Who we are

BCGL Advocates, a reputable chambers-style legal practice situated in Valletta, Malta, at 56 Melita Street, serves as the Data Controller for the processing of your personal data. This Privacy Policy is applicable to visitors of this Website – www.bcgladvocates.com and to any persons who makes use of our services and it is intended to detail how We handle any personal data which is collected through our Website (www.bcgladvocates.com) in the context of the various legal services We provide. It explains the nature of personal data being collected by Us and the manner in which it is so collected, the scope for collection and the type of use and disclosure of your personal data. This Privacy  Policy is also intended to detail your respective rights in relation to the personal data collected by Us.

BCGL Advocates is hereunder interchangeably referred to as the ‘Data Controller’, ‘We’, or ‘Us’.

Data Collection

We may gather the following categories of personal data from you:

1. Contact Information: Your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
   
   
2. Case-Related Information: Details pertaining to your legal issues, such as client ID, file number, and the nature of the legal matter. This may include documentation to substantiate your claim.
   
   
3. Financial Information: Details related to your payment method and billing history.
   
   
4. Due Diligence Information: Documents to authenticate your identity and the source of your funds/Wealth.
   
5. Other Information: Data provided by you in surveys, forms, or communications, such as preferences and interests.
   
   
6. Professional References: Information about your professional background.
   
   
7. KYC Checks: Including proof of identification.
   
   
8. Browser and Device Information: IP addresses, browser type, versions, and locations.

What is Personal Data?

Personal data refers to any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, whom can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier. This personal information may be processed in various ways, such as – but not limited to – collection, recording, organisation, structuring, and storage.

Utilising Your Information

We may use your personal data for the following purposes:

1. Provision of Legal Services: Utilizing your personal data to fulfill a service you have requested of Us, including in order to provide legal advice and consultancy, to represent you in proceedings regarding briefs you have entrusted Us with, to prepare legal documents, to communicate with you or third parties with respect to any matter relative to your case in the context of our brief, as Well as for any other purpose being relative and/or ancillary to the foregoing.
   
   
2. Management/Administration of our Legal Practice: Employing your data in connection with aspects relating to the Data Controller’s day-to-day operations, including for billing, marketing, customer service, recruitment, and employment purposes. This includes applying your data towards safeguarding and/or improving our legitimate interests, including to improve our services and for fraud prevention.
   
   
3. Compliance with Our Legal Obligations: Utilizing your data to adhere to mandatory legal and regulatory requirements, such as reporting to the courts and/or any other state authorities.

Where required by law, We will invariably obtain your consent for specific processing activities.

Sharing of Your Information

We may share your personal data with the following entities:

1. Employees and Officers: Those who are assigned by Us to carry out the functions of BCGL Advocates in order to provide you with our services pursuant to and in connection with any brief you may entrust Us with from time to time.
   
   
2. Third Party Service Providers: IT service providers and any such external advisors and/or consultants which may be engaged or retained by Us from time to time.
   
   
3. Courts and Authorities: Legal bodies and governmental authorities for legal and regulatory compliance purposes. This includes instance when We are or may be required to comply with our obligations at law, including in respect of any summons, warrant and any court or regulatory order as Well as in order to safeguard our and/or your rights, as may be required.
   
   
4. Other Third Parties: Auditors, accountants, and others involved in facilitating and enabling Us to provide our services to you.
   
   
5. Law Enforcement Agencies: On a voluntary basis (ex officio) should We have reason to suspect any form of illegal interaction.

We explicitly undertake not sell and/or lease your personal information to any third parties for marketing purposes.

Your Rights

Under the EU GDPR, you possess the following rights:

1. Right to Access: Obtain confirmation whether your personal data is being processed and access it.
   
   
2. Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate personal data.
   
   
3. Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal obligations.
   
   
4. Right to Restrict Processing: Request Us to stop processing your personal data.
   
   
5. Right to Data Portability: Request a copy of your personal data in electronic format.
   
   
6. Right to Object: Object to processing on grounds relating to your particular situation.
   
   
7. Right to Not Be Subject to Automated Decision Making: Ensure your data is not subject to automated decisions with significant effects.

Complaints and Concerns

If you have any concerns or complaints regarding our privacy methods and processes, you have the right to contact Us by email at info@bcgladvocates.com. Additionally, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information and Data Protection Commissioner of Malta at:

Information and Data Protection Commissioner
Level 2, Airways Houe, High Street, Sliema, SLM 1549, Malta

Website: https://idpc.org.mt

Data Protection Measures

We employ reasonable safeguards (physical, technical, and administrative) to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Retention Period

We will retain your personal data for a minimum of ten (10) years or longer if deemed necessary for legal, compliance, tax, audit, or any legitimate business purposes.

We may have a legitimate interest to hold your data for a longer period, such as when your data is required for exercising or defending any legal claims.

International Transfer of Personal Data

Where We allow the processing of your personal information outside the EEA, We will ensure compliance with GDPR requirements and undertake to procure that proper safeguards are in place. 

Security of Your Personal Data

We take all reasonable precautions, whether technical, organisational or otherwise, to prevent the loss, misuse, or alteration of your personal data, including through the use of secured servers, back-up systems, firewalls, and encryptions and the like.

Job Applications

As part of our recruitment process, We may collect and process personal data contained in job applications submitted by interested candidates. If your application is unsuccessful, We may keep your information on file for up to one (1) year for future reference, with your consent.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

This policy may change from time to time; We encourage you to refer to it periodically.

Cookies

We Use cookies to enhance user experience and analyze Website traffic. For detailed information about our Use of cookies, visit the cookie policy section on our Website.

To manage cookies, you can adjust your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect Website functionality.

Supplying Personal Data Pertaining to Third-Parties

If you are a company, intermediary, or another corporate entity, and you provide Us with personal data of third-party individuals such as your employees, affiliates, service providers, clients/customers, directors, or other individuals, you are solely responsible for ensuring that:

• You immediately inform these data subjects about this privacy notice and direct them to review it.
  
  
• The collection, transfer, provision, and any processing of such personal data by you complies fully with all applicable laws.
  
  
• As the data controller, you remain fully accountable to these data subjects and must adhere to all relevant legal requirements.
  
  
• You obtain any necessary information notices, approvals, consents, or other permissions required from these data subjects before sharing their personal data with Us.
  
  
• You ensure that the information provided to Us is accurate and up to date, and you promptly notify Us of any changes to the personal data.

You hereby fully indemnify Us and shall render Us completely harmless upon first written demand against all costs, damages, or liabilities of any nature arising from any claims or litigation (instituted or threatened) against Us as a result of your provision of such personal data to Us.

Contact Information

If you have queries regarding this privacy policy or our data protection practices, kindly reach out to us at:

BCGL Advocates
56, Melita Street, Valletta, Malta
E: info@bcgladvocates.com
P: +356 2124 0432

We are dedicated to safeguarding your privacy and treating your personal data with utmost care. Your trust is paramount, and We are committed to ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your personal information. Please contact Us with any concerns or inquiries relative to this Privacy Policy.