About this policy
Pezikian Legal is operated by GKP Group Pty Ltd. In this policy, “Pezikian Legal”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to GKP Group Pty Ltd trading as Pezikian Legal.
We are committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles where they apply to us. This policy explains how we manage personal information collected through our website, enquiries and legal practice.
This policy does not form part of a legal services agreement. Additional confidentiality, file-management and disclosure obligations may apply when we act for a client.
What is personal information
Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. Depending on the matter, some information may also be sensitive information under privacy law.
The information we collect depends on how you interact with us and the nature of the matter.
Information we may collect
- Identity and contact details, including your name, address, email address and telephone number
- Information submitted through our website enquiry form or sent by email, telephone, post or another communication channel
- Details about a legal matter, transaction, property, building project, strata scheme, dispute or other issue on which you seek assistance
- Information required to conduct conflict checks, identify clients, verify identity, meet professional obligations or open and manage a file
- Financial and transaction information needed for billing, trust accounting, settlement or legal work
- Information about other people where it is relevant to an enquiry or matter, including counterparties, witnesses, experts, contractors, owners, occupiers and advisers
- Records of communications and documents provided to or created by us
- Website and technical information, such as IP address, device and browser information, pages viewed, referring website, approximate location and interaction data where analytics or security tools are enabled
- Preferences relating to publications, updates or other communications
How we collect information
We generally collect personal information directly from you when you use the website, submit an enquiry, call or email us, meet with us, instruct us or provide documents.
We may also collect information from an authorised representative, another party to a matter, a court or tribunal, a government agency, a public register, a search provider, a professional adviser, an expert, a service provider or through another lawful channel where the information is relevant to our work.
If you provide personal information about another person, you should ensure you are authorised to do so and, where appropriate, make them aware of this policy.
Website enquiries are not confidential retainers
Sending information through the website or by email does not by itself create a solicitor-client relationship or mean that Pezikian Legal has agreed to act. We must first complete any required conflict, identity, capacity and matter-acceptance checks and confirm the engagement in writing.
Do not send highly sensitive, privileged, time-critical or original documents through the website enquiry form. Provide only enough information for us to understand the general nature of the enquiry and contact you. If a deadline is approaching, telephone us directly and seek urgent legal advice.
Why we collect and use information
- Responding to enquiries and deciding whether we can assist
- Conducting conflict, identity, capacity and risk checks
- Providing legal services and carrying out client instructions
- Communicating with clients, prospective clients, other parties, courts, tribunals, regulators, experts and service providers
- Managing files, deadlines, records, trust money, billing and accounts
- Operating, securing, maintaining and improving our website and business systems
- Meeting legal, regulatory, insurance, professional, taxation, audit and reporting obligations
- Preventing fraud, cyber incidents, misuse and unlawful activity
- Managing complaints, disputes, claims and legal proceedings
- Sending publications or service-related updates where permitted and where you have consented or would reasonably expect them
If information is not provided
You may choose not to provide personal information. However, we may be unable to respond fully to an enquiry, complete required checks, accept instructions or provide legal services if we do not receive the information reasonably required for those purposes.
How we may disclose information
We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, where you authorise us, or where disclosure is required or permitted by law or professional obligations.
- Courts, tribunals, regulators, government agencies, law enforcement bodies and dispute-resolution services
- Barristers, experts, consultants, investigators, search providers, settlement agents and other professional advisers engaged for a matter
- Other parties, their legal representatives and transaction participants where required to carry out instructions or progress a matter
- Banks, insurers, auditors, accountants and professional-indemnity providers
- Technology, hosting, email, document-management, data-storage, security, analytics, payment, printing, archiving and other operational service providers
- A purchaser, successor or adviser involved in a proposed restructuring or transfer of our business, subject to appropriate confidentiality arrangements
- Any other person where you consent or where disclosure is authorised or required by law
Overseas storage and disclosure
Some technology and service providers may store or process information outside Australia or use infrastructure located in multiple countries. The countries involved can change according to the provider and service configuration.
Where applicable, we take reasonable steps to use reputable providers, review relevant security and privacy settings and protect information in accordance with our legal and professional obligations. Contact us if you need information about overseas handling relevant to a particular service or matter.
Website analytics, cookies and external services
Our website may use essential cookies and similar technologies for security, performance and functionality. If analytics tools are enabled, they may collect technical and usage information to help us understand how the website is used.
You can restrict cookies through your browser settings, although parts of the website may not function as intended. Our website may link to third-party websites or services. Their privacy practices are controlled by those third parties, and you should review their policies before providing information.
Direct marketing and publications
We may send legal updates, publications or information about our services where you have consented or where otherwise permitted by law. Commercial electronic messages will identify the sender and provide a practical way to unsubscribe.
You can opt out at any time by using the unsubscribe facility in the message or contacting us. We will action the request within the period required by law. Service communications about an active enquiry or matter are not marketing and may continue where necessary.
Security and retention
We take reasonable administrative, technical and physical steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Measures may include access controls, authentication, secure service providers, staff procedures, backups and incident-response processes.
No internet transmission or storage system is completely secure. If you believe information sent to us has been compromised, contact us immediately.
We retain information for as long as reasonably required for the purpose for which it was collected and to meet legal, professional, insurance, taxation, dispute-resolution and recordkeeping obligations. When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to destroy it securely or de-identify it, subject to any obligation or lawful basis to retain it.
Data breaches
If a data breach occurs, we will assess and respond to it in accordance with applicable law and our professional obligations. Where the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme applies and a breach is likely to result in serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner as required.
Access and correction
You may request access to personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct information that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading.
We may need to verify your identity before processing a request. In some circumstances, access may be refused or limited where permitted by law, including where access would affect legal professional privilege, another person’s privacy, court or tribunal processes, or our legal and professional obligations. If we refuse a request, we will explain the basis where required.
Privacy enquiries and complaints
To ask a question, request access or correction, or make a privacy complaint, contact Pezikian Legal by email at info@pezikianlegal.com.au or telephone on 0481 224 888.
Please describe the issue and provide enough information for us to identify the relevant records. We will acknowledge and investigate a complaint within a reasonable period. If you are not satisfied with our response and the Privacy Act applies, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner through oaic.gov.au.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy when our practices, website services or legal obligations change. The current version will be published on this page with its effective date.