Privacy Policy

In this Privacy Policy, references to “we”, “us”, or “our” mean Higher Echelon Law.

Your privacy is important to us. We are committed to safeguarding your personal information and handling it responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable data protection laws. We are registered with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as a data controller.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully, as it explains how and why we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

 

Information We Collect

We may collect and process personal information that you provide to us:

• When you instruct us to provide legal services
• When we communicate with you via our website, in writing, or by telephone
• When you request information, assistance, or a quotation

 

Personal Information We Process

This may include:

• Personal details such as your name, date of birth, address, National Insurance number, telephone number, and email address
• Identity information including passports, driving licences, utility bills, or national identity cards
• Credit and financial information, including data obtained from credit reference and fraud prevention agencies
• Family, lifestyle, financial, and social circumstances
• Financial information such as income and bank account details
• Employment or self-employment details

 

Special Categories of Personal Data

Special category data includes information relating to health or other sensitive personal matters.

We do not normally process such data unless:

• You have voluntarily provided it to us; or
• It is relevant to the legal services you have asked us to provide

Examples include family or matrimonial matters, or where you have informed us of circumstances that may mean you are considered a vulnerable client. Where such data is processed, it will only be used where necessary, with appropriate safeguards, and we will take steps to minimise its use wherever possible.

 

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

• Provide legal services to you
• Manage and administer your matter and our relationship with you
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations, including anti-money laundering and financial crime prevention
• Meet our contractual obligations
• Where permitted, pursue our legitimate interests in providing and improving our services

 

Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data for the following purposes and legal bases:

• Providing legal services and internal administration – contractual obligation and legitimate interests
• Assessing your needs and providing suitable services – contractual obligation
• Identity verification and due diligence – legal obligation
• Billing and account management – contractual obligation
• Preventing fraud, money laundering, and financial crime – legal obligation
• Maintaining accurate client records – legal obligation
• Providing information you have requested – contractual obligation

Where special category data is processed, this is done only where necessary and lawful.

 

Relationship Management

We may process your information to:

• Manage and develop our relationship with you
• Improve our services and client experience
• Inform you about services that may be of interest to you, where you have consented
• Train and develop our staff to maintain service quality

 

Compliance with Legal Obligations

We may process your information to:

• Prevent, investigate, and prosecute crime or fraud
• Meet regulatory and legal requirements
• Conduct audits and quality assessments
• Disclose information where required by law, regulation, or court order
• Transfer information in the event of a business reorganisation or transfer

 

How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain personal information in line with legal and regulatory requirements and will securely destroy or anonymise it when no longer needed.

Type of Information	Retention Period
General personal data	6 years after the end of the business relationship or matter
Client due diligence material	5 years after the end of the business relationship or matter
Special category data	6 years after the end of the relationship
Call recordings	1 year

How We Share Your Information

Where necessary, we may share your information with:

• Regulatory authorities
• Credit reference and fraud prevention agencies
• Property search providers
• Insurers
• Estate agents, brokers, lenders, and other solicitors involved in your transaction
• Government bodies such as HMRC, HM Land Registry, Companies House, or the courts
• Barristers and expert advisers
• Auditors and accreditation bodies

We may also invite you to provide feedback on our services. Where this involves third-party platforms (such as review providers), limited information may be shared for this purpose only.

 

Information Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, or disclosure. While we take security seriously, no online system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

 

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Minor changes will be posted on this page, and significant changes will be communicated to you where appropriate.

 

Cookies

Our website uses cookies, including analytics cookies, to understand how visitors use our website and to improve functionality.

 

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request access to your personal information
• Request correction or deletion of inaccurate data
• Object to or restrict certain processing
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

These rights are subject to legal limitations. Requests should be made in writing using the contact details below.

 

Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal information, please contact us and we will investigate your concerns. 

 

Contact Us

For privacy-related enquiries, please contact:

Higher Echelon Law
Email: support@higherechelonlaw.com
Telephone: 0333 301 1130