Privacy

Introduction

In this Privacy Policy, the terms “Cusack & Co”, “we”, “us” or “our” refer to Cusack & Co Pty Ltd (ABN 86 624 026 571).

We are committed to protecting personal information we collect from you in accordance with all legal requirements, including but not limited to the Australian Privacy Principles (APP) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). The purpose of this Policy is to inform you about the information we may collect from you, how we will use it or disclose it and how you can contact us.

This Policy applies to personal information you provide to us in whatever manner you deal with us, whether by visiting our website, through engaging us to act as your lawyers, or in any other dealing you have with us. We may specify additional terms to apply to information you disclose in relation to our performance of legal services for you and those additional terms supersede anything in this policy. For employees, any personal information we collect is dealt with pursuant to the terms of their employment agreement and is not subject to this policy.

2. The information we collect

We collect the personal information we need to perform and provide our services as lawyers to our clients, to develop and promote our services and to assist us with complying with our legal and regulatory obligations. While the particular information we collect will depend upon the services we provide, typically it may include your name, address, title or position, telephone numbers, email addresses, social media addresses, expertise and interests. We may supplement the personal information that you provide with other information that we obtain from our dealings with you or from third parties.

It may be necessary for us to collect sensitive information about you in order to provide our services. Sensitive information is a class of personal information including but not limited to professional memberships, financial information, health information and your criminal or civil penalty history. We will collect sensitive information only when it is reasonably necessary for us to do so.

The nature of the work we carry out for our clients mean that there is no effective way for us to deal with clients who wish to remain anonymous or to use a pseudonym when dealing with us. If you do not consent to our collection of personal information we may not be able to provide services to you.

3.Our use of your personal information

Personal information that we obtain will be recorded, used, disclosed and protected by us in accordance with this Policy. We will primarily use or disclose (or both) your personal information:

(a) to provide our services;

(b) to communicate with you;

(c) for administrative purposes;

(d) to improve the quality of our services;

(e) for the marketing of our services to you; or

(f)  for job applicants, to consider making offers of employment.

When we collect personal information from you this will be for the primary purpose of providing legal services. By providing personal information you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information (including any sensitive personal information) for that purpose.

You may provide us with someone else’s personal information. Where you do, then we will accept that information on the basis that you have their authority or consent to provide us with it.

4. Disclosure of your information

We may disclose your personal information to third parties we engage with while providing services to you. These third parties may include barristers, other law firms, law enforcement, insurance companies and their agents, experts, delivery organisations, third party suppliers, agents and other service providers.

These third parties will have access to information needed to perform their function. By giving your personal information to us, you consent to us disclosing this personal information to third parties for any purpose related to purposes set out in this Policy.

5.Direct marketing

We will use your relevant personal information for the purpose of marketing our services. If you do not want to receive marketing material from us, please contact us on the details set out at the end of this Policy, alternatively:

6. Disclosure of your information outside Australia

Depending on the particular circumstances of your matter, we may disclose your personal information to entities overseas (for example, other law firms, experts or advisers) to provide legal services to you and as allowed by this Policy. These countries will have laws relating to the protection use and disclosure of personal information that are different from those that apply in Australia.

We may also store, process or back up your personal information on servers that are located overseas (including through third party service providers). Given the nature of how data is stored, either in the “cloud” or on third party servers located at multiple sites, it is not possible for us to advise you of the countries where your personal information may be stored.

7. Security of information

All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that all personal information is treated confidentially, kept secure, protected against unauthorised use and is used or disclosed or both for the purpose for which it was collected. Please be aware that the internet is not a secure environment and when you provide us with information over the internet you do so at your own risk.

8.Access and review of personal information

In some cases, you have the right to access and review your personal information held by us, subject to exceptions provided by law, including our obligations to provide legal services and to preserve information. Please direct all requests to the Privacy Officer in writing at the contact details below. We may charge a small fee towards the cost of administering any request you make.

All reasonable steps are taken to update the personal information we hold if the information is not accurate and complete. You may update your personal information by emailing us at admin@cusackandco.com.au. Please include your name, address and/or email address when you contact us.

Should you wish to contact us regarding this Privacy Policy, or complaints about the use of your personal information, please contact the Privacy Officer by email at admin@cusackandco.com.au. Alternatively, you can contact us at: Cusack & Co Pty Ltd, Level 4, 501 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Attention: The Privacy Officer.

Where you make a complaint and you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on 1300 363 992 or via email at enquiries@oaic.gov.au.

9.Changes to this Policy

This Policy may change from time to time. Accordingly we recommend that you check this page from time to time on our website in order to review the current policy.