Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

JDS Solicitors Ltd (“the firm”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a law firm authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 653449). We take the privacy of your personal data very seriously and comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

• Identity data: Full name, date of birth, nationality.
• Contact data: Address, email address, telephone number.
• Financial data: Bank details, payment information (processed securely).
• Matter data: Information you provide in connection with your legal matter.
• Special category data: Where required by the nature of your legal matter (e.g., health, criminal records). We only process this with your explicit consent or where legally required.
• Website data: IP address, browser type, pages visited (via anonymous cookies).

3. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

• To provide legal services and advice under our contract with you.
• To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations (including SRA, HMRC, and anti-money laundering requirements).
• To contact you about your matter and respond to enquiries.
• To process payments for our services.
• For our legitimate interests in running and improving our business.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases:

• Contract: Processing necessary to carry out our legal services for you.
• Legal obligation: Where we must comply with law (e.g., AML/KYC checks).
• Legitimate interests: For internal administrative purposes and improving our services.
• Consent: Where you have given us specific consent (e.g., marketing communications).

5. Sharing Your Data

We do not sell your personal data. We may share it with:

• Courts, tribunals, and other parties as required by your legal matter.
• Barristers, expert witnesses, or other legal professionals involved in your case.
• HMRC, the SRA, or other regulators as legally required.
• Our IT and software service providers who process data on our behalf under strict data processing agreements.

6. Data Retention

We retain client files for a minimum of 6 years after a matter closes, in line with SRA guidance and the Limitation Act 1980. Some data (e.g., financial or property records) may be retained longer where required by law. After the retention period, data is securely destroyed.

7. Cookies

Our website uses essential cookies (required for the site to function) and, with your consent, analytical cookies to understand how visitors use the site. You can manage your cookie preferences via the consent banner shown on your first visit. For more detail, see our cookie notice.

8. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification — ask us to correct inaccurate data.
• Erasure — ask us to delete your data (subject to legal obligations).
• Restriction — ask us to limit how we use your data.
• Portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Object — object to processing based on legitimate interests.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at admin@jdssolicitors.com or write to us at our registered office address.

9. Complaints

If you believe we have not handled your personal data correctly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact our responsible officer: