1. Introduction
This notice describes how Parity Chambers (“Chambers”), the individual Members of Chambers (“Members”), and their staff (collectively referred to as “Parity”) process personal data.
In the legal profession, data responsibility is shared:
- Individual Barristers: Once a case is allocated, the instructed Barrister is the Data Controller for that specific case data.
- Chambers: Acts as the Data Controller for unallocated cases, marketing, recruitment (staff, members, pupils, and mini-pupils), and general administration. Chambers also processes case data on behalf of individual Members.
2. The Data We Collect
We collect information necessary to provide specialist legal services, which may include:
- Personal Identifiers: Names, contact details, dates of birth, and passport scans.
- Financial Information: Details for billing, fee collection, and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance.
- Special Category Data: Due to the nature of our litigation work, we may process sensitive information regarding medical history, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political opinions, and trade union membership.
- Criminal Records: Information regarding arrests, charges, or allegations.
3. Why We Process Your Information
We rely on the following lawful bases under data protection law:
- Contractual Necessity: To perform legal services or process employment/pupillage/tenancy applications.
- Legal Obligation: To comply with the Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulations and AML legislation.
- Legitimate Interests: For the administration of justice, conflict of interest checks, and the establishment or defense of legal claims.
- Public Interest: For the effective administration of the legal system.
Note on Privilege: Much of the data we hold is protected by Legal Professional Privilege. This may limit our ability to disclose certain information, even upon request.
4. Disclosure of Information
We may share your data with third parties including:
- The Judiciary & Courts: Judges, HMCTS, and opposing legal teams during litigation.
- Professional Experts: Witnesses, experts, and accountants.
- Service Providers: Our IT and cloud providers (who act strictly on our instructions).
- Trainees: Pupils (trainee barristers) and Mini-Pupils under strict confidentiality agreements.
- Regulators: The BSB, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and/or any other applicable regulatory body when required.
5. International Transfers & Retention
- Location: Data is generally kept within the UK. We only transfer data abroad to countries with “adequacy” status or when strictly necessary for specific legal claims.
- Case Records: Generally retained for 7 years after the conclusion of a matter to allow for regulatory compliance and insurance requirements.
- Recruitment: Application data is kept for 2 years, though pupillage data may be kept longer for repeat applicants.
6. Marketing & Mailing Lists
If you subscribe to our updates or attend a Parity Conference/Seminar, we store your contact details to provide legal updates and event invitations.
- Opt-out: Every marketing email contains an “Unsubscribe” link.
- Direct Request: You can email clerks@paritychambers.com at any time to be removed.
