Website Terms

General information

This website is operated by Liam Hemmings (“I”, “me”, “us” or “mine”). I am a freelance solicitor offering certain legal services.

Please note that I do not offer legal services in respect of Reserved Legal Activities as defined in section 12 and schedule 2 of the Legal Services Act 2007. Please see the following link for more information: legalservicesboard.org.uk.

The content of this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should not rely on any information on this website as a substitute for taking specific legal advice.

Intellectual property

All content on this website, including (but not limited to) text, images, logos, layout and structure, is owned by or licensed to Liam Hemmings and is protected by intellectual property laws.

You may view, download and print content from this website for your own personal or internal business use only. Any other use, including reproduction, distribution or modification, without my prior written consent is prohibited.

Links to third-party websites

This website may contain links to third-party websites or resources. These links are provided for information purposes only.

I have no control over the content of those websites and do not accept any responsibility for them. The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement or approval of the linked website or its content.

Website availability and security

I do not guarantee that this website will always be available, uninterrupted, secure or free from errors, bugs or viruses.

You are responsible for ensuring that your own systems are protected against viruses and other harmful elements.

Limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by law, I exclude all liability for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with:

• the use of, or inability to use, this website
• reliance on any content displayed on this website
• any errors or omissions in the content

Nothing in this notice excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so.

Changes to this website

I may update, modify or remove content from this website at any time without notice.

Governing law

This website and its use are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Review of this policy

I keep this policy under regular review. Any updates will be posted on this page.

Cookie Policy

What are cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, improve user experience and provide information to website owners.

Cookies are used on this site to recognise your device and distinguish you from other users of my website. This helps provide a better browsing experience and enables me to improve the performance and functionality of this website.

Types of cookies used

This website uses the following categories of cookies:

Essential cookies

These cookies are necessary for the operation of this website. They enable core functionality such as page navigation, access to secure areas and basic website features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies. However, if you disable them, certain parts of this website may not function properly.

Analytical cookies

This website uses analytical cookies to understand how visitors use it and to improve its performance.

I use Google Analytics and Squarespace, which collect information such as:

• how users arrive at the website
• which pages are visited
• how long users spend on the site

This information is aggregated and anonymised and is used solely to improve my website and user experience.

These cookies are only placed on your device if you provide your consent.

Managing cookies

When you first visit this website, you will be given the option to accept or reject non-essential cookies.

You can also control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• block cookies
• delete cookies
• set preferences for certain websites

Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of this website.

Third-party cookies

Some cookies may be set by third-party services that appear on this website, such as analytics providers. These third parties may collect and process your data in accordance with their own privacy policies.

For more information about how Google uses your data, please see policies.google.com/privacy.

For more information about how Squarespace uses your data, please see squarespace.com/privacy.

Changes to this policy

I may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any updates will be posted on this page.

Privacy Policy

Purpose of this policy

I take your privacy very seriously. I am committed to handling and protecting your personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This privacy policy explains how and why I collect, use, store and share your personal data in the course of providing legal services.

Data controller

I am the data controller of your personal data when I act for you or otherwise process your information in the course of my business.

I am responsible for determining the purposes for which and the manner in which your personal data is processed.

Data Protection Officer

I am the Data Protection Officer (DPO) who is responsible for overseeing questions in relation to this policy.

You also have the right to make a complaint at any time to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): www.ico.org.uk.

What is personal data

Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual.

This may include:

• identity information (such as name and date of birth)
• contact details
• financial information
• information relating to legal matters

I may also process special category data (for example, information relating to health or other sensitive matters) where this is necessary for the provision of legal services or the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

What personal data I collect

In the course of providing legal services, I may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

• Identity data: name, date of birth and identification documents (passport, driving licence, etc.)
• Contact data: address, email address and telephone numbers
• Financial data: bank details, source of funds and transaction information
• Client and matter data: information relevant to the legal matter on which I am instructed
• Family or personal data: where relevant to a matter (for example, wills or disputes)
• Regulatory data: information required for anti-money laundering and compliance checks
• Technical data: IP address, browser type and usage data when accessing this website
• Marketing and communications data: preferences in receiving communications from me

I may also process any other personal data that you provide to me or which is necessary in connection with your matter.

How I may collect your data

I collect personal data from a number of sources, including:

• directly from you (by email, telephone, meetings or correspondence)
• from publicly available sources (such as Companies House, HM Land Registry or court records)
• from third parties involved in your matter (such as other advisers, counterparties or experts)
• from compliance and due diligence providers (including AML and sanctions screening providers)
• through IT systems and case management systems
• via this website and analytics providers

How I use your personal data

I will only use your personal data where permitted by law.

The principal lawful bases I rely on are:

• performance of a contract (providing legal services to you)
• compliance with legal obligations (including regulatory and anti-money laundering requirements)
• legitimate interests (for example the operation and management of this business)

Purposes of processing

I use your personal data for the following purposes:

• to provide legal advice and representation
• to take steps prior to entering into a client engagement
• to carry out client onboarding and compliance checks (including AML)
• to manage my relationship with you
• to administer and protect my business and systems
• to comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations
• to communicate with you, including responding to enquiries
• to send you legal updates or marketing communications where permitted

Where I rely on legitimate interests, I will ensure that your rights and interests are not overridden.

Sharing your personal data

I may share your personal data with:

• barristers, experts and other professional advisers instructed in your matter
• regulators and public authorities
• counterparties and their advisers where necessary
• banks and payment providers
• IT and case management providers
• auditors and professional advisers
• service providers supporting this business

I will ensure that all third parties are subject to appropriate confidentiality and data protection obligations.

International transfers

Where personal data is transferred outside the UK, I will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including the use of UK-approved standard contractual clauses or transfers to jurisdictions recognised as providing adequate protection.

Data security

I use Google Workspace.

Access to personal data is limited to those who need it for legitimate business purposes and who are subject to confidentiality obligations.

I have procedures in place to deal with suspected data breaches and will notify you and any applicable regulator where required.

Data retention

I retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including to comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations.

As a general rule, I retain client file data for a minimum of six years following the end of a matter, although longer retention periods may apply depending on the nature of the work or where required for legal or regulatory reasons.

Your legal rights

You have rights under data protection law, including the right to:

• request access to your personal data
• request correction of inaccurate data
• request erasure of your data (in certain circumstances)
• object to processing
• request restriction of processing
• request transfer of your data
• withdraw consent where applicable

These rights may be subject to legal and professional obligations, including duties of confidentiality.

Exercising your rights

I may need to verify your identity before responding to any request.

I aim to respond to all requests within one month, although this may be extended where requests are complex.

Changes to this policy

I may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on my website.

Contact

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact liam@hemmings-law.com.

Complaints Policy

I am committed to providing a high-quality legal service. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of my service, I encourage you to let me know so that I can address your concerns promptly and effectively.

Raising a concern

In the first instance, I suggest that you raise your concerns with me and I will try and resolve it as quickly as possible.

Formal complaint

If your concern cannot be resolved informally, you may submit a formal complaint by email to: liam@hemmings-law.com.

Please include:

• details of your concern or dissatisfaction
• any outcome you would like me to achieve
• your preferred method of communication

The complaints process

Upon receiving your complaint, I will:

• acknowledge receipt within 7 days
• carry out an internal review, which may include reviewing your file and relevant documentation, reviewing my engagement letter and correspondence, and speaking with those involved in your matter
• where appropriate, offer to discuss the matter with you
• provide a written response within 28 days, setting out my findings and proposed resolution

If additional time is required due to the complexity of the matter, I will inform you and agree a revised timeframe where possible.

Further review

If you remain dissatisfied with my response, I will:

• review your complaint again
• provide a further written response within 28 days of your request for reconsideration

Legal Ombudsman

If you are not satisfied with my final response, you may be entitled to refer your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, which is an independent body established to resolve complaints about legal services.

The Legal Ombudsman’s service is free of charge and is available to individuals and certain small organisations.

You can contact the Legal Ombudsman at:

• Post: PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ
• Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
• Telephone: 0300 555 0333
• Website: www.legalombudsman.org.uk

You must usually bring your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman:

• within six months of receiving my final response; and
• no more than six years from the act or omission, or three years from when you should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

The Legal Ombudsman deals with complaints about service. If you have concerns about professional misconduct (for example dishonesty, misuse of client money or discriminatory behaviour), you may report these directly to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA): www.sra.org.uk.

I would, however, encourage you to raise any such concerns with me first so that I can address them promptly.

Review of this policy

I keep this policy under regular review. Any updates will be posted on this page.