Regulatory Policies
This page sets out all the policies of our firm as well as for usage of this website. Please click on a link below to jump to that section.
Chambers Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, number 288499. A list of Partners is available from our offices.
Follow this link to see the SRA code of conduct
If you have a complaint you can contact our nominated Complaints Partner, Raman Saluja, on 01753 522204.
Disclaimer
The content of this website is for informational purposes only. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice. If you require specific legal advice please contact us.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Chambers Solicitors and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Chambers Solicitors. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, Chambers Solicitors takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
Privacy Policy
GDPR Privacy Notice Update
Updated Privacy Laws
You may be aware that this month privacy laws are changing. As of 25 May 2018 the General Data Protection Regulations (hereinafter referred to as “the GDPR) will come into force, overhauling the current data protection laws and will place stricter and more onerous obligations on organisations that receive personal data. As such, you will find that organisations will contact you regarding this update, and will be asking you how you would like to be contacted. A link to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) website can be found below for further information.
We would like to make clear that the changes to current privacy laws does not change what we do with your personal data. We will continue to require photo ID and proof of address at the outset of every transaction, and we will still require your contact details and other information as described in our client care letters in order to conduct your transaction effectively. The changes in the law mean that you will have more control over how your data is used, and how you can be contacted. The changes being introduced help better protect your personal data.
We are amending our Terms of Business and this Privacy Notice to include certain information that will assist you with making the right choices for yourself in respect of personal data. We ask that you read this information very carefully, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Who we are
We are Chambers Solicitors, of 22 Windsor Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2EJ, and we are your data controller. Our telephone number is 01753 522 204, our fax number is 01753 524 876 and our DX number is 42274 Slough West. A list of Partners is available at our offices.
Our Data Protection Officer
We have nominated Raman Saluja to be our Data Protection Officer. He will be in charge of co-ordinating the changeover to the new data protection laws. We ask that any requests for information be put in writing to our offices, marked for the attention of Raman Saluja. If you wish to discuss anything relating to your personal data over the telephone, please call us and ask for Simran, who is our designated Compliance Assistant.
What personal data is held
We will hold details of the below in respect of our clients firm-wide (this list is not exhaustive):-
- Name;
- Address;
- Date of birth;
- National Insurance number;
- Telephone number;
- Email address;
- Mortgage account number;
- Bank account number and sort code;
- Medical information;
- Lifestyle and social circumstances;
- Business details;
- Education and employment details;
- Physical or mental health details;
- Political opinions or religious belief;
- Sexual life;
- Trade union memberships;
- Offences or alleged offences.
The legal basis under which we process your information
At the outset of your transaction we sent to you a client care letter, which you either returned to us signed, or returned a signed declaration of instructions. This constitute our legal retainer, our contract, and it is necessary for us to process your personal data for the performance of this contract.
We are also required to comply with our legal obligations, under Money Laundering Regulations, Law Society good practice guidance and the SRA rules. This includes taking the personal data listed above in order to effectively carry out your transaction.
How the data is stored
While your transaction is ongoing, your personal data is stored in your personal file, which is kept locked in your fee-earner’s room. Once the matter has concluded, the file is stored in our on-site storage facility for up to 2 months, following which it is transferred to our off-site facility, to which only our Partners hold the keys.
Who will it be shared with and for what purpose
We only use your personal data in order to carry out your instructions, for example when purchasing a property, we will use your details to apply to Land Registry for registration, or when you are involved in a Road Traffic Accident, we will use your details to arrange for a medical exam. We do not share your information with third parties unless it is in the usual course of your transaction.
How long we will store your data
We store your paper file for 6 years following completion of the matter in accordance with usual practice. Following that date we will destroy the file securely, save for original documents (such as deeds, wills, probate etc.) and we remove the electronic file from our system in line with this policy.
Your rights
You have the right to access your data via a Subject Access Request (SAR). We do not charge for this and we aim to provide information as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within one month of receipt of the request. Please note that the SAR is also subject to our regulatory requirements for confidentiality and disclosure. If you wish to make a SAR please contact us and we will provide you with our SAR Form for completion and return.
You also have the right to have your data corrected, if you deem it incorrect. You also now have the right to erasure of your personal data when it is no longer required for the purposes for which it is collected, the right to restrict or the right to object to us processing your data in specific circumstances. Regarding these rights, you will appreciate that without the personal data that relates to your transaction it is likely that we are unable to act for you, as we must comply with our regulatory and compliance requirements.
You are able to make a request to have your data transferred to another controller, which does not differ from current good practice. We will need your written authority to do this, as before.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the ICO. We ask that you follow our usual complaints procedure, which is available upon request.
Transfer of data
We will not transfer your data outside of the UK or the EU.
Automated-decision making
We do not use your personal data to carry out automated-decision making or profiling.
Legally privileged information
Where personal data is classed as legally privileged, that data is exempt from the GDPR information provisions.
Useful links:
ICO Website https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/
GDPR http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-5419-2016-INIT/en/pdf
Cookies Policy
A cookie is an alphanumeric identifier which we transfer to your hard drive through your web browser when you visit our website. It enables our own system to recognise you when you visit our website again and improve our service to you. Cookies may also be used to compile aggregate information about areas of our website that are visited most frequently. This traffic information can be used to enhance the content of our website and make your use of it easier.
Our website only uses one type of cookie, these cookies collect information about how visitors use our web site, for instance which pages visitors go to most often, and if they get error messages from web pages. These cookies don't collect information that identifies a visitor although they may collect the IP address of the device used to access the site. All information these cookies collect is anonymous and is only used to improve how our website works, and your user experience.
By using our website (through any device) you agree that this Cookies Policy applies to that use in addition to any other terms and conditions which may apply.
