Who We Are
Elite Law Solicitors (‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’) collects and processes your personal information in accordance with this privacy notice and in compliance with applicable data protection legislation. This notice provides you with information about your rights and our obligations, and explains how, why and when we process your personal data.
Information That We Collect
We collect personal data required to deliver legal services, including your name, date of birth, contact details, National Insurance number, passport/ID details, financial information and special category data where necessary, such as medical information. We also collect matter-specific information relevant to your instructions.
How We Use Your Personal Data
Lawful bases for processing:
- Contract: to perform your legal instructions.
- Legal Obligation: to comply with regulatory and statutory requirements, including those imposed by the SRA and HMRC.
- Legitimate Interests: to manage and progress your legal matter, where this does not override your rights.
- Special Category Data: processed under Article 9(2)(f) UK GDPR, for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, or on the basis of explicit consent where required.
Your Rights
You have the right to access your personal data and request information about:
- what data we hold;
- the purposes of processing;
- the recipients of your data;
- retention periods; and
- the source of the data, if it was not collected from you.
You may request correction, restriction, deletion or portability of your data, or object to processing. You also have the right to withdraw consent where consent is used. We do not use automated decision-making.
Data Sharing
We share data only where necessary, including with barristers, experts, courts, regulators, insurers, IT providers and cloud service providers. All third-party processors operate under appropriate contractual safeguards.
How Long Will We Retain Information For?
We will retain your personal data for six years after your file is closed. Special category personal data held by us will be destroyed no later than six years after your file is closed, and in many matters much earlier. For statutory reasons, we may retain key personal identifiers after that period, but most personal information will no longer be accessible.
Safeguarding Measures
We take reasonable measures and precautions to protect and secure your personal data. We work to protect you and your information from unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure or destruction, and have several layers of security measures in place, including SSL, restricted access, IT authentication, firewalls and anti-virus/malware protection.
Transfers Outside the UK/EEA
We do not routinely transfer personal data outside the UK/EEA. Where such transfers are necessary, they will be carried out in compliance with UK GDPR requirements, including the use of appropriate safeguards such as adequacy decisions or standard contractual clauses.
Consequences of Not Providing Your Data
You are not obliged to provide your personal information to us. However, as this information is required for us to provide our services, we may not be able to act for you without it.
Contact & Complaints
Questions and comments regarding this privacy notice are welcomed and should be sent to our Data Protection Manager at Elite Law Solicitors, Chalfont Court, 5 Hill Avenue, Amersham, Bucks, HP6 5BD, or by email at hrdept@elitelawsolicitors.co.uk.
We process your personal data in accordance with this Privacy Notice and applicable data protection laws. If you are not satisfied with how we have handled your personal data, you have the right to make a complaint to us. You can do this by contacting our Data Protection Manager using the details above.
We will:
- acknowledge your complaint within 30 days of receipt;
- investigate your concerns and keep you informed of progress; and
- provide a response and outcome without undue delay.
If you remain dissatisfied following our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). You can contact the ICO at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF, or online via ICO website.
Marketing, Events and Business Development
We may collect and process personal data where you engage with us for marketing, business development, or networking purposes. This may include situations where you:
- attend one of our events, seminars or webinars;
- provide your contact details at a conference, exhibition or networking event;
- register your interest in our services; or
- sign up to receive legal updates, insights or event invitations.
The personal data we collect for these purposes typically includes your name, job title, organisation, email address and telephone number.
How we use this information
We use this personal data to:
- respond to enquiries or requests made by you;
- provide information or materials you have requested;
- manage event attendance and related communications; and
- send relevant updates or marketing communications where we are permitted to do so.
Lawful basis for processing
Our lawful basis for processing personal data for marketing and event-related purposes will depend on the circumstances, including:
- Consent – where you have opted in to receive marketing communications from us;
- Legitimate interests – where you engage with us in a business context and we send relevant, proportionate communications, provided this does not override your rights and expectations.
Electronic marketing communications
Marketing communications sent by email or other electronic means are subject to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). We will only send such communications where we have a valid legal basis to do so, which may include consent or a permitted exemption.
Your right to opt out
You have the right to object to direct marketing at any time. If you no longer wish to receive marketing communications from us, you can contact us using the details set out in this privacy notice or use the unsubscribe option in any communication.
We will respect your preferences promptly and in accordance with the law.
