Privacy Policy

Ashlings Legal Ltd ("Ashlings Legal", "we", "our" or "us") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We understand the importance of safeguarding your personal information and are committed to processing all personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation ("UK GDPR"), the Data Protection Act 2018, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and our professional obligations as a firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority ("SRA").

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect personal information when:

• •You visit our website;
• •You contact us by telephone, email or through our website;
• •You become a client or prospective client;
• •You engage with our services;
• •You apply for employment or consultancy opportunities;
• •You interact with us for any other lawful purpose.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully.

Ashlings Legal Ltd is a law firm providing legal services to businesses and individuals.

Data Controller: Ashlings Legal Ltd. Registered Office: Office 220, Spaces, 125 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BY.

info@ashlingslegal.com

Ashlings Legal is responsible for determining how and why your personal information is processed. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise any of your data protection rights, please contact us using the details above.

The personal information we collect will depend on how you interact with us.

Information you provide directly

This may include:

• •Name
• •Postal address
• •Email address
• •Telephone number
• •Date of birth
• •Employer details
• •Job title
• •Financial information
• •Identification documents
• •Information relating to legal matters you instruct us on
• •Correspondence and communications with us

Special Category Data

As part of providing legal services, we may process sensitive personal data, including:

• •Health information
• •Racial or ethnic origin
• •Religious beliefs
• •Trade union membership
• •Sexual orientation
• •Criminal offence information (where relevant)

We only process such information where a lawful basis applies and where it is necessary for the provision of legal services.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may collect:

• •IP address
• •Browser type and version
• •Device information
• •Operating system
• •Website usage information
• •Referring website information
• •Cookie and analytics data

This information helps us improve website functionality, security and client experience.

We may collect information:

• •Directly from you;
• •Through our website contact forms;
• •During consultations and instructions;
• •Through email correspondence;
• •Through third-party identity verification providers;
• •From publicly available sources;
• •From regulatory and professional databases;
• •Through website analytics and cookies.

We use personal data for the following purposes:

Providing Legal Services

• •Opening and managing client files;
• •Delivering legal advice;
• •Managing transactions and legal matters;
• •Communicating with you regarding your instructions.

Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

• •Client due diligence (CDD);
• •Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks;
• •Sanctions screening;
• •Conflict of interest checks;
• •Fraud prevention;
• •Regulatory reporting obligations.

Solicitors are required to undertake these checks under applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

Business Operations

• •Accounting and billing;
• •Risk management;
• •Complaints handling;
• •Quality assurance;
• •File audits;
• •Professional indemnity and compliance management.

Marketing

Where legally permitted, we may use your contact details to send information about legal updates, events or services that may be of interest to you. You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.

Recruitment

Where you apply to work with us, we may process information relating to your application, qualifications and employment history.

We process personal data under one or more of the following legal bases:

• •Performance of a contract;
• •Compliance with legal obligations;
• •Legitimate interests;
• •Consent (where required);
• •Establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims;
• •Public-interest legal purposes where applicable.

Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

As a regulated law firm, we are legally required to verify the identity of clients and, where applicable, beneficial owners and associated individuals.

This may involve:

• •Identity verification;
• •Proof of address checks;
• •Source of funds enquiries;
• •Source of wealth enquiries;
• •Politically Exposed Person (PEP) screening;
• •Sanctions checks.

Failure to provide requested information may prevent us from acting for you or continuing to provide legal services.

We will only disclose personal information where necessary and lawful. Recipients may include:

• •Courts and tribunals;
• •Government departments;
• •HM Revenue & Customs;
• •The Solicitors Regulation Authority;
• •Law enforcement agencies;
• •Barristers and expert witnesses;
• •Professional advisers;
• •Banks and financial institutions;
• •Identity verification providers;
• •IT service providers;
• •Insurers;
• •External consultants supporting our operations.

We do not sell personal information.

Generally, personal data is stored and processed within the United Kingdom.

Where data is transferred outside the UK, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.

We take data security seriously and implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:

• •Unauthorised access;
• •Accidental loss;
• •Destruction;
• •Disclosure;
• •Alteration;
• •Cybersecurity threats.

Access to personal information is restricted to those who have a legitimate business need to know.

Ashlings Legal may utilise approved technology solutions, including artificial intelligence tools, to support legal research, drafting, document review, workflow management and operational efficiency.

Where such tools are used:

• •Appropriate human oversight is maintained;
• •Qualified legal professionals review outputs;
• •Client confidentiality obligations are preserved;
• •Data protection requirements are adhered to.

Further details are available within our separate Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy.

AI Use Policy

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to:

• •Provide legal services;
• •Comply with regulatory obligations;
• •Meet legal and professional requirements;
• •Defend legal claims;
• •Maintain business records.

Retention periods vary depending upon the type of matter and applicable legal requirements. When information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted or anonymised.

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

• •Access your personal information;
• •Request correction of inaccurate information;
• •Request deletion of personal information;
• •Restrict processing;
• •Object to processing;
• •Request data portability;
• •Withdraw consent;
• •Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us.

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• •Operate website functionality;
• •Improve user experience;
• •Monitor website performance;
• •Analyse visitor behaviour.

Some cookies are strictly necessary for website functionality. Others help us understand how users interact with our website and services.

Further information can be found in our separate Cookie Policy.

Cookie Policy

Our website may contain links to external websites.

Once you leave our website, we are not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party website and encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.

You have the right to request what data we have stored about you. If such a request is made and we have valid ID to prove you are the person the data requested is for, we will provide all data we have on you in an open format and free of charge. We will provide this within 30 days of receiving valid ID.

Although most changes are likely to be minor, Ashlings Legal may change its Privacy Policy from time to time, and in our sole discretion. We encourage visitors to frequently check this page for any changes. Your continued use of this site after any change in this Privacy Policy will constitute your acceptance of such change.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal, regulatory or business changes. The latest version will always be available on our website and the revision date will be updated accordingly.

If you have concerns regarding how we process your personal data, please contact us in the first instance.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

ico.org.uk

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how Ashlings Legal processes personal information, please contact:

Ashlings Legal Ltd

info@ashlingslegal.com

Ashlings Legal LTD, Office 220, Spaces, 125 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BY