My Law SA respects the right to privacy and confidentiality of our potential and existing clients’ personal information. The Protection of Personal Information Act describes personal information as information relating to an identifiable, living, natural person, and where it is applicable, an identifiable, existing juristic person. This includes data such as names, contact details and identity numbers. This Policy explains how we obtain, use and disclose our clients’ personal information, in accordance with the requirements of the Protection of Personal Information Act (“POPIA”) andthe Electronic Communications and Transaction Act (“ECTA”). At My Law SA we are committed to protecting our clients’ privacy and to ensure that their personal information is collected and used properly, lawfully and transparently. My Law SA reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy or add provisions to it at any time by publishing an updated version on our website.

The objective of this Policy is to ensure compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act and the Electronic Communications and Transaction Act by: Setting out our strategy to uphold the rights to privacy and confidentiality of our clients’ personal information. Notifying data subjects how we will handle personal information that we obtain.

My Law SA collects personal information in various instances, including when: data subjects contact My Law SA or request information or services; My Law SA provides services to data subjects; persons apply for employment at My Law SA; when persons use My Law SA’s websites or engage with My Law SA through social media or any other electronic communication channel. My Law SA may collect the information directly from a data subject or from third parties (such as regulators, government authorities and registries). My Law SA obtains data from POPI compliant data originators and process that data for purposes of lead generation. Any interaction with My Law SA on My Law SA’s website will result in the collection of information regarding the person’s activities on the website. Similarly, when anyone engages with the company via any one of My Law SA’s social media platforms or any other electronic communication channel will result in the collection of information. This information includes, but is not limited to, the person’s name, contact details and information regarding the matter with which they need assistance. In the course of engaging with clients, My Law SA will naturally be exposed to and collect personal information which includes the data subject’s name, contact details, financial information as well as other necessary information. My Law SA may require further details about a potential client’s claim and this might necessitate the completion of forms/Questionnaires and et cetera and the information provided therein is also collected. If the clients proceeds to provide My Law SA with the personal information the Client is deemed to have given consent to My Law SA to collect the personal information that is provided, irrespective of the means through which it is provided. As part of its recruitment processes, My Law SA collects information from graduates and employment applicants. This information includes educational information as well as employment history. By inquiring regarding employment opportunities at My Law SA or applying for employment, applicants are deemed to provide their consent to My Law SA’s processing of their personal information for recruitment purposes, which may include screening as well as background and reference checks. From time to time My Law SA may acquire data that contains personal information. At acquisition of data My Law SA will enquire whether the supplier is POPI compliant. My Law SA will accept the supplier response on face value, without further verification.

My Law SA may process personal information: to provide services to clients; to comply with legal or regulatory obligations; if a data subject has provided their consent; or if the processing is allowed by law. The purposes for which My Law SA processes personal information include, but are not limited to: marketing and promotion of My Law SA services; providing and improving services to clients; improving users’ experience when using My Law SA’s websites; satisfy My Law SA’s internal processes and mechanisms; and evaluate a client’s claim to determine viability.

We are legally obliged to provide adequate protection for the personal information we hold and to stop unauthorised access and use of personal information. We will, on an on-going basis, continue to review our security controls and related processes to ensure that our client’s personal information remains secure. Our security policies and procedures cover: Physical security; Computer and network security; Access to personal information; Secure communications; Retention and disposal of information; Acceptable usage of personal information; Governance and regulatory issues; Monitoring access and usage of private information; Investigating and reacting to security incidents.

We may disclose your information: Where we have a duty or a right to disclose in terms of law, industry codes or a Court Order; Where we believe it is necessary to protect our rights; The third parties to whom we disclose personal information include, but are not limited to: third party service providers to My Law SA or its clients; government authorities and registries, organs of state, regulators, courts, tribunals and law enforcement agencies.

Personal information collected by My Law SA may be transferred to persons in other countries. Those countries’ laws might not protect personal information in the same way or on the same level as the law in the data subject’s country. However, My Law SA will take reasonable steps to ensure that recipients in other countries have appropriate privacy measures in place.

My Law SA retains personal information for as long as may be reasonably necessary in accordance with applicable law.

My Law SA’s websites makes use of cookies. A website visitor may disable or decline cookies. However, if the visitor does so, their user experience on the site may be diminished.

My Law SA may send marketing and promotional communications and material to persons for purposes of lead generation. Recipients may opt-out from receiving such communications by contacting My Law SA at the details provided.

11.1 Access to Information

You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. To do this, simply contact us at the numbers/addresses as provided on our website and specify what information you require. We will need a copy of your ID document to confirm your identity before providing details of your personal information. Please note that any such access request may be subject to a payment of a legally allowable fee.

11.2 Correction of your Information

You have the right to ask us to update, correct or delete your personal information. We will require a copy of your ID document to confirm your identity before making changes to personal information we may hold about you. We would appreciate it if you would keep your personal information accurate.

11.3 Right to Object

In terms of section 11(3) of the Protection of Personal Information Act you have the right to object to our processing of your personal information.

You may object by sending a request in writing to info@mylawsa.co.za.

11.4 Right to Complain

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator should you feel that your personal data was not handled in a responsible manner. The complaint can be sent to the Information Regulator at: JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001 P.O Box 31533, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017 or complaints.IR@justice.gov.za

If you have any queries about this Policy, need further information about our privacy practices, wish to withdraw consent, exercise preferences or access/correct your personal information, please contact us at the numbers/addresses listed on our website.