Purpose

Ryan & Co Solicitors Ltd is a limited company incorporated in England and Wales and is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under number C1689119.

This privacy notice explains the standards you can expect from Ryan & Co Solicitors when we request or hold your personal data. It outlines how you can access your data, how we use it, and what you can do if you believe our standards are not being met.

Ryan & Co Solicitors is the data controller for the personal data we collect and process in the provision of legal services.

Occasionally, we may use your contact details to invite feedback via client satisfaction questionnaires, which help us improve our services.

What Is Personal Data?

Personal data refers to any information that relates to an identifiable individual. This can include, but is not limited to:

• Your name, address, contact details
• Financial details
• Information related to legal matters, proceedings or circumstances

As we understand the importance of protecting your privacy and complying with data protection laws, your information will only be used lawfully and with appropriate safeguards.

Types of Personal Data We Collect

We only collect data relevant to the services we provide. This may include:

• Personal and contact information
• Financial information
• Case-related documentation
• Any other data necessary for legal representation

We may also collect additional information about you from emails or other correspondence that you send to us and information that is referred to as being in a ‘special category’. This could include:

• Physical or mental health details
• Racial or ethnic origin
• Religious beliefs or other beliefs of a similar nature
• Sexual orientation

…which we will only process with your explicit consent.

Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing Your Data

We process your personal data for the primary purpose of providing legal services. This includes:

• Assessing eligibility and making applications for Legal Aid
• Acting on your instructions
• Communicating with you
• Processing financial transactions
• Fulfilling regulatory and legal obligations

We may also use it for:

• Administering any accounts
• Processing your bank / credit card details in order to obtain payment
• The prevention and detection of fraud
• Market research

Legal Basis for Processing

Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you, compliance with legal obligations, or in some cases, based on your consent.

If we are unable to collect the required personal information, we may not be able to provide legal services.

Sharing Your Information

We may share your personal data with third parties where necessary for the provision of legal services or where required by law. Examples include:

• Barristers and other legal professionals
• Courts and tribunals
• Legal aid authorities
• Experts and service providers
• Regulatory or law enforcement bodies

All such sharing will be conducted in compliance with data protection legislation, and we will only allow third parties to handle your personal data if we are satisfied that they will take appropriate measures to protect it. 

In the event that you do not pay our invoices, we may also disclose your information to debt collection agencies.

You may contact our Data Protection Officer, Dave Ryan, for further details on who your data may be shared with.

Data Retention

We will retain your personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected and in line with legal and / or regulatory obligations.

When the retention period ends, your data will be securely deleted or destroyed. While we retain your data, it will be kept securely and protected against unauthorised access, loss or misuse.

For information on our data retention policy, please contact Dave Ryan, our Data Protection Officer.

Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have the following rights:

• To request access to the data we hold about you (Subject Access Request)
• To ask us to correct inaccurate data
• To request erasure of your data (in certain circumstances)
• To restrict or object to processing
• To withdraw your consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)
• To lodge a complaint with the ICO

To exercise these rights or make a Subject Access Request, please contact:

Dave Ryan 

Address: Ryan & Co Solicitors, 33-34 Winckley Square, Preston, Lancashire. PR1 3JJ.

Tel: 01772 447777

Email: dryan@ryanandcosolicitors.co.uk

How We Protect Your Information

We take the security of your personal data seriously. Your information is stored securely, with access limited to authorised personnel only. We also have procedures in place to deal with any suspected data breaches and will notify you and the ICO where legally required.

Marketing and Client Communications

We may use your information to send you legal updates or information about our services. Where required, we will seek your explicit consent. You may opt out at any time by contacting us.

Making a Complaint

If you are unhappy with how your personal data is being handled, you may raise a complaint directly with our Data Protection Officer, David Ryan at dryan@ryanandcosolicitors.co.uk and if unresolved, you may contact the ICO:

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

📞 Tel: 0303 123 1113

🌐 www.ico.org.uk

Changes to This Privacy Notice

This privacy notice may be updated from time to time. The most recent version will always be available on request or on our website.