This Privacy Policy sets out how HM & Co. Solicitors uses and protects any information that you provide to us.

1.0 Introduction
HM & Co. Solicitors takes the privacy and data protection of our clients, prospective clients, and website users very seriously. Please read the following information carefully. This privacy notice provides details about the personal data we collect, how we store and use it, with whom we share it, the security measures we have in place, and how to contact us if you have any concerns or wish to make a complaint. If you have any questions regarding your personal information or any queries about these practices, please contact us by email at info@hmsolicitorsltd.com.

2.0 Who We Are
HM & Co. Solicitors is responsible for collecting, using, and safeguarding personal information about you. For the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws, HM & Co. Solicitors acts as the “controller” of this information.

This Policy covers the following domain owned and managed by HM & Co. Solicitors (sub-domains are not listed separately):

• www.hmsolicitorsltd.com

2.1 We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our website visitors and service users. In this policy, we explain how we handle your personal data.

2.2 We will ask you to consent to our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy when you first visit our website.

3.0 Personal Data Collected

3.1 In this Section, we set out:
(a) The general categories of personal data we may process;
(b) The purposes for which we may process personal data; and
(c) The legal bases of the processing.

3.2 Site Usage Data: We may process data about your use of our website and services (“site usage data”). This may include your IP address, geographical location, browser type/version, operating system, referral source, length of visits, page views, and website navigation paths, as well as information about the timing, frequency, and pattern of your service use. We use tools such as Google Analytics or Hotjar. The purpose is to analyse website use and improve our services. The legal basis for this processing is consent or our legitimate interests (monitoring and improving our website and services).

3.3 Enquiry Data: We may process information you provide when making an enquiry (“enquiry data”), such as your name, email address, and any supporting details. We use this data to contact you by phone or email to discuss our legal services. The legal basis for this processing is consent.

3.4 Client Data: We may process information related to the progress of your legal case via our secure client portal (“client data”). This may include your contact details, case details, and information about your contract with us. The legal basis for processing this data is the performance of a contract between you and us and/or our legitimate interests in properly administering our business. We keep your information confidential and only disclose it to third parties with your authorisation or as required by law. If we need to involve other professional service providers at your request, we will obtain your permission before sharing relevant information.

3.5 Job Application Data: If you apply for a role at HM & Co. Solicitors, we may process your personal information (“job application data”). This includes your full name, email and postal address, phone number, and other relevant details from your CV or application form. We may also use publicly available information from social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook) to enhance and personalise your recruitment experience. Your personal information is used solely for recruitment purposes, and we may consider you for future vacancies. If you would prefer not to be contacted about future opportunities, please let our recruitment team know at info@hmsolicitorsltd.com. We may use third-party providers for certain recruitment tasks, ensuring they handle your data in accordance with data protection laws.

3.6 Correspondence Data: We may process information in communications sent to us at info@hmsolicitorsltd.com (“correspondence data”). This includes the content of your communication and any associated metadata. Such data may be used for communicating with you and for record-keeping. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the proper administration of our website, our business, and communication with users.

3.7 Call Data: We may process “call data,” which may include IP addresses, geo-location data, telephone numbers, and voice recordings obtained through a third-party provider (e.g., Mediahawk) to improve our digital marketing efforts. This helps us identify which sources effectively help visitors find our website and contact us. The legal basis is our legitimate interests in understanding and improving user engagement.

3.8 We may also process any of your personal data where necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject, or to protect your vital interests or the vital interests of another natural person.

3.9 Please do not provide us with another person’s personal data unless we specifically request it.

4.0 Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

4.1 We may disclose your personal data to members of our firm as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy.

4.2 We may disclose your personal data to our insurers and/or professional advisers when necessary for obtaining insurance coverage, managing risks, obtaining professional advice, or handling legal disputes.

4.3 Additionally, we may disclose your personal data where required by law or to protect your vital interests or those of another person.

5.0 International Transfers of Your Personal Data

5.1 If we need to transfer your personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we will provide relevant information and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

5.2 HM & Co. Solicitors stores all client data within England and Wales.

5.3 Personal data submitted for publication on our website may be accessible worldwide. We cannot prevent the use or misuse of such data by others.

6.0 Retaining and Deleting Personal Data

6.1 Our data retention policies are designed to ensure we comply with our legal obligations regarding the retention and deletion of personal data.

6.2

• Site Usage Data: Cookies and related data are retained for up to 90 days, refreshed upon each visit.
• Enquiry Data: Retained for up to 18 months if no case is taken on, then deleted.
• Call Data: Recordings held for a minimum of 6 years for training and quality control.
• Client Data & Correspondence Data: Generally retained for six years after the date of the final bill. At your request, we will return any of your documents and we will not destroy any documents you ask us to keep in safe custody.
• Job Application Data: Held for 24 months after an unsuccessful application. During this time, we may contact you about potential future vacancies. If you prefer not to be contacted, let us know at info@hmsolicitorsltd.com.

7.0 Your Options and Consent

7.1 You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. We will require proof of identity (e.g., a certified copy of your passport and a utility bill showing your current address).

7.2 We may withhold personal information to the extent permitted by law.

7.3 You may instruct us at any time not to process your personal information for marketing purposes.

7.4 In practice, you can either give express consent for marketing at the outset or opt out at any time.

8.0 Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have the following rights:
(a) The right to access your personal data
(b) The right to rectification (correcting inaccurate data)
(c) The right to erasure (in certain circumstances)
(d) The right to restrict processing (in certain circumstances)
(e) The right to object to processing (in certain circumstances)
(f) The right to data portability (in certain circumstances)
(g) The right to complain to a supervisory authority (e.g., the ICO)
(h) The right to withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@hmsolicitorsltd.com.

9.0 How to Make a Complaint

We hope you are satisfied with our service. If you have concerns, please contact us (see “Our Details” below). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office at https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/.

10.0 About Cookies

Cookies are small data files stored by your browser. For more information on managing or deleting cookies, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

11.0 Cookies That We Use

We use cookies for:

• Authentication
• Status
• Personalisation
• Security
• Advertising
• Analysis
• Storing cookie consent preferences

We use Google Analytics to understand website usage. Google’s privacy policy is available at: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.

12.0 Managing Cookies

Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. For instructions, refer to your browser’s help pages. Blocking cookies may affect your site experience.

13.0 Security

We take precautions to protect your information. If you have questions about security measures, contact us at info@hmsolicitorsltd.com.

14.0 Links

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. HM & Co. Solicitors is not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to read their privacy statements.

15.0 Amendments

We may update this policy periodically. Significant changes will be notified via email or on our website. The policy is dated [Insert Date].

16.0 Our Details

HM & Co. Solicitors is a Limited Liability Partnership authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority [Insert SRA Number if applicable]. We are registered in England and Wales under [Insert Company Number if applicable].

Address: 186 Lower Road, Surrey Quays, London SE16 2UN
Telephone: 02071128180
Website: www.hmsolicitorsltd.com
Email: info@hmsolicitorsltd.com

You can contact us by post, using the address above, via our website contact form, by telephone on 02071128180, or by email at info@hmsolicitorsltd.com.

17.0 Alternative Formats

If you would find it helpful to receive this notice in another format (e.g., another language, audio, braille), please contact us at info@hmsolicitorsltd.com.