We only use your information for the purposes for which we collected it subject to limited exceptions, such as where we reasonably consider that we can use your information for another reason which is compatible with the original purpose for which it was collected.
Subject to applicable laws, we may also monitor and record your calls, emails, text messages, social media messages and other communications in relation to your dealings with us. We do this for regulatory compliance, self-regulatory and audit reasons, crime prevention and detection, the protection and security of our communications systems and procedures, to check for obscene or profane content, for quality control reasons and for training purposes. We are permitted to do this by our legitimate interests or our legal obligations.
We may use your information in different ways depending upon the circumstances, these can include the following:
If you are a client
When you engage DWF for services and at points throughout our relationship, we are sometimes required to process your information to comply with our legal, regulatory and risk management obligations. This can include, for example, the completion of anti-money laundering checks, conflict of interest checks and fraud-related background checks.
Whilst you are a client of DWF, we can collect, maintain and process your personal information whilst we supply our services to you.
We can also use your contact information for the purposes of collecting payment from you, and to inform you of any changes to the terms of our arrangements.
If you are a website user
We may use the information you submit to our website, for example, contact details, to respond to your enquiries or complaints.
Like most websites, our website uses cookies to capture certain data about its use and its users to improve the functionality of our website and your experience when using it. Cookies may store preferences and other data about your use of our website and we use this data to improve your experience of our website by making it personalised to you. By using our website and allowing the use of cookies, you are allowing us to collect aggregate and statistical data, which does not identify you, for statistical analysis and strategic development purposes. For full details about the types of cookies we use, what we use them for and how long we use them, please go to our Cookies Policy.
You can manage cookies by changing your browser settings to disable or delete cookies. To find out how, go to http://www.aboutcookies.org.uk/. Please note that if you disable cookies, this can affect the functionality of our website on your device and you might not be able to access certain parts of our website.
When you visit our website, our server will also temporarily record your IP address (similar to a phone number, it is a unique number that allows your computer or device to communicate via the internet). It allows us to identify your country of origin whilst you are navigating our website, so we can direct you to the most suitable regional pages of our website. If you are accessing our website from a business IP address, we also capture details of which organisations have visited our website.
Additionally, for the purpose of detecting and blocking attacks (such as hacking) on our website and its technical infrastructure, we process your IP address, access time, accessed subpage(s), and transmitted data volume. This processing is necessary to fulfil our legal obligation to take protective measures against such attacks. The data is deleted seven (7) days after the end of your visit to our website, unless an attempted attack is detected. In the event of a detected attempted attack from your point of access, the data will be further processed for technical and, if necessary, legal processing.
Our website contains links to other websites. Please note that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites. When you leave our website please be sure to read the privacy notices and policies of those other websites. We do not endorse the content on any other websites that can be accessed via our website.
If you receive marketing communications
We may use your information so that you can receive marketing communications from us. We will use any information you submit relating to your preferences to develop relevant material to send to you. You will also be able to receive communications such as our newsletters, event invitations, and details of our competitions and prize draws.
Please note that you have a right to withdraw your consent at any time. If you currently receive marketing communications from us and you would prefer not to receive them in the future or if you would like to change your marketing preferences, you can do this at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of all our marketing emails.
If you are applying for a job with us
As an international business we are committed to safeguarding the privacy of the individuals that apply for positions at DWF. This section explains how we use the information you submit as part of your application.
If you apply for a position with us, we can use your personal information to allow us to process your job application, including those submitted to us via the Careers section of our website. We can also use your personal information to assess your suitability for a position you have applied for at DWF, to review our equal opportunities legal requirements, and for other human resource administration purposes.
As well as the personal information referred to in the 'What information we collect' section of this privacy notice, we can collect additional information if you apply for a job with us. This can include nationality and immigration/right to work information.
Unless required in order to comply with any legal or regulatory requirements, or where we have a legitimate interest to do so, we will only use the personal information you provide to us for the purposes of processing and managing your application for a position at DWF and the associated recruitment process.
We will not process any special category information about you without your explicit consent, which is not mandatory. If you do provide your consent, such information is used solely for the purposes of diversity monitoring, and to ensure that any and all reasonable adjustments are made for applicants with disabilities.
If you are an opposing party to or a person involved with a transaction we are involved with
We may use your personal information in order to perform our services for our clients. Elements of your information contained in matter files may be shared with or disclosed to third parties as part of our work in relation to that matter, in accordance with 'who we share your personal information with' below.
If you attend one of our events, seminars or one of our offices
All visitors to our offices will be required to sign in and out at one of our designated reception points. Depending on the office location, we may collect entry and exit data from the electronic security barriers located in our reception areas and/or on each floor or office area. This data is collected for auditing and HR purposes and will be stored electronically and for a period of 12 months.
If you are a visitor at one of our offices, we may collect personal data during your visit such as your name, job title, contact information (including address, telephone number and company you work for) payment information (including verification documents from our clients in order to comply with anti-money laundering requirements, such as utility bills, your passport and driving licence) and other information relevant for us to carry out our services.
When you log onto our Wi-Fi when attending our offices as a visitor, either in our UK or international offices, we will provide a direct internet connection for your use. Our Wi-Fi can be accessed via the ClientNet network. This is a separate network from our corporate network. To allow you to use our free Wi-Fi, we will collect details of your MAC address (Media Access Control address, this is a unique code linked to your hardware in order to identify it). This information will not be stored and will be deleted as soon as your session ends. If you connect to our ClientNet network Wi-Fi as a visitor in one of our international offices, this data routes via our Manchester internet line. We will however collate details of your MAC address within the session. No personal data will be stored and your MAC address will be deleted after these sessions.
If you attend our events, seminars or offices, we may use your personal information to cater for any dietary or accessibility requirements and to analyse any feedback you provide.
Where you also sign up to receive marketing communications from us at an event or seminar, please refer to the 'If you receive marketing communications' section of this privacy notice for further details.
If you connect with us on social media
In some of our locations worldwide, we collect personal information whilst responding to enquiries directed to our social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Xing or during the course of promotional campaigns on our social media platforms. In the course of our recruitment, we are sometimes directed to individuals' LinkedIn profiles by recruitment agencies. We sometimes process personal information that is published on social networks.
Depending on the content of the request, processing will be restricted to the specific purpose of the enquiry. After the fulfilment of the enquiry and any legal obligations related to it, in particular commercial and tax retention requirements, the personal information is deleted.
If you use such social media services, you should review their own privacy policies for more information on how they deal with your personal information.