Our Privacy Policy

This outlines the Privacy Policy for Opes Legal & Consulting Pty Ltd (ABN 69 662 596 367) (Opes). Protecting our clients' privacy is of the utmost importance to Opes.

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 clients seeking advice on structuring and estate planning (our clients) and also from our clients professional advisers such as financial planners and accountants. The information is generally collected from forms or during the course of meeting with you (whether virtually, in person or by telephone), or through ongoing communications with you or persons you authorise to communicate with us on your behalf.

What kind of personal information do we collect and hold?

The personal information we collect may include:

a client’s full name, date of birth, occupation, employer, preferences and interests
identification confirming identity of clients such as their driver's license or passport
a client’s telephone number, email address, residential and/or postal address
financial information such as bank account details, financial statements relating to trust interests including but not limited to superannuation
any concern identified by the client or their professional adviser

We may also collect personal information from you regarding your family situation, your partner, dependants, beneficiaries, and children to help us provide considered advice regarding your estate planning work. If you provide us with personal information about another person, we expect and assume that you have that person's permission to provide this information to us and that you have made them aware that their personal information will be handled in accordance with this Policy.

In some circumstances, the personal information we collect may be sensitive information (within the meaning of the PA), for example, if you were to provide us with information relating to a medical condition.

If the client consents, calls or meetings you or your personal representative may have with Opes 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 business or another professional adviser) which we may also collect.

Why do we collect and hold personal information?

For the purposes of providing legal services to our clients and verifying their identity. The personal information we receive is privileged and confidential and we hold it securely in accordance with our professional obligations, including in electronic form.

Do you disclose personal information overseas?

No, we do not generally disclose personal information outside Australia. However, we may use third-party service providers or offshore outsourcing services to provide services to you. Depending on the circumstances, the relevant countries will vary such that it is not practicable to list them here.

Any overseas disclosure does not affect our commitment to safeguarding your personal information and we will take reasonable steps to ensure any overseas recipient complies with the APPs.

Our website is hosted by Wix; while globally used it is based in Israel. Opes has not requested our website collect your personal information.

At times we will use Doodly software as part of our service offering which again is widely used but based in the United States of America. Some personal information will be used in preparing short animations using the Doodly software. Transmission of these short animations will be completed keeping safe the data included.

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 business, 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 - via post or email

Attention: Privacy Policy

Opes Legal & Consulting Pty Ltd

Level 19, 10 Eagle Street

BRISBANE QLD 4000

email : enquiries@opeslegal.com.au