order to provide appropriate information about services, seminars and events for existing and prospective clients.

If you attend an event, we will only share your personal information once we have obtained prior consent from you.

We will not send out unsolicited commercial e-mail unless you have given your prior consent. Where you have given us consent to send you marketing, you have the right to withdraw this at any time. 

All marketing emails give the recipient the opportunity to unsubscribe. You can also unsubscribe by hello@barristerconnect.com or by telephone on 01823 247 247 or by post at Equity House, Blackbrook Park Ave, Taunton, TA1 2PX.

 

Sharing your information

The Barrister Group has contractual arrangements with a number of data processors, who in turn may use sub-processors. 

We may share your information with:

  • instructing solicitors or other lawyers involved in your case; 
  • members of The Barrister Group including barristers, trainee barristers and mediators; 
  • our IT service providers;
  • our Chambers’ management staff and suppliers who provide administrative services for our practice; 
  • accounting and banking providers and officials;
  • third party contractors and suppliers necessary for the administration of chambers; 
  • members of the Judiciary and court officials; 
  • legal advisors in the event of a dispute, complaint, or other legal matter;
  • regulators or arbitrators, where complaints or disputes arise;
  • law enforcement officials, government authorities, regulatory bodies or other third parties, to meet any legal obligations; and
  • any other party where you have consented to the sharing of your personal information. 
  • Third parties to whom we may choose to sell, transfer or merge parts of our business or our assets. If a change happens to our business, then the new owners may use your personal data in the same way as set out in this privacy policy or the prospective buyer may use the same to evaluate their possible purchase.

We may be required to disclose your information to the Police or Intelligence Services where required or permitted by law. 

We may transfer your personal information to suppliers, service providers and lawyers based outside of the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for the purposes described in this privacy notice. The transfer will be subject to one or more appropriate safeguards including an approved adequacy decision and/or a contract with the recipient that means they must protect it to the same standards as the UK. 

Where we transfer personal information outside of the UK or EEA, we will conduct a risk assessment to ensure the level of protection is equivalent to that guaranteed under the UK GDPR. This includes assessing the data protection laws and practices of the third country, potential access by public authorities of the third country and the rights and remedies available to data subjects. Where necessary, we will adopt supplementary measures to bring the level of protection of the transferred data up to the required standard by the UK GDPR.