We understand the importance of personal information privacy and are committed to the protection of personal information that we hold. Johnson Winter & Slattery is subject to the Privacy Act 1988, including the National Privacy Principles.

This policy sets out the way in which we collect, use and disclose personal information. We may amend this policy from time to time.

Our approach to privacy

Observing and protecting the confidentiality of client information is an essential aspect of the conduct of our business. Such information is generally only disclosed in accordance with a client's instructions.

Kinds of personal information held

We only collect personal information that is necessary for us to perform our functions. The following information is usually collected:

•	your name, address, occupation and contact information
•	information about your dealings with us or our clients
•	your areas of interest in relation to fields of law or events
•	other personal information you may disclose to us when you give us instructions or request another service from us, or that is contained in communications between us and you

Where relevant we may ask you for other information - for example, qualifications and employment history if you are applying for a job with us.

How we collect personal information

We usually collect personal information in the following ways:

•	directly from you or when you provide information by e-mail via our website or in documents
•	from third parties, such as from your business associates, business counterparties or your employer
•	from publicly available sources

Collection of information from our website

When using our website you may voluntarily disclose personal information to us. Our server may automatically record details such as your internet address, domain name if applicable, and the date and time of your visit to our website. This information is used for internal purposes only.

We also make limited use of 'cookies' (messages given to your web browser by our web server, stored by your browser and sent back to the server each time a page is requested from the server). These cookies are used to monitor usage of our website.

Many internet browsers are set up so that they accept cookies. You may be able to change these settings so that cookies are not accepted or you are provided with options to accept or reject them as they are sent to your browser.

Why we collect personal information and consequences of not providing it to us

We collect personal information to meet our obligations to you or our clients and to enable us to conduct our business.

We also collect personal information so that we can improve the services we provide.

If you do not wish to give us personal information then, depending on the nature of the personal information that you decide not to give to us and the circumstances in which we have requested that information, our ability to meet our obligations to you, your business, your employer, our clients or related persons or bodies may be adversely affected.

How we use your personal information and when we disclose it

We use personal information primarily to provide legal and associated services to you and our clients. We may also use personal information to:

•	manage and administer the services we provide, including with respect to charging and billing
•	conduct our internal business operations (including meeting any relevant legal requirements)
•	manage client relationships and improve the services we provide
•	provide you or our clients with information about legal developments or events through our newsletters and other promotional materials
•	promote and market other products or services that you or our clients may be interested in
•	assess applications for employment

We may disclose personal information for the purpose for which it was collected and also:

•	subject to our obligations to clients, to any person where necessary or desirable in connection with the provision of our services, such as to the client, regulatory authorities and other parties
•	internally to partners and staff of our firm
•	to external service providers (on a confidential basis) so they can provide services related to our business to us, for example archives services
•	to barristers and other legal representatives
•	where required or authorised by law
•	where you consent to the disclosure

Where applicable we may rely on employee and related bodies' corporate exemptions that are available to us under the Privacy Act when using or disclosing personal information.

How we protect your personal information

Reasonable steps are taken by us to protect personal information we hold from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure, whether the information is in physical form or electronic.

Staff with access to such information are subject to obligations of confidentiality.

Access and correction

You can ask us to provide you with access to personal information we hold about you. We will comply with any such request except where the Privacy Act or the National Privacy Principles allow us to refuse to do so. There is no fee for making such a request, but we may charge for providing access. We will endeavour to respond to such a request within 14 days.

Contact details

By calling +61 8 8239 7111 and asking for the Managing Partner, or by writing to us, you can: