Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy applies to all visitors and clients of SilverShield Legal, a specialised legal service designed to support older Australians with estate planning, aged care contracts, retirement village agreements, wills, enduring powers of attorney, and related legal matters. The policy describes how we collect, process, and store personal and sensitive information through our website (www.silvershieldlegal.com.au) and during legal consultations. As we utilise cloud infrastructure with Canadian-based providers, this policy complies with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) of Canada, alongside Australia’s Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), with particular attention to the needs and rights of senior citizens.

2. Privacy Policy – Collection, Use, and Storage of Data

SilverShield Legal collects and processes a range of personal and legal data necessary to deliver tailored legal support for elderly clients and their families. We collect:

  • Identity data (full name, date of birth, Medicare or pension details, proof of identity)
  • Contact data (residential address, email, phone number, emergency contact)
  • Legal information (existing wills, power of attorney documents, superannuation nominations, property titles)
  • Health-related disclosures (when relevant to legal instruments or aged care decisions)
  • Financial documentation (bank details, asset statements, income assessments)
  • Session data (browser type, IP address, time of access, system logs)

Data is collected through:

  • Intake forms submitted via our website or in person
  • Direct interviews, telephone conversations, and family consultations
  • Document submissions from clients or authorised representatives
  • Secure portals and cloud-based case management systems

We use this information for:

  • Drafting and updating estate planning documents
  • Providing legal advice and representation in retirement-related matters
  • Fulfilling regulatory requirements (e.g. verification of identity under anti-fraud laws)
  • Managing ongoing client relationships and service delivery

All data is stored on encrypted servers located in Canada or Australia. Data retention follows legal requirements, typically 7 years from the conclusion of service, unless longer retention is required due to regulatory compliance or ongoing client instructions.

3. GDPR – User Rights, Processing Grounds, and Legitimacy

SilverShield Legal recognises and upholds the rights of individuals covered under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including Australian residents who hold dual EU citizenship or engage in cross-border estate matters.

Your rights include:

  • Right to access: You may request a record of the personal data we hold.
  • Right to correction: You may correct inaccurate or outdated details.
  • Right to erasure: You may request deletion of data no longer necessary for service or legal purposes.
  • Right to restrict processing: You may request limited use of your data during legal disputes or document reviews.
  • Right to data portability: We will provide your legal data in a structured, electronic format when requested.
  • Right to object: You may object to data processing based on legitimate interest.

We process personal data on the basis of:

  • Informed consent (e.g. when preparing wills or POAs)
  • Contractual necessity (e.g. acting under a signed engagement agreement)
  • Legal obligations (e.g. acting in accordance with Australian elder law)
  • Vital interest of the client or their dependents (e.g. in cases of incapacity or urgent care)
  • Legitimate interest (e.g. ensuring service continuity, fraud prevention, or quality assurance)

4. Cookie Policy

SilverShield Legal uses cookies on its website to ensure a secure, accessible, and intuitive experience, especially for older users who may prefer simplified navigation and assistive features.

4.1. Types of Cookies Used

  • Essential cookies: Required to maintain session security and enable secure login for clients and support staff.
  • Functionality cookies: Store preferences such as font size, contrast settings, or preferred contact methods.
  • Security cookies: Detect and mitigate risks such as repeated failed logins or suspicious access attempts.
  • Analytics cookies: Help us understand how clients interact with the site so we can improve accessibility.

No advertising, behavioural tracking, or third-party marketing cookies are used.

4.2. How to Disable Cookies

You can disable cookies by adjusting your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete existing cookies. Please note, however, that deactivating certain cookies may limit access to secure client services, including digital intake forms and document downloads. A cookie consent tool is available upon first visit and can be reopened at any time from the website footer.

5. Data Disclosure to Third Parties

We do not sell or rent any personal data. Disclosure is limited to specific circumstances required to deliver legal services or meet legal obligations. These may include:

  • Sharing documents with notaries, aged care facilities, or financial institutions (with your consent)
  • Lodging materials with government bodies such as Centrelink, Land Registries, or the Office of the Public Guardian
  • Involving medical professionals or trustees if appointed in legal documents
  • Collaborating with Canadian or Australian cloud service providers for secure data storage
  • Disclosing data when compelled by court order or statute

All external recipients are bound by professional confidentiality or strict data security agreements.

6. Data Security Measures

SilverShield Legal applies rigorous security protocols designed with older clients in mind:

  • TLS 1.3 encryption for all communications through our website and secure email gateways
  • AES-256 encryption for document storage across all case files and cloud systems
  • Identity authentication procedures tailored to the needs of elderly clients, including remote verification
  • Role-based access control limiting staff access based on case relevance
  • Daily encrypted backups stored in geographically redundant data centres (Australia and Canada)
  • Annual vulnerability scans and privacy impact assessments to identify and address risks

Clients may also request in-person alternatives or hard-copy documentation, where digital processes are not accessible.

7. Effective Date

This Privacy Policy is effective as of 16 July 2025. SilverShield Legal reserves the right to amend this policy as required by changes in law, technology, or service offerings. All updates will be posted at www.silvershieldlegal.com.au/privacy. Where significant changes affect your rights, we will notify you directly via email or written correspondence. The latest version of this policy is always available on our website.

‍