1. Introduction and application
   • We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information.
   • This privacy policy applies to the personal information which we collect in various ways.
   • Where applicable, this data privacy policy applies in addition to any other agreement that you enter into with us, including the letter of engagement that you agree to when you become our client.
   • For any comments or queries relating to this policy, please contact Annemarie Joubert at annemarie@pjlegal.co.za.

 

2. Definitions
   • Where we refer to “personal information”, it means “personal information” as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013 (as amended) (“POPI”).
   • Terms which are used in this privacy policy and which are defined in POPI, have the same meaning as given in POPI.
   • “Website” means our website, currently located at https://wwww.pjlegal.co.za

 

3. Purpose of this privacy policy

The purpose of this privacy policy is to explain how we process your personal information.

 

4. Processing Personal Information
   • We collect and process various personal information from you or about you, including the following:
     • personal details, such as your name, email address or telephone number;
     • information that is relevant to the provision of our services and information that you provide to us as part of us providing services to you;
     • special or sensitive personal information, a defined in POPI;
     • billing information, such as relevant payment information and VAT registration number; and
     • relevant information as required by applicable laws, which includes any additional information that the law requires from us to verify your identity including in terms of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, No. 38 of 2001 (as amended) (“FICA”).
   • We collect personal information in the following ways:
     • Directly from you, for example when you provide us with your information as part of our on-boarding process when you become a client (including to enable us to comply with FICA) and when you instruct us to assist you with your legal matter.
     • Through social media, for example when you use our website.
     • From third parties. In limited instances, we collect personal information from third parties. We will only collect personal information this way where you have given permission (whether express or implied) for us to do so, or if such information is publicly available or for legitimate business purposes.
     • Through the use of cookies, which will mainly be used to identify visitors that return to our website. You can prevent us from doing this through a setting on your browser. Cookies only store information from your browser and cannot access data on your computer.
   • We may use your personal information for any legitimate business purposes relating to the provision of our services and/or business activities. Some of the purposes for which we use your personal information include:
     • responding to your queries;
     • onboarding you as a client and verifying your identity (as required by law) which includes conducting sanctions screening against any list that we may in our sole discretion elect;
     • providing you with our services;
     • keeping any work product or documentation drafted by us or received / prepared in connection with your matter(s) as part of our internal know-how;
     • referring you to other service providers with your consent;
     • improving our website and services by analysing certain information collected, including cookies and other related information;
     • sending you information and inviting you to events;
     • for such other purposes as authorised in terms of applicable law; and/or
     • complying with regulatory or other obligations.
   • By providing us with your personal information, you agree to this privacy policy and authorise us to process such information in the manner described in this policy.

 

5. Sharing your personal information
   • We will only share your personal information for purposes of providing services to you or any other legitimate business purpose relating to our business activities, including but not limited to, the protection of our or your rights, complaints, marketing, or enforcing any agreement between us.
   • Where required for our business operations, we may share your personal information with our service providers, including IT service providers; couriers, agents, correspondent attorneys and counsel; human resources and payroll; hosting and email infrastructure. We only share information with service providers after we enter into an agreement with the service provider to regulate the way in which the personal information will be secured.
   • Where the law requires us to do so, we may also share your personal information with third party service providers, agents, contractors, employees, law enforcement agencies or business affiliates. We will only share your personal information in these instances where it is necessary for us to do so and only to the extent that your personal information is needed for such third parties to perform their services or obligations.

 

6. When you provide us with information about others
   • If you provide us with personal information about someone else, you are responsible for making sure that you comply with any obligation in terms of POPI relating to such disclosure.
   • You indemnify us against any loss, liability, damage or expense (including interest and penalties) suffered or incurred by us due to your provision to us of personal information of a third party in an unlawful manner.

 

7. Cross border transfer of personal information

We may transfer your information cross border for our legitimate business purposes, such as for cloud storage and for our billing practices. All information transfers will comply with applicable laws.

 

8. Security
   • We will take all appropriate and reasonable technical and organisational measures to ensure that your personal information is protected, as required by POPI.
   • You indemnify and hold us harmless from any loss, damages or injury that you may incur as a result of:
     • any security compromises of personal information to unauthorised persons; or
     • your acts or omissions during the provision of personal information to us.

 

9. Personal Information of minors and special personal information

We do not intentionally collect or use personal information of children (persons under the age of 18 years), unless with express consent of a parent or guardian or if the law otherwise allows or requires us to process such personal information.

 

10. Storing personal information
    • We may (including through third parties) store your personal information in hardcopy and/or electronic format, using cloud services or other technology.
    • Our third party service providers, including data storage and processing providers, may also from time to time have access to your personal information in connection with purposes for which the personal information was initially collected.

 

11. Retention of personal information

We retain personal information in accordance with the required retention periods in law or for legitimate business purposes. We may keep personal information indefinitely in a de-identified format for statistical purposes. This privacy policy also applies when we retain your personal information.

 

12. Collection of anonymous data and cookies
    • We may use standard technology to collect information about the use of our website. This technology is not able to identify individual users but allows us to collect statistics.
    • We may utilise temporary or session cookies (a cookie is a small file that is placed on your hard drive) to keep track of users’ browsing habits. This allows us to track your use of our website as well as your visits to other websites. Other websites may also use these cookies to track your browsing habits.
    • Cookies by themselves will not be used to personally identify users but we may use them to compile de-identified statistics relating to use of services offered or to provide us with feedback on the performance of our website.
    • If you do not wish cookies to be employed to customize your interaction with our website it is possible to alter the manner in which your browser handles cookies. Please note that, if this is done, certain services on our website may not be available.

 

13. Updating your personal information
    • We want to ensure that your personal information is accurate and up to date. It is your responsibility to update PJ Legal of any changes to your personal information as provided to us, including any changes to contact details including telephone number, cell phone number and email address.
    • You may ask us to correct any personal information that you think is inaccurate or request us to remove your information by sending an email to info@pjlegal.co.za.

 

14. Access to your personal information

You have the right to request us to provide you with personal information that we hold about you. You must contact us directly to do so or send an email to info@pjlegal.co.za.

15. Right to object

You may, on reasonable grounds, object to us using your personal information. If you object, we will stop using your personal information, except if the law allows or requires its use.

 

16. Marketing

We may from time to time send you information about our services, and matters which we think may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to receive such communication, please let us know by sending an email to info@pjlegal.co.za or by opting out through the link on the relevant communication.

 

17. Security breach

We will report any security breach to the Information Regulator and to the individuals or companies involved. If you want to report any concerns about our privacy practices or if you suspect any breach regarding your personal information, kindly notify us by sending an email to info@pjlegal.co.za.

 

18. Latest version

We may amend this policy from time to time. Any such amendment will come into effect when published on our website and becomes part of any agreement you have with us.

 

19. Lodging a complaint
    • If you believe we are using your personal information unlawfully, please let us know first (info@pjlegal.co.zaor 021 300 4045). You may lodge a complaint to the Information Regulator (South Africa) with the following contact details:

Website: https://www.justice.gov.za/inforeg/.

Address: JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001.

Postal address: P.O Box 31533, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017

Complaints (complete form 5)

POPI: POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za

PAIA: PAIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za

General enquiries: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za

• If you are outside of South Africa, you may contact the appropriate regulatory authority in the relevant jurisdiction.