The QLS Solicitor Support Pty Ltd (ABN 52 636 103 529) is a wholly owned incorporated legal practice of the Queensland Law Society Incorporated (ABN 33 423 389 441). We operate in conjunction with the QLS Ethics & Practice Centre to provide confidential ethics guidance and practice support to solicitors.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, hold, use and disclose personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (PA) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
What is personal information?
The PA defines what personal information means, but in summary it is any information or an opinion about an individual who is reasonably capable of being identified from that information or opinion. It does not include information which has been de-identified.
How and from whom do we collect personal information?
We collect personal information primarily from solicitors who telephone us seeking confidential guidance (our clients). The option for them to remain anonymous is provided.
Callers may be made aware of our Personal Information Collection Notice, if reasonable in the circumstances to do so. That notice is available here.
What kind of personal information do we collect and hold?
The personal information we collect may include:
- a client’s first and last name
- whether the client is a member of the Society
- the name of the client’s firm or employer
- the time of the call
- the client’s telephone number
- the reason for the client’s call
- a brief summary of the issue.
In limited circumstances, the personal information we collect may be sensitive information (within the meaning of the PA), for example, if you were to seek guidance in relation to unlawful discrimination.
Where a client wishes to remain anonymous, some of the above information, such as their name, contact details and firm or employer will not be retained, in which case it is unlikely that any personal information about the client will be collected unless it is about a third party.
If the client consents, calls may be recorded, and a copy of that recording retained.
Our clients may, while seeking our guidance, refer to the personal information of third parties (such as that of their own clients or another solicitor) which we may also collect.
Why do we collect and hold personal information?
To provide our clients with ethics and practice support and guidance.
The personal information we receive is privileged and confidential and we hold it securely in accordance with our professional obligations, including in electronic form.
The Society also maintains a privacy policy and that can be found here https://www.qls.com.au/Content-Collections/Policies/Privacy-policy .
Do you disclose personal information overseas?
No, we do not generally disclose personal information outside Australia.
How can I access or correct my personal information?
Please contact us as provided below for details about how to access or correct personal information. There will be situations where we may lawfully decline to provide access or to make the requested corrections. There may also be charges for providing access or making corrections, although there is no charge to apply. Charges will be reasonable and may vary from time to time.
Where can I find the APPs?
The APPs and related legislation and resources can be obtained from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OIAC): https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-principles.
What if I have a privacy complaint?
Please contact us as provided below. We will respond to you about your complaint within a reasonable time.
Outside our organisation, if you have a complaint in relation to our compliance with the PA or APPs, you may wish to contact the OAIC: https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us.
Please note that in the case of complaints to the OAIC, it is a requirement that you have complained to us in the first instance.
Future changes
We may update this Privacy Policy in the future without letting you know.
How to contact us
QLS Solicitor Support Pty Ltd
c/- QLS Ethics and Practice Centre
GPO Box 1785
Brisbane QLD 4001
(07) 3842 5843
Version [1] 21 April 2022