Stevens Partners Conveyancing

This Policy outlines the way in which we, Stevens Partners Conveyancing (“we”, “us” or “our”), manage personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).stevenspartners.com.au.

Personal Information

We collect, hold, use and disclose personal information to carry out functions and perform activities in the ordinary course of our business, including:

  • Providing conveyancing services and related legal support;
  • Managing client transactions, settlements, and property transfers;
  • Meeting our legal and regulatory obligations;
  • Communicating with clients, third parties, and other professional advisers;
  • Marketing our services and promotions; and
  • Performing administrative and operational functions.

We may also collect sensitive information where reasonably necessary to perform our services, including financial, health, or other information relevant to a property transaction.

Collection

The primary way we collect personal information is when information is provided to us by our clients in the course of acting on their behalf and performing a requested conveyancing service. This information may include a client’s name, contact details, occupation, preferred communication method, financial and payment details, and any other relevant information required to carry out the requested service. Further, if provided by you, we may also collect and hold information relating to your passport, driver’s licence, birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other identity documents.

We may also collect personal information from a third party, such as a real estate agent, mortgage broker, financial institution, legal representative, or government authority, by way of correspondence, telephone conferences, in-person meetings, or via enquiries submitted through our website.

We may use third-party tools, including Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and our web hosting provider, to collect or view website traffic information. These third parties have their own privacy policies.

We may also collect email addresses and other details if you subscribe to newsletters or other communications.

Other types of personal information we may collect and hold include information about:

  • Individual and corporate interests from publicly available sources, including the Land Titles Office, Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), and other public registers;
  • Suppliers of goods and services to our practice;
  • Our employees’ employment history, qualifications, and references; and
  • Other individuals who come into contact with our practice in connection with our services.

Like many websites, our site may use “cookie” technology to measure site activity and customise information to your preferences. You may configure your browser to refuse cookies, but doing so may limit the functionality of our website.

Use and Disclosure

Personal information is confidential and we will only use personal information for the purpose for which it was collected, or for a related purpose if the use was reasonably expected, with your consent, or as required by law.

The most common situation where we use and disclose personal information, with express or implied authority, is in the performance of our conveyancing services on behalf of a client, which includes:

  • Dealing with a client and their nominated bank, financial institution or other relevant party;
  • Communicating with third parties involved in the transaction, such as agents or solicitors;
  • Preparing, reviewing and lodging conveyancing documents;
  • Acquiring information from statutory authorities and government departments;
  • Engaging specialist service providers, including valuers, surveyors, mortgage brokers, and other professional advisers;
  • Managing billing and sending invoices; and
  • Other purposes related to the above.

We may also use personal information to respond to enquiries, comply with our professional and legal obligations, and, subject to providing the ability to unsubscribe and having express or inferred consent, for marketing purposes, such as newsletters, publications, seminars, and events.

Quality

We take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we collect is accurate, complete, and up to date. Information collected from third parties or public sources may be confirmed with you where appropriate. We also invite you to notify us of any updates or corrections.

Storage and Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Personal information is stored in secure office premises and electronic databases with access controls.

When personal information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to ensure it is securely destroyed or de-identified.

Client files are generally retained for a minimum of seven (7) years, or longer where required by law or professional obligations.

Disclosure to Overseas Recipients

We may disclose personal information to overseas recipients who assist us in providing our services, including cloud-based service providers or specialist consultants. Where personal information is disclosed overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient complies with the Australian Privacy Principles or is subject to substantially similar privacy obligations.

Notifiable Data Breaches

If we experience a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm, we will comply with our obligations under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including notifying affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner where required.

Access and Correction

Subject to the exceptions set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), a person may seek access to and correction of the personal information we hold by contacting us in writing. We may require verification of identity before granting access.

If we refuse access to or correction of personal information, we will provide written reasons.

Further Questions and Complaints

Stevens Partners Conveyancing
Level 22, 30 Pirie Street Adelaide SA 5000

PO Box 3436 Rundle Mall SA 5000
T (08) 8232 8255
E [email protected]

Any complaint will be investigated, and we will respond within a reasonable timeframe. If the complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner via www.oaic.gov.au.

Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy from time to time by publishing the updated version on our website. We recommend reviewing this Policy periodically to remain informed of any changes.