Suite 1200
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5H 4C7
T: (416) 601-1348
F: (416) 601-1190
Privacy Policy
We are the guardians of our clients’ secrets. Over the years, we have developed strict privacy protocols which exceed the requirements of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
Personal Information
“Personal information” in the context of this policy means any information about an identifiable individual, but does not include the name, title or business address or telephone number of an employee of an organization.
We protect all personal information in accordance with the requirements of PIPEDA and the Law Society of Upper Canada.
We also protect the sensitive and confidential information of corporations, and other organizations for whom we work, in accordance with our professional and ethical obligations.
The personal information that we regularly collect includes address and contact information, billing and account information, and information that may be relevant or incidental to addressing legal issues.
Purpose of Collection
We gather personal, sensitive and confidential information for the purpose of representing our clients and prospective clients, including to address our professional obligations of identification and verification. We may use personal information to develop our knowledge management systems, to provide ongoing communications about our services, or for other purpose for which we obtain prior consent. We do not use personal information for any other commercial purposes and we never sell personal information to any third parties.
The scope of our representation is identified at the outset of every one of our engagements and may be expanded or contracted at any time by consent.
In circumstances where we receive personal information from our clients about insured individuals, we protect that information to the same extent that we protect all other personal information. We limit its use to the extent necessary to properly represent our clients’ interests.
Accountability
We are responsible for all personal information in our possession and under our control, including information transferred to third parties for processing or storage. We verify that all of our third party contractors who handle the information contained in our files comply with the principles of PIPEDA with respect to that information, whether they are located in Ontario or elsewhere.
All members of the firm have ongoing responsibility for the handling of personal information. They have received appropriate training with respect to this privacy policy, the requirements of PIPEDA, the laws of privilege and the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Our chief privacy officer is Rachael D. Bruce, who may be reached in confidence at:
Suite 1200
11 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 4C7
rachael@isaacsco.ca
416-601-9321
Consent
Personal information collected by the firm is used or disclosed with the knowledge and consent of the holder of the information, except in circumstances where consent is not required by law.
In certain circumstances, as permitted or required by law, we may collect, use or disclose information without the knowledge or consent of the subject of the information. This may occur where, for example, the information is publicly available, where we investigate a breach of an agreement or a contravention of a law or where disclosure is required to act in an emergency that threatens the life, health or security of an individual. All use and disclosure of personal information subject to the solicitor-client privilege is handled in accordance with our legal and ethical obligations and, where appropriate, will not disclosed without a Court order.
Limiting Collection
We limit the amount and type of personal information collected to that which is necessary or ancillary to the identified purposes and will only gather, use, or distribute information that is appropriate to the performance of those matters.
Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention
Personal information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it is collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law.
We may provide personal information to our service providers, our agents, the Law Society of Upper Canada or a court of law. We may also disclose personal information in context of providing legal services, such as to locate witnesses or subject matter experts.
We retain personal information to fulfill the identified purposes and to meet statutory records retention requirements. When we no longer require the information to comply with our professional obligations, we will destroy it.
Accuracy
We do not routinely update the personal information we have collected except to the extent that it is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which the information was collected.
Individuals may demand access to their personal information and may assist us to update it as appropriate.
Safeguards
All personal information in our possession or under our control is protected from loss, unauthorized use or disclosure by the use of security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information. We have implemented the following protocols in particular:
- Printed personal information of particularly sensitive nature is locked either in the safe or locked filing cabinets, access to which is limited to the Chief Privacy Officer and the members of our firm who require it in connection with our work.
- Access to our computer and phone messaging systems is password protected with access controlled by the Chief Privacy Officer.
- Any printed information of a sensitive or confidential nature is shredded when no longer appropriate to be stored in our files.
- Personal information stored electronically is backed up daily and, where it is not longer required, it is deleted from our system.
- All mobile electronic devices with access to personal information are password controlled.
- Our staff are made aware of the importance of maintaining confidentiality and privilege through regular training.
Openness & Access
We provide access to personal information that we have collected as required by law. Demands may be made to our Chief Privacy Officer or by contacting the lawyer responsible for any file.
Where we are unable to comply with requests for disclosure to personal information, we will inform the person requesting the information in a timely manner of the reasons for our refusal to comply with their request.