Privacy Policy

Introduction

Harbourside Legal ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our services or visit our website.

We are bound by solicitor-client privilege and the professional standards of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society. This policy applies in addition to those professional obligations.

By engaging our services or using our website, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Contact information: name, address, telephone number, email address
• Identification information: date of birth, government identification numbers when required for legal matters
• Financial information: banking details, payment information when processing transactions
• Legal matter information: details about your circumstances, supporting documents, correspondence
• Communication records: emails, letters, notes from telephone conversations

Website Usage Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• Device information: browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage data: pages visited, time spent on pages, navigation patterns
• Connection information: IP address, referring website, access times
• Cookie data: as described in our Cookie Policy

How We Collect Information

We collect information through:

• Direct interactions: when you contact us, complete forms, or engage our services
• Automated technologies: cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website
• Third parties: from other lawyers, courts, registries, or parties involved in your matter
• Public sources: land registries, court records, corporate registries when relevant to your matter

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information based on:

• Consent: When you have given explicit consent for specific purposes
• Contract: When necessary to perform our legal services agreement with you
• Legal obligation: When required by law, regulation, or professional standards
• Legitimate interests: When necessary for our legitimate business purposes, such as improving our services, provided these do not override your rights

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

• Provide legal services and advice
• Communicate with you about your matter
• Process payments and maintain financial records
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Manage conflicts of interest
• Improve our services and client experience
• Protect our legal rights and fulfill professional obligations
• Send administrative information about our services

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

For legal files and client records, we follow the retention requirements of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, which generally require retention for a minimum of ten years after the matter closes.

Website usage data is typically retained for a shorter period, usually up to two years, unless longer retention is necessary for security or legal purposes.

Data Protection

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

• Encrypted communications and secure file transfer
• Access controls limiting who can view your information
• Secure physical storage for paper documents
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Staff training on confidentiality and data protection

In the event of a data breach that poses a significant risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by law.

Your Rights

Under applicable privacy laws, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances
• Restriction: Request that we limit how we use your information
• Portability: Request transfer of your information to another service provider
• Objection: Object to certain types of processing
• Withdraw consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time

Please note that some rights may be limited due to our professional obligations, including solicitor-client privilege and file retention requirements. We will explain any limitations when you make a request.

Third-Party Services

We may share your information with:

• Courts, tribunals, and registries as required for your legal matter
• Other parties to legal proceedings as necessary
• Professional service providers who assist with our operations
• Payment processors for financial transactions
• Cloud storage and technology providers

We require all third parties to respect the security of your personal information and to treat it in accordance with the law.

International Transfers

Your information is primarily stored and processed in Canada. If we need to transfer information outside Canada, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as contractual protections, to maintain the security and confidentiality of your information.

Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze site usage. For detailed information about the cookies we use and how to manage them, please see our Cookie Policy.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will post the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or have concerns about how we handle your information, please contact us: