Introduction
We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy as you use the Access 2 Barristers Direct platform. This policy explains what personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, and how it will be processed by us.
Controller
Accordingly, Meridian Legal Services Limited is the data controller for the personal information we collect via this website. Our registered office is located at Suite 106 Denning House C/O Know Tax, George Street, Wolverhampton, England, WV2 4DP, and we are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office.
Independent Controllers
Furthermore, it is vital to understand the distinction between our role and that of the barrister you instruct. We act as the data controller for the initial processing of your enquiry and the administration of the platform. However, once your details are passed to a barrister for the purpose of obtaining legal advice, that barrister becomes a separate and independent data controller for your case file.
Information Collected
Consequently, we collect personal identifiers such as your name, address, email address, and telephone number to facilitate your enquiry. We also collect the circumstantial details of your legal matter, including the names of opposing parties, which are necessary to assess your needs and identify a suitable barrister.
Conflict Checks
Therefore, we process specific personal data, including your name and the names of any counter-parties, prior to any formal instruction. This pre-contractual processing is based on our legitimate interest in ensuring that the barrister can conduct mandatory conflict of interest checks as required by the Bar Standards Board Handbook.
Special Categories
Moreover, given the nature of legal services, it may be necessary to process special categories of personal data, such as health records, trade union membership, or criminal history. We process this sensitive data not merely on the basis of consent, which can be withdrawn, but on the lawful basis of Article 9(2)(f) of the UK GDPR, where processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or defence of legal claims.
Legal Basis
Substantially, our legal basis for processing your general personal data is primarily for the performance of our contract with you or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract. We also process your data to comply with our legal obligations, particularly regarding financial regulation.
FCA Compliance
Additionally, as Meridian Legal Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, we are required by law to conduct Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Client (KYC) checks. This legal obligation overrides your right to erasure, meaning we must retain identity verification documents for a minimum statutory period, typically five years from the end of our business relationship.
Data Retention
Crucially, we do not retain your case file indefinitely, but we do hold data to protect our legal position. To align with the Limitation Act 1980, we retain records of our engagement and the services provided for a period of six years, or twelve years where the transaction involved a deed, to defend against any potential professional negligence claims.
Confidentiality
As a professional advisory firm, we owe you a duty of confidentiality. Accordingly, all information you provide to us will be treated with the utmost confidence and will not be disclosed to any third party without your express permission, unless we are required to do so by law.
Data Sharing
Subsequently, we may share your personal information with third parties where it is strictly necessary for the provision of our services. This includes the barristers you have chosen to instruct, their clerks, and potentially the courts or tribunals if we are assisting with administrative filings.
Security
We have implemented appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure your data is treated securely and in accordance with this privacy policy. We limit access to your personal data to those employees, agents, and other third parties who have a business need to know.
Your Rights
You have specific rights under data protection law, including the right to access the personal data we hold about you and to request its correction if it is inaccurate. You also have the right to object to processing, though please note that this right is not absolute and may be limited where we have a compelling legal ground to continue processing, such as the defence of legal claims or regulatory compliance.
Complaints
Questions, comments, and requests regarding this privacy policy are welcomed and should be addressed to our data protection lead. If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office.
Contact
Please direct any queries to us via the contact details provided on our website.