Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Schoonraad Law is committed to protecting the personal information of our clients and other stakeholders in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). This Privacy Policy outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, sharing, and protection of personal information. By using our services or accessing our website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Data Collection Practices

2.1 Types of Information Collected
Schoonraad Law may collect the following categories of personal information:

Identification and Contact Information: Names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and identification numbers.
Financial Information: Bank details, payment information, and other financial data necessary for processing transactions.
Property and Transaction Information: Information relevant to conveyancing and property law services, such as property details, transaction records, and related documents.
Additional Personal Information: Any other personal data you choose to provide or that we may require to fulfill our legal obligations or provide our services.

2.2 Collection Methods
Personal information is collected through various methods:

Direct Collection: Information provided by clients directly, including forms filled on our website or in-person consultations.
Third-Party Sources: Information obtained from third parties such as banks, regulatory authorities, or other institutions, as required to facilitate our services.

3. Purpose of Data Processing

3.1 Explicit Objectives
We collect and process personal information for specific, lawful purposes, which include:

Facilitating property transactions and providing conveyancing services.
Conducting due diligence and verifying client information.
Fulfilling contractual obligations and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
Communicating with clients about their cases and providing updates on services.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

4.1 Consent and Other Grounds
Schoonraad Law processes personal information based on one or more of the following legal grounds:

Consent: Where consent is obtained directly from the client.
Contractual Necessity: Where processing is necessary to fulfill a contract with the client.
Legal Obligations: Where processing is required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations.
Legitimate Interests: Where processing is necessary for our legitimate interests, provided this does not infringe on clients' rights.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 Third-Party Recipients
Schoonraad Law may share personal information with third parties under the following circumstances:

Service Providers: Engaging third-party service providers for administrative, technical, or support functions.
Financial Institutions: Sharing necessary information with banks and financial institutions to facilitate property transactions.
Regulatory Bodies: Complying with requests from regulatory or government bodies as required by law.

We ensure that any third parties who receive personal data from us are bound to use such data solely for the purposes specified and are obligated to protect this data as required by law.

6. Data Subject Rights

6.1 Access and Correction
Clients have the right to access and request corrections or updates to their personal information held by Schoonraad Law. Requests for access or amendments can be made by contacting us directly.

6.2 Objection and Deletion
Clients have the right to object to the processing of their personal information or request the deletion of their data in specific circumstances, such as when the data is no longer necessary for the purposes it was collected or if consent is withdrawn. However, certain legal obligations may prevent us from complying with deletion requests in all cases.

7. Data Security Measures

7.1 Protection Protocols
Schoonraad Law has implemented technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. These include:

Encryption: Ensuring secure transmission of data through SSL encryption.
Access Controls: Restricting access to personal information to authorized personnel only.
Regular Audits: Conducting security audits and assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities.

8. Data Retention Policies

8.1 Retention Periods
Personal information is retained for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected and to comply with legal or regulatory obligations. The criteria for determining retention periods include:

Legal Requirements: Retention as required by South African law.
Business Needs: Retention as necessary for legitimate business purposes, including record-keeping, dispute resolution, and compliance with contracts.

Once personal information is no longer needed, we take steps to delete or anonymize it securely.

9. International Data Transfers

9.1 Cross-Border Data Flow
If personal information is transferred outside of South Africa, Schoonraad Law will ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the data in line with POPIA requirements.

10. Contact Information

10.1 Information Officer Details
Schoonraad Law has appointed an Information Officer to oversee compliance with this Privacy Policy and POPIA. For any questions, requests, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal information, please contact:

Information Officer
[Name]
Schoonraad Law
[Contact Email]
[Contact Phone Number]
[Office Address]

11. Changes to the Privacy Policy

Schoonraad Law reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. All updates will be posted on this website, and continued use of our services following any changes signifies acceptance of the revised policy.

This Privacy Policy is effective as of [Effective Date].