1. Introduction
Solace Ace Law Chambers (“we”, “us”, “our”, or “the Chambers”) is a barristers’ chambers established in 1997, practising from 14 Bellwether Court, Lincoln’s Inn, London. We are committed to protecting the privacy of our clients, contacts, and visitors to this website.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the rights you have over that data. It applies to information gathered when you instruct us, attend a consultation, or use this website.
By instructing us or using this website, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.
2. Personal Data We Collect
2.1 Information You Give to Us
When you instruct us or request a consultation, we collect:
- Identity and contact details — full name, email address, phone number, and postal address.
- Matter details — the nature of your legal issue, the practice area, and any background information you provide through our enquiry form or during consultation.
- Professional information — occupation, study stage (for consultation bookings), and any relevant credentials.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit this website, we may automatically process:
- Device and connection information — IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
- Usage data — pages visited, time spent, and referral source.
- Cookies and similar technologies — see our Cookie Policy for details.
2.3 Information From Third Parties
We may receive information from:
- Referring solicitors — case background and client instructions.
- Public databases and regulatory bodies — for compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Client (KYC) obligations.
- Credit reference agencies — for due diligence on certain matters.
3. How We Use Your Personal Data
We process your personal data for the following purposes:
- Providing legal services — assessing, preparing, and conducting your case.
- Client communications — responding to enquiries, scheduling consultations, and sending case updates.
- Legal and regulatory compliance — fulfilling our obligations under the Bar Standards Board Handbook, AML regulations, and data protection law.
- Chambers administration — maintaining client records, managing fee notes, and handling complaints.
- Website improvement — analysing usage patterns to improve our online presence.
We will not use your personal data for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
We rely on the following lawful bases under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018:
- Performance of a contract — processing necessary to provide legal services you have instructed us to undertake.
- Legal obligation — compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements.
- Legitimate interests — maintaining chambers administration and improving our services, balanced against your privacy rights.
- Consent — for non-essential communications, which you may withdraw at any time.
5. Disclosure of Personal Data
We may share your personal data with:
- Members of chambers — barristers and clerks working on your matter.
- Referring solicitors and counsel — as necessary for the conduct of your case.
- Courts and tribunals — where required by litigation or regulatory processes.
- Service providers — IT, accounting, and storage providers acting on our behalf, under appropriate data processing agreements.
- Regulatory bodies — the Bar Standards Board, Legal Ombudsman, or other authorities where legally required.
We do not sell your personal data to third parties.
6. International Transfers
As a UK-based chambers, most of your data is processed within the United Kingdom. Where a transfer outside the UK is necessary (for example, to a cloud service provider), we ensure it is protected by appropriate safeguards such as UK International Data Transfer Agreements or applicable adequacy decisions.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary:
- Active matter files — for the duration of the case and the limitation period that follows (typically six years).
- Client records — retained in line with Bar Standards Board record-keeping requirements.
- Website data — usage data is anonymised or deleted within 12 months, unless required for security or legal purposes.
You may request erasure of your personal data at any time, subject to our legal and regulatory obligations.
8. Your Data Protection Rights
Under the 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 or incomplete data.
- Erasure — request deletion of your data, subject to legal exceptions.
- Restriction — ask us to limit processing in certain circumstances.
- Portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Objection — object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
- Withdraw consent — where processing relies on consent, withdraw it at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at clerks@solaceace.law.
9. Security
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data, including encrypted storage, access controls, and regular security reviews. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact:
Solace Ace Law Chambers 14 Bellwether Court, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2A Email: clerks@solaceace.law Phone: +44 20 7123 4567