Privacy Policy

PRIVACY NOTICE

Privacy Notice

SBL Solicitors is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy. This notice explains how we collect, use and protect your personal data when you contact us, instruct us, or use our website.

Who we are

SBL Solicitors is the data controller for the purposes of data protection law.

Address: Suite 9, The Saturn Centre, Challenge Way, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

Telephone: 01254 658 123

Email: [email protected]

We are responsible for determining how your personal data is used and ensuring it is handled lawfully.

The personal data we collect

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

Basic personal information

name, address and contact details
date of birth
identification documents

Case-related information

details relating to your claim or enquiry
correspondence and communications
information about your circumstances

Special category data (including medical data)

Given the nature of our work, we may process sensitive personal data, including:

medical records
information about injuries and health conditions
reports from medical experts

Financial information

bank details (where required for payments)
information relevant to funding your claim

How we collect your data

We collect data:

directly from you when you contact us or instruct us
from third parties such as:

medical professionals
insurers
experts
other legal representatives

from publicly available sources where relevant

How we use your data

We use your personal data to:

assess and respond to your enquiry
provide legal advice and representation
investigate and pursue your claim
communicate with you and relevant third parties
comply with legal and regulatory obligations

Lawful basis for processing

Contract

To provide legal services to you.

Legitimate interests

To manage our business and provide appropriate legal services.

Legal obligation

To comply with regulatory requirements, including those imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Special category data

Where we process medical or other sensitive data, this is done:

for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; and/or
with your explicit consent where required

Who we share your data with

We may share your data with:

medical experts and healthcare providers
barristers and legal counsel
courts and tribunals
insurers and opposing parties
expert witnesses
regulatory bodies

We only share your data where necessary for your case or where required by law.

International transfers

We do not routinely transfer personal data outside the UK. If this becomes necessary, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with data protection law.

How long we keep your data

We retain your data only for as long as necessary. Typically:

active case files are retained for the duration of the matter
closed files are retained for a minimum period in line with regulatory requirements (usually at least 6 years, often longer for medical negligence cases)

Your rights

You have the right to:

access your personal data
request correction of inaccurate data
request erasure (in certain circumstances)
restrict processing
object to processing
request data portability

These rights are not absolute and may be subject to legal and regulatory obligations.

Data security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data. This includes:

secure storage systems
restricted access to files
confidentiality obligations on staff and third parties

Complaints

If you are concerned about how your data is handled, please contact us in the first instance. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office:

Website: www.ico.org.uk

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Changes to this notice

We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.