Privacy Policy

Drinkwater Criminal and Family Lawyers respects your right to privacy and is committed to safeguarding your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose and store your personal information through our website and during the course of our legal services.

1. What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect and hold personal information including:

  • Your name, address and contact details

  • Date of birth, occupation and identification details

  • Sensitive information, including health or criminal history (where relevant to your matter)

  • Financial information and supporting documentation

  • Information about legal matters or enquiries you provide to us

We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for us to provide legal services or respond to your enquiry.

2. How We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information directly from you when you:

  • Contact us via our website, phone, email or in person

  • Make an enquiry or request an appointment

  • Engage us to provide legal services

  • Complete forms, questionnaires or provide supporting documents

We may also collect information from third parties such as courts, government agencies, your authorised representatives or other parties involved in your legal matter.

3. Why We Collect and Use Your Information

We collect, hold and use your personal information for purposes including:

  • To provide legal advice and representation

  • To communicate with you about your matter or enquiry

  • To manage our client relationships and business operations

  • To meet our legal and professional obligations

We will not use your personal information for any purpose unrelated to the services we provide unless you give your consent or we are authorised or required to do so by law.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information to:

  • Courts, tribunals or other parties in the course of providing legal services

  • Government agencies or regulators as required by law

  • Third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business (e.g. IT providers, document storage)

  • Legal aid agencies (where applicable)

We ensure that any third parties we engage are bound by confidentiality and privacy obligations.

5. Security and Storage

We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. This includes physical, electronic and procedural safeguards.

When your information is no longer required, we securely destroy or de-identify it in accordance with our legal obligations.

6. Accessing and Correcting Your Information

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you at any time. If you believe the information we hold is incorrect or outdated, please contact us and we will take reasonable steps to correct it.

To request access or correction, please contact us using the details below.

7. Website and Cookies

Our website may use cookies or tracking technologies to improve your user experience. This information does not personally identify you but may include browser type, pages viewed and session length.

You can disable cookies in your browser settings if you prefer not to share this data.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please Contact Us

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.