Privacy & Cookie Policy

Near Legal Associates – Effective Date: 20th November 2024

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Near Legal Associates (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our services or visit our website.

Information We Collect

1. Personal Information

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

  • Full name and title
  • Contact details (address, email, phone number)
  • Date of birth
  • National Insurance number (where required for specific applications)
  • Immigration status (where relevant)
  • Financial information (for benefit applications)
  • Employment details
  • Medical information (for relevant applications)
  • Identification documents
  • Family member details (where relevant)

2. Website Usage Information

We automatically collect:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Time zone setting
  • Browser plug-in types
  • Pages visited
  • Time spent on pages
  • Access dates and times
  • Referral sources

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

  • Provide our documentation and application services
  • Process your applications and documents
  • Communicate with you about our services
  • Send service updates and notifications
  • Improve our services
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Prevent fraud
  • Handle complaints and queries

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your information based on:

  • Contractual necessity (to provide our services)
  • Legal obligations
  • Legitimate interests
  • Your explicit consent (where required)

Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures including:

  • Encryption of digital data
  • Secure physical storage for paper documents
  • Staff training on data protection
  • Access controls and authentication
  • Regular security assessments
  • Incident response procedures

Data Retention

We retain your information for:

  • The duration of our service provision
  • Legal requirement periods
  • Up to 6 years after service completion
  • Shorter periods where specified by law

Sharing Your Information

We may share your information with:

  • Relevant government departments for applications
  • Professional advisers and consultants
  • Legal authorities when required by law
  • Service providers who assist our operations

We never:

  • Sell your personal information
  • Share data for marketing purposes
  • Transfer data outside approved processors

Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Correct inaccurate data
  • Request data deletion
  • Restrict processing
  • Data portability
  • Object to processing
  • Withdraw consent
  • Lodge complaints with supervisory authorities

Cookie Policy

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device to collect standard internet log information and visitor behavior information.

Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

  • Purpose: Website functionality
  • Duration: Session/Persistent
  • Type: First-party

Analytics Cookies

  • Purpose: Understanding visitor behavior
  • Duration: Up to 2 years
  • Type: Third-party (Google Analytics)

Preference Cookies

  • Purpose: Remember your settings
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Type: First-party

Cookie Control

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

  • Block all cookies
  • Delete existing cookies
  • Allow only essential cookies
  • Receive alerts about cookies

Third-Party Services

Our website uses:

  • Google Analytics
  • Payment processors
  • Website hosting services

Each third-party service has its own privacy policy and cookie usage.

Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect information from children under 16. Parent/guardian consent is required for processing children’s data.

International Data Transfers

If we transfer your data outside the UK/EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through:

  • Standard contractual clauses
  • Adequacy decisions
  • Data processing agreements

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Significant changes will be notified via email or website notice.

Data Protection Officer

Our Data Protection Officer can be contacted at:

  • Email: compliance@nearlegal.co.uk
  • Post: 1A Collins Yard, London, N17 9TS
  • Phone: 0800

Complaints

If you’re unhappy with how we handle your data, you can:

  1. Contact our Data Protection Officer
  2. File a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Contact Us

For privacy-related queries, contact us at:

  • Email: [Privacy Email]
  • Post: [Office Address]
  • Phone: [Contact Number]

Governing Law

This policy is governed by UK law and subject to the jurisdiction of English courts.

Last Updated: 20th November 2024