Norrie Waite & Slater Solicitors - About Us
Norrie Waite & Slater Solicitors have been established over 50 years.
The partners are:
- Jonathan F.Darwin
- David P.Staniforth
- Karen Moxon Smith
- Nick Elliott
- Sean Bennett
Regulatory Information
This page sets out all the policies of our firm as well as for usage of this website. Please click on a link below to jump to that section.
- Website usage disclaimer
- Cookies policy
- Privacy policy
- Complaints Procedure
- Equality and diversity policy (pdf download)
Disclaimer
The content of this website is for informational purposes only. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice. If you require specific legal advice please contact us.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Norrie Waite & Slater and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Norrie Waite & Slater. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, Norrie Waite & Slater takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
Cookies
A cookie is an alphanumeric identifier which we transfer to your hard drive through your web browser when you visit our website. It enables our own system to recognise you when you visit our website again and improve our service to you. Cookies may also be used to compile aggregate information about areas of our website that are visited most frequently. This traffic information can be used to enhance the content of our website and make your use of it easier.
Our website only uses one type of cookie, these cookies collect information about how visitors use our web site, for instance which pages visitors go to most often, and if they get error messages from web pages. These cookies don't collect information that identifies a visitor although they may collect the IP address of the device used to access the site. All information these cookies collect is anonymous and is only used to improve how our website works, and your user experience.
By using our website (through any device) you agree that this Cookies Policy applies to that use in addition to any other terms and conditions which may apply.
Privacy Policy
We take your privacy very seriously. Please read this privacy policy carefully as it contains important information on who we are and how and why we collect, store, use and share your personal data. It also explains your rights in relation to your personal data and how to contact us or supervisory authorities in the event you have a complaint.
When we use your personal data we are regulated under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which applies across the European Union (including in the United Kingdom) and we are responsible as ‘controller’ of that personal data for the purposes of the GDPR. Our use of your personal data is subject to your instructions, the GDPR, other relevant UK and EU legislation and our professional duty of confidentiality.
Key terms
It would be helpful to start by explaining some key terms used in this policy:
We, us, our |
NORRIE WAITE AND SLATER SOLICITORS |
Our data protection officer |
Jon Darwin |
Personal data |
Any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual |
Special category personal data |
Personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs or trade union membership |
Personal data we collect about you
The table below sets out the personal data we will or may collect in the course of advising and/or acting for you.
Personal data we will collect |
Personal data we may collect depending on why you have instructed us |
Your name, address and telephone number Information to enable us to check and verify your identity, eg your date of birth or passport details Electronic contact details, eg your email address and mobile phone number Information relating to the matter in which you are seeking our advice or representation Your financial details so far as relevant to your instructions, eg the source of your funds if you are instructing on a purchase transaction Information about your use of our IT, communication and other systems, and other monitoring information, eg if using our secure online client portal |
Your National Insurance and tax details Your bank and/or building society details Details of your professional online presence, eg LinkedIn profile Details of your spouse/partner and dependants or other family members, eg if you instruct us on a family matter or a will Your employment status and details including salary and benefits, eg if you instruct us on matter related to your employment or in which your employment status or income is relevant Details of your pension arrangements, eg if you instruct us on a pension matter or in relation to financial arrangements following breakdown of a relationship Your employment records including, where relevant, records relating to sickness and attendance, performance, disciplinary, conduct and grievances (including relevant special category personal data), eg if you instruct us on matter related to your employment or in which your employment records are relevant Your racial or ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, religious or similar beliefs, eg if you instruct us on discrimination claim Your trade union membership, eg if you instruct us on discrimination claim or your matter is funded by a trade union Personal identifying information, such as your hair or eye colour or your parents’ names, eg if you instruct us to incorporate a company for you Your medical records, eg if we are acting for you in a personal injury claim |
This personal data is required to enable us to provide our service to you. If you do not provide personal data we ask for, it may delay or prevent us from providing services to you.
How your personal data is collected
We collect most of this information from you, direct or via our secure online client portal. However, we may also collect information:
- from publicly accessible sources, eg Companies House or HM Land Registry;
- directly from a third party, eg:
- sanctions screening providers;
- credit reference agencies;
- client due diligence providers;
- from a third party with your consent, eg:
- your bank or building society, another financial institution or advisor;
- consultants and other professionals we may engage in relation to your matter;
- your employer and/or trade union, professional body or pension administrators;
- your doctors, medical and occupational health professionals;
- via our website - we use cookies on our website (for more information on cookies, please see our www.norriewaite.co.uk/regulatory-policies.html cookies policy)
- via our information technology (IT) systems, eg:
- case management, document management and time recording systems;
- automated monitoring of our websites and other technical systems, such as our computer networks and connections, CCTV and access control systems, communications systems, email and instant messaging systems;
How and why we use your personal data
Under data protection law, we can only use your personal data if we have a proper reason for doing so, eg:
- to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations;
- for the performance of our contract with you or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract;
- for our legitimate interests or those of a third party; or
- where you have given consent.
A legitimate interest is when we have a business or commercial reason to use your information, so long as this is not overridden by your own rights and interests.
The table below explains what we use (process) your personal data for and our reasons for doing so:
What we use your personal data for |
Our reasons |
To provide legal services to you |
For the performance of our contract with you or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract |
Conducting checks to identify our clients and verify their identity |
To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations |
Gathering and providing information required by or relating to audits, enquiries or investigations by regulatory bodies |
To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations |
Ensuring business policies are adhered to, eg policies covering security and internet use |
For our legitimate interests or those of a third party, ie to make sure we are following our own internal procedures so we can deliver the best service to you |
Operational reasons, such as improving efficiency, training and quality control |
For our legitimate interests or those of a third party, ie to be as efficient as we can so we can delivery the best service for you at the best price |
Ensuring the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information |
For our legitimate interests or those of a third party, ie to protect our intellectual property and other commercially valuable information |
Statistical analysis to help us manage our practice, eg in relation to our financial performance, client base, work type or other efficiency measures |
For our legitimate interests or those of a third party, ie to be as efficient as we can so we can delivery the best service for you at the best price |
Preventing unauthorised access and modifications to systems |
For our legitimate interests or those of a third party, ie to prevent and detect criminal activity that could be damaging for us and for you |
Updating and enhancing client records |
For the performance of our contract with you or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract |
Statutory returns |
To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations |
Ensuring safe working practices, staff administration and assessments |
To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations |
Marketing our services and those of selected third parties to: - existing and former clients; |
For our legitimate interests or those of a third party, ie to promote our business to existing and former clients |
External audits and quality checks, eg for Lexcel, ISO or Investors in People accreditation and the audit of our accounts |
For our legitimate interests or a those of a third party, ie to maintain our accreditations so we can demonstrate we operate at the highest standards |
The above table does not apply to special category personal data, which we will only process with your explicit consent.
Promotional communications
We may use your personal data to send you updates (by email, text message, telephone or post) about legal developments that might be of interest to you and/or information about our services, including exclusive offers, promotions or new servicesor products.
We have a legitimate interest in processing your personal data for promotional purposes (see above ‘How and why we use your personal data’). This means we do not usually need your consent to send you promotional communications. However, where consent is needed, we will ask for this consent separately and clearly.
We will always treat your personal data with the utmost respect and never sell OR share it with other organisations outside of Norrie Waite and Slater for marketing purposes.
You have the right to opt out of receiving promotional communications from us by
contacting us by email to dataprotection@norrie-waite.com
We may ask you to confirm or update your marketing preferences if you instruct us to provide further services in the future, or if there are changes in the law, regulation, or the structure of our business.
Who we share your personal data with
We routinely share personal data with:
- professional advisers who we instruct on your behalf or refer you to, eg barristers, medical professionals, accountants, tax advisors or other experts;
- other third parties where necessary to carry out your instructions eg your mortgage provider or HM Land Registry in the case of a property transaction or Companies House;
- our insurers and brokers;
- external auditors, eg in relation to ISO or Lexcel accreditation and the audit of our accounts;
- our banks;
- external service suppliers, representatives and agents that we use to make our business more efficient, eg typing services, marketing agencies, document collation or analysis suppliers;
We only allow our service providers to handle your personal data if we are satisfied they take appropriate measures to protect your personal data. We also impose contractual obligations on service providers relating to ensure they can only use your personal data to provide services to us and to you.
We may disclose and exchange information with law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations.
We may also need to share some personal data with other parties, such as potential buyers of some or all of our business or during a re-structuring. Usually, information will be anonymised but this may not always be possible. The recipient of the information will be bound by confidentiality obligations.
We will not share your personal data with any other third party.
Where your personal data is held
Information may be held at our offices and those of our third party agencies, service providers, representatives and agents as described above (see ‘Who we share your personal data with’).
Some of these third parties may be based outside the European Economic Area. For more information, including on how we safeguard your personal data when this occurs, see below: ‘Transferring your personal data out of the EEA’.
How long your personal data will be kept
We will keep your personal data after we have finished advising or acting for you. We will do so for one of these reasons:
- to respond to any questions, complaints or claims made by you or on your behalf;
- to show that we treated you fairly;
- to keep records required by law.
We will not retain your data for longer than necessary for the purposes set out in this policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data.
When it is no longer necessary to retain your personal data, we will delete or anonymise it.
Transferring your personal data out of the EEA
To deliver services to you, it is sometimes necessary for us to share your personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), eg:
- with your and our service providers located outside the EEA;
- if you are based outside the EEA;
- where there is an international dimension to the matter in which we are advising you.
These transfers are subject to special rules under European and UK data protection law.
The following countries to which we may transfer personal data have been assessed by the European Commission as providing an adequate level of protection for personal data: Argentina, Canada - private organisations only, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Switzerland, Israel, Faroe Islands, New Zealand, Uruguay
Except for the countries listed above, non-EEA countries do not have the same data protection laws as the United Kingdom and EEA. We will, however, ensure the transfer complies with data protection law and all personal data will be secure. Our standard practice is to use standard data protection contract clauses which have been approved by the European Commission.
If you would like further information please contact, our Data Protection Officer (see ‘How to contact us’ below).
Your rights
You have the following rights, which you can exercise free of charge:
Access |
The right to be provided with a copy of your personal data (the right of access) |
Rectification |
The right to require us to correct any mistakes in your personal data |
To be forgotten |
The right to require us to delete your personal data- in certain situations |
Restriction of processing |
The right to require us to restrict processing of your personal data- in certain circumstances, eg if you contest the accuracy of the data |
Data portability |
The right to receive the personal data you provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format and/or transmit that data to a third party- in certain situations |
To object |
The right to object: |
Not to be subject to automated individual decision-making |
The right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing (including profiling) that produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you |
For further information on each of those rights, including the circumstances in which they apply, please contact us or see the Guidance from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on individuals’ rights under the General Data Protection Regulation.
If you would like to exercise any of those rights, please:
complete a data subject request form- available on our website at https://www.norriewaite.co.uk/data-subject-access-request-form.html
- email, call or write to us, our Data Protection Officer - see below: ‘How to contact us’; and
- let us have enough information to identify you - your full name, address and client or matter reference number;
- let us have proof of your identity and address (a copy of your driving licence or passport and a recent utility or credit card bill); and
- let us know what right you want to exercise and the information to which your request relates.
Keeping your personal data secure
We have appropriate security measures to prevent personal data from being accidentally lost, or used or accessed unlawfully. We limit access to your personal data to those who have a genuine business need to access it. Those processing your information will do so only in an authorised manner and are subject to a duty of confidentiality.
We also have procedures in place to deal with any suspected data security breach. We will notify you and any applicable regulator of a suspected data security breach where we are legally required to do so.
If you want detailed information from Get Safe Online on how to protect your information and your computers and devices against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other online problems, please visit www.getsafeonline.org. Get Safe Online is supported by HM Government and leading businesses.
How to complain
We hope that we or our Data Protection Officer can resolve any query or concern you may raise about our use of your information.
The General Data Protection Regulation also gives you right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the European Union (or European Economic Area) state where you work, normally live or where any alleged infringement of data protection laws occurred. The supervisory authority in the UK is the Information Commissioner who may be contacted at https://ico.org.uk/concerns or telephone: 0303 123 1113
Changes to this privacy policy
This privacy policy was published in March 2018 and last updated March 2018
We may change this privacy policy from time to time, when we do we will inform you via our website and written correspondence.
How to contact us
Please contact usand/or our Data Protection Officer by post, email or telephone if you have any questions about this privacy policy or the information we hold about you.
Our contact details are shown below:
Our contact details |
|
Norrie Waite & Slater Tel: 0114 2766 166 |
Jon Darwin |
Our Complaints Handling Procedure
As required by the Law Society we have a procedure for dealing with complaints from clients so that we can resolve as many as possible within the firm, prevent complaints to the Legal Ombudsman and the Solicitors Regulatory Authority and preserve the goodwill of the client even if things have gone wrong.
- If you wish to make a complaint you are requested to make any such complaint, in the first instance, to the Head of Department the name of whom will be found on the Terms of Business letter originally sent to you. You may also telephone the office to find out the name of the Head of Department.
- The Head of Department will need full details of the complaint in writing. We ask for this to be in writing so that there is no confusion as to what is being investigated and so that you will know that we have not misunderstood or failed to hear the details of a complaint which you are making.
- The Head of Department will acknowledge your complaint and will investigate it by speaking with the fee earner (and any other person you mention) about the complaint and will thoroughly read the existing file.
- You may expect a full response from the Head of Department as soon as practicable but within 21 days. If for any reason that does not prove to be possible then you will be notified.
- If you are not satisfied with the response of the Head of Department or if your complaint is against a Head of Department then you are entitled to refer the matter to, Sean Bennett. He will deal with the matter procedurally in the same fashion as the Head of Department would have done and again you can expect a response as soon as practicable or within 21 days.
- You will not be charged for anytime which is spent investigating your complaint.
- If you are not happy with the response from the Complaints Handler you are entitled to pursue the matter further with the Legal Ombudsman whose contact details are PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ – Tel: 0300 555 0333.
- Normally, you will need to bring complaints to the legal ombudsman within six months of receiving the final response from us about your complaint or within six years of the act or omission about which you are complaining occurring (or if outside of this period, within three years of when you should reasonably have been aware of it).
S Bennett
Partner and Complaints Handler
