Who we are
Fraser Lawyers is a Gold Coast law firm in Bundall, principal Blake Fraser, established in 2013. The firm acts for individuals, families and businesses across Queensland.
In this policy, "we", "us" and "our" refer to Fraser Lawyers. "You" and "your" refer to any person whose personal information we collect or hold, whether you are a current client, a prospective client, a beneficiary of an estate, a witness, an opposing party, or a website visitor.
What information we collect
The personal information we collect depends on what you ask us to do for you. Most files involve some combination of the following:
- Identification information: name, date of birth, address, photo identification, and verification of identity records as required by the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) and trust account regulations.
- Contact information: phone number, email address, postal address.
- Matter information: the facts of your matter, documents you provide, correspondence with third parties, court documents, and our notes and advice.
- Financial information: bank account details for trust account purposes, billing details, and (in property and commercial files) information about assets and liabilities.
- Sensitive information: in some matters (for example personal injury, family or criminal files), we may collect health information, criminal record information, or information about a person's affairs that is sensitive under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). We collect this only with your consent and only where it is necessary for the matter.
- Website information: when you visit our website, we collect technical information such as your IP address, browser type, the pages you visit and the time spent on the site, through standard server logs and analytics.
How we collect it
We collect personal information in the following ways:
- Directly from you: when you call, email, complete a contact form, or attend a meeting.
- From documents you provide: contracts, court documents, medical records, identification documents, financial statements.
- From third parties: with your consent, from medical providers, insurers, government agencies (Titles Queensland, ASIC, the Department of Transport and Main Roads), other lawyers, and counterparties.
- From public sources: court records, ASIC searches, land title searches, and similar public registers.
- Through our website: through forms, server logs, cookies and analytics tools.
How we use your information
We use personal information for the primary purpose for which it was collected, and for related secondary purposes you would reasonably expect. The main purposes are:
- Providing legal services to you, including investigating, advising on, and acting in your matter.
- Conducting conflict checks before opening a file.
- Issuing costs disclosures, invoices and receipts under the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld).
- Complying with our legal and regulatory obligations, including identity verification, trust account compliance, and court rules.
- Communicating with you about your matter and (where you have asked) about other relevant updates from the firm.
- Improving our services, including analysing how the website is used.
When we disclose your information
We disclose personal information only as necessary to act on your matter or as required or permitted by law. The categories we disclose to are:
- Counterparties and their lawyers: where the matter requires correspondence, exchange of documents, or court proceedings.
- Courts, tribunals and government agencies: as required by court rules, tribunal procedure, or statutory obligations.
- Experts, barristers and consultants: where their input is needed for your matter, and only with your consent.
- Insurers and brokers: where they are involved in your matter (for example in personal injury or commercial liability files).
- Service providers: limited to suppliers who help us deliver legal services, including IT and document storage providers, billing providers, and our practice management system. They are bound by confidentiality and data-protection obligations.
We do not sell personal information. We do not disclose information overseas except where the matter has an international element and disclosure is necessary, or where a service provider stores data on overseas servers under contractual privacy protections.
Storage and security
We store personal information in our practice management system and in secure document storage. Reasonable steps are taken to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. These steps include encrypted storage, password protection, restricted internal access, and confidentiality obligations on all staff.
Where we no longer need information for any purpose for which it may be used or disclosed, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it, subject to our obligation to retain client files for the period required by professional rules and the Limitation of Actions Act 1974 (Qld).
Cookies and website analytics
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to remember your preferences, understand how visitors use the site, and improve performance. We use Google Analytics (or a comparable analytics tool) to collect aggregate, non-identifying information about site usage. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the site may not function as intended if you do.
The website may include links to third-party sites. Once you leave our site, those sites' privacy policies apply, not ours.
Access and correction
Under APP 12 you have a right to ask us for access to the personal information we hold about you. Under APP 13 you have a right to ask us to correct it if it is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date. Most requests can be dealt with informally; if a formal response is needed, we will reply within 30 days.
We may decline access in limited circumstances, for example where access would be unlawful, would prejudice an ongoing investigation, or where the information is subject to legal professional privilege. We will explain our reasons in writing and tell you what alternative steps are available.
Privacy complaints
If you believe we have not complied with this policy or with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), please tell us in writing at the address below. We will investigate the complaint and respond within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au or by phone on 1300 363 992.
Contact us about privacy
If you have a question about this policy or about how we handle your personal information, contact us:
- By email: [email protected]
- By phone: (07) 5554 6116 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm)
- By post: Privacy Officer, Fraser Lawyers, 86 Bundall Road, Bundall QLD 4217
We may update this policy from time to time. The "last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent version. Material changes will be flagged at the top of the page for at least 30 days.