Privacy & POPIA Notice
Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx Inc (“VDM Attorneys”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and to processing your personal information lawfully, fairly and securely in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”). This notice explains how we collect, use, store and protect the personal information you share with us through this website and in the course of providing legal services.
1. Who we are
VDM Attorneys is a firm of attorneys, notaries and conveyancers operating from our Johannesburg (Sandton) and Greenstone offices. For any privacy-related query, or to exercise any of your rights under POPIA, you may contact us at info@vdm.law.
2. Information we collect
We collect personal information such as your name, contact details (email address and telephone number), the content of your correspondence, and any information you provide when you complete an enquiry or application form, request a consultation, or instruct us on a matter. We only collect information that is relevant and necessary for the purposes set out below.
3. How we use your information
- To respond to your enquiries and provide the legal services you request;
- To communicate with you about your matter and our services;
- To comply with our legal, regulatory and professional obligations, including the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA); and
- To maintain accurate records and manage our client relationship.
4. Lawful basis and consent
We process your personal information on the basis of your consent, the performance of a mandate or contract, compliance with a legal obligation, or our legitimate interests. By submitting your information to us you consent to its processing as described in this notice.
5. Sharing your information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share it with third parties only where necessary to provide our services (for example, the Deeds Office, financial institutions or briefed counsel) or where required by law. Any operators who process information on our behalf are required to keep it secure and confidential.
6. Security and retention
We take appropriate, reasonable technical and organisational measures to safeguard your personal information against loss, unauthorised access and misuse. We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law.
7. Your rights
Subject to POPIA, you have the right to access the personal information we hold about you, to request that it be corrected or deleted, and to object to its processing. To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@vdm.law. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa).
8. Changes to this notice
We may update this notice from time to time. The current version will always be available on this website.
