Privacy Policy
The Personal Information Protection Act ("the Act") regulates the way private sector organizations within British Columbia collect, use, keep, secure and disclose personal information. "Personal Information" means all information about an identifiable individual. We recognize the importance of privacy and recognize the sensitivity of personal information received by us in the course of our legal practice.
We recognize our professional obligation to maintain the confidentiality of our clients' information, and recognize our obligations concerning the personal information of all individuals that we collect, use or disclose in our practice. This policy has been developed with those obligations in mind.
Our Need for Personal Information
In order to be able to give legal advice to our clients, we need access to all relevant facts and information that relate to our retainer and to the representation of our clients. This information will necessarily include personal information about our clients and about individuals other than our clients.
Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
Where practical, we endeavour to collect personal information directly from the person to whom the information pertains. When necessary, we will collect personal information from other sources.
By submitting a contact form, emailing any address using the @ataclaw.ca domain, or retaining this firm for legal advice or representation, an individual consents to our necessary collection, use or disclosure of the individual's personal information in order to properly advise and represent the individual.
It is our policy to collect personal information about individuals other than our clients in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The Act deems that an individual has consented to our collection, use or disclosure of personal information about that individual if, at the time the consent is deemed to be given, the purpose would be considered obvious to a reasonable person. In such circumstances, we will collect, use or disclose personal information without obtaining written or verbal consent.
The Act also permits us to collect, use or disclose personal information without the individual's consent in certain circumstances, including but not limited to:
- where the collection, use or disclosure is clearly in the individual's interests and consent cannot be obtained in a timely manner;
- where obtaining consent would compromise the availability or accuracy of information required for an investigation or proceeding;
- where disclosure with consent would compromise an investigation or proceeding;
- where the personal information is publicly available from a prescribed source;
- where collection, use or disclosure is required or authorized by law.
Whenever we collect, use or disclose personal information, we make reasonable efforts to ensure that it is accurate and complete.
Security of Personal Information
We recognize our professional and legal obligations to protect the confidential information of our clients. We also recognize our legal obligations to safeguard the personal information we collect during the course of our legal practice.
We have implemented safeguards to protect personal information against unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification, disposal or destruction.
By utilizing this website or our services, you consent to the storage of your personal information on servers that may be located outside Canada.
Requests for Access to Personal Information
The Act permits individuals to submit written requests for:
- their personal information under our custody or control;
- information about how their personal information has been and is being used;
- the names of individuals and organizations to whom their personal information has been disclosed.
We will respond within the time permitted by the Act and make reasonable efforts to assist applicants as accurately and completely as possible. Requests may be subject to fees and disbursements permitted by law.
Access to personal information is not absolute. The Act requires that we must not disclose personal information where:
- disclosure could reasonably threaten the safety or physical or mental health of another individual;
- disclosure could reasonably cause immediate or grave harm to the individual making the request;
- disclosure would reveal personal information about another individual;
- disclosure would reveal the identity of an individual who provided personal information about another individual without that person's consent.
The Act also provides that we are not required to disclose personal information where:
- the information is protected by solicitor-client privilege;
- disclosure would reveal confidential commercial information that could reasonably harm an organization's competitive position;
- the information was collected without consent for an investigation that remains ongoing;
- the information was collected or created by a mediator or arbitrator acting under a collective agreement, legislation or court appointment.
Requests for Correction of Personal Information
Individuals may submit written requests to correct errors or omissions in their personal information held by us.
We will:
- correct the information and, where appropriate, notify organizations to whom the incorrect information was disclosed; or
- decline to make the correction and annotate the record indicating that a correction was requested but not made.
Contact Us
If you have questions regarding ATAC LAW's privacy practices, our use of cloud storage, or any other privacy-related matter, please contact our Chief Privacy Officer, Dan H. Griffith.