Privacy Policy

Introduction

Aurora Legal Solutions ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other applicable privacy laws in Australia.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, engage our legal services, or otherwise interact with us.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Identity information: Name, date of birth, gender, identification documents
• Contact information: Address, email, phone numbers
• Financial information: Bank details, payment information, tax file numbers
• Legal matter information: Details about your legal matter, court documents, contracts
• Professional information: Employment details, business information
• Family information: Marital status, dependents, next of kin
• Website usage data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent on pages

1.2 Sensitive Information

In certain circumstances, we may collect sensitive information including:

• Health information (for personal injury or family law matters)
• Criminal records or allegations
• Immigration status
• Financial hardship information

We will only collect sensitive information with your consent or where required or authorised by law.

2. How We Collect Information

We collect personal information directly from you through:

• Consultation requests and initial meetings
• Client intake forms and questionnaires
• Email, phone, or written correspondence
• Our website contact forms and enquiry submissions
• In-person meetings and consultations
• Document review and file analysis

We may also collect information from third parties including:

• Courts, tribunals, and government agencies
• Other legal practitioners and law firms
• Expert witnesses and consultants
• Financial institutions and accountants
• Medical professionals and healthcare providers
• Opposing parties in legal matters

3. Why We Collect and Use Your Information

We collect and use your personal information for the following purposes:

3.1 Primary Purposes

• Legal services: To provide you with legal advice, representation, and related services
• Client management: To manage our relationship with you and maintain accurate client records
• Communication: To respond to your enquiries and keep you informed about your legal matter
• Billing and payments: To process invoices, payments, and maintain financial records
• Compliance: To comply with legal and regulatory obligations

3.2 Secondary Purposes

• To improve our services and client experience
• To send you legal updates and newsletters (with your consent)
• For quality assurance and staff training
• For business administration and management
• To maintain professional indemnity insurance

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We may disclose your personal information to:

• Legal professionals: Barristers, expert witnesses, other solicitors, and legal consultants
• Courts and tribunals: As required for legal proceedings
• Government agencies: When required by law (e.g., ASIC, ATO, AUSTRAC)
• Service providers: IT support, cloud storage providers, document management systems
• Financial institutions: For trust account management and payment processing
• Professional advisers: Accountants, auditors, insurance providers
• Opposing parties: Where necessary in the conduct of your legal matter
• Law Society of Western Australia: For regulatory compliance and professional obligations

We will not disclose your personal information to third parties except:

• With your consent
• As required or authorised by Australian law
• To protect our legal rights
• In connection with legal proceedings

5. Overseas Disclosure

Your personal information may be disclosed to overseas recipients in limited circumstances, such as:

• Cloud storage providers (servers may be located overseas)
• International legal matters requiring overseas counsel
• Immigration matters involving foreign governments

When we disclose information overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient complies with Australian privacy standards or we obtain your consent.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Secure encrypted file storage systems
• Password-protected databases and systems
• Secure email transmission (encrypted where possible)
• Restricted access to personal information
• Staff training on privacy and confidentiality obligations
• Regular security audits and updates
• Physical security measures at our office

Despite our security measures, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide you with legal services
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements (minimum 7 years for legal files under Legal Profession Act 2008 (WA))
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

After the retention period expires, we will securely destroy or de-identify your personal information unless we are required by law to retain it.

8. Your Rights and Choices

8.1 Access to Your Information

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. We will provide access unless an exception under the Privacy Act applies (e.g., legal privilege, frivolous requests).

8.2 Correction of Information

If you believe any information we hold about you is inaccurate, out-of-date, incomplete, or misleading, you can request correction. We will take reasonable steps to correct the information.

8.3 Complaints

If you have a privacy complaint, please contact us using the details below. We will:

1. Acknowledge your complaint within 7 days
2. Investigate the matter thoroughly
3. Respond to your complaint within 30 days
4. Take appropriate remedial action if necessary

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

• Website: www.oaic.gov.au
• Phone: 1300 363 992
• Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au

9. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Improve website functionality and user experience
• Analyse website traffic and usage patterns
• Provide personalised content

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect your experience on our website.

10. Links to Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date.

Continued use of our services after changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Legal Professional Privilege

Please note that communications between you and Aurora Legal Solutions may be subject to legal professional privilege. This means that information you provide to us for the purpose of obtaining legal advice is protected and generally cannot be disclosed without your consent, except in limited circumstances prescribed by law.

This privilege is separate from, and in addition to, the protections provided under privacy law.