We are committed to protecting our clients’ privacy and handling personal information responsibly and securely.

At the same time, legal practice, conveyancing and estate administration services require us to collect, verify, use and disclose certain personal information so we can properly provide legal services and comply with our professional and regulatory obligations.

These processes are an important part of protecting clients, maintaining the integrity of legal transactions, reducing fraud risk and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and participation rules.

As part of providing legal services, particularly in relation to conveyancing, estate planning and estate administration matters, we are required to:

• verify client identity;

• conduct verification of identity procedures;

• comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations;

• comply with trust accounting obligations;

• comply with electronic conveyancing requirements and participation rules; and

• provide information required for property transactions, duties assessments, settlements, lodgements and related legal processes.

Accordingly, personal information will be collected, used and disclosed where necessary to:

• conduct identity verification and electronic verification processes;

• undertake AML/CTF screening, including politically exposed person (PEP), sanctions and adverse media searches;

• verify authority, ownership, control and transactional information;

• complete electronic conveyancing transactions and settlements;

• communicate with financial institutions, government agencies, land registries, revenue authorities and transaction participants; and

• comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations.

This information may be disclosed to third-party service providers and regulatory bodies including:

• Australia Post;

• Infotrack;

• PEXA;

• financial institutions;

• land registries;

• revenue authorities;

• government agencies;

• electronic conveyancing operators; and

• other service providers involved in the transaction or compliance process.

By engaging the Firm, clients acknowledge that these processes are necessary for the provision of legal services and compliance with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.