Privacy Policy
Privacy Statement
AVOS Law Professional Corporation (hereby referred as ‘AVOS Law’) acknowledges the importance of client privacy and the sensitivity of personal information held by the firm. Lawyers are professionally and ethically obligated to maintain confidentiality of all information received within a lawyer-client relationship, as directed by the client. AVOS Law is dedicated to protecting the personal information it collects or controls concerning any individual.
Your Privacy Rights
AVOS Law manages your personal information in compliance with Ontario’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and, when necessary, the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
Why Personal Information is Collected
AVOS Law collects personal information to:
- Collect information through legal means for providing legal services.
- Understand, access, and assist you with your ongoing legal needs.
- Ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
What Personal Information is Collected?
Personal information is any information that identifies you.
How is Personal Information Collected?
Personal information is collected by lawful and fair means. AVOS Law may request your relevant sensitive personal information from specific organizations or businesses, such as medical professionals or financial institutions, with your consent. Whenever possible, the firm will collect your personal information directly from you. Consent may be written, verbal, or implied as necessary to further your legal needs. This Privacy Statement serves as notice of the purposes for which your personal or business contact information is collected.
With your consent, personal information may be obtained from various sources, including:
- You
- Medical professionals
- Public registries (e.g., Land Titles Offices, Probate Registry)
- Financial institutions
- Your employer
- Motor vehicle and driver licensing authorities
- Law enforcement and investigators
- Canadian Border Services Agency
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- The Government of Canada
- International agencies, organizations, educational bodies, governments, and law enforcement as needed.
Consent
AVOS Law will request either your written or express oral consent, which may be given in person, over the telephone, or online if your identity has been previously authenticated by the firm. If you voluntarily provide relevant personal information, it is assumed that you are consenting to its collection, use, and disclosure as described in this Privacy Statement
Express consent will be requested in writing when necessary, through a letter, application form, electronic signature, or other documents authorizing specific activities. Personal information may also be collected with your consent to record meetings online, by telephone, or in person
There are circumstances where the firm is required or permitted by law to collect, use, and disclose personal information without consent. The firm will handle all personal information confidentially and will substantiate the legal authority for such actions.
Disclosure Without Consent
AVOS Law may disclose your personal information without your consent under certain circumstances, such as:
- When required or authorized by law.
- When necessary to respond to an emergency that threatens the life, health, or security of an individual or the public.
- When it is necessary to establish or collect fees.
- If the information is already publicly known.
Use of Your Information
AVOS Law uses your personal information to provide legal advice and services to you and to administer the firm’s legal business incidental to providing legal services, such as client billing. With your permission, the firm may send you information about other legal services or new developments in the law. You may withdraw your consent at any time by notifying the firm.
AVOS Law does not disclose or sell your personal information or business contact information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Who is Information Released To?
Information about you is released to serve specific needs in providing legal services, with your consent. This may include:
- Firm staff and agents for the reasonable business purpose of providing legal services.
- Third parties contracted by AVOS Law to provide administrative services, who comply with the firm’s privacy policy and privacy laws.
- Financial institutions.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and other governmental departments and agencies.
- Canadian Border Services Agency.
- International agencies, organizations, educational bodies, governments, and law enforcement as needed.
Accuracy of Your Information
You have the right to request corrections to the personal information held by AVOS Law about you. The firm relies on you to provide accurate and up-to-date information for the provision of legal services and maintaining contact. Please inform the firm promptly of any changes to your information.
How is Your Personal Information Protected?
To protect your personal information, AVOS Law will:
- Not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than those identified or reasonably evident.
- Only disclose your personal information to those who need to know for the purposes stated in this Privacy Statement.
- Keep your personal information only as long as needed to fulfil the stated purpose or as required by law.
- Maintain your personal information accurately and up-to-date.
- Secure your personal information physically (e.g., in locked offices) and technologically (e.g., passwords, encryption).
Access to Your Personal Information
You may request access to your personal information by submitting a written request to the firm’s Privacy Officer. A reasonable fee may be charged for retrieval and copying of your information. If the request is extensive, you will be notified of the fee beforehand.
Denial of Access to Personal Information
By law, AVOS Law must deny access when:
- Your file contains personal information about a third party that cannot be severed to maintain privacy.
- The information is subject to a claim of legal professional privilege by one of the firm’s clients.
AVOS Law may also deny access to your information if it relates to existing or anticipated legal proceedings against you, including unpaid bills. If access is denied, an explanation will be provided. The firm will attempt to mediate a resolution if possible.
Communications by Email
Email is not always a secure method of communicating confidential information. The firm will use email to send personal or confidential information only with your authorization. The firm assumes authorization if you send personal information via email. Please inform the firm if you do not wish to use email for such communications.
Changes to this Privacy Statement
AVOS Law may update this Privacy Statement to reflect changes in privacy laws.
Contact Information & Resources
Please contact AVOS Law at the address below or by email if you:
- Wish to access your personal information.
- Wish to change your consent regarding how AVOS Law collects, uses, and discloses your personal information.
- Have concerns about AVOS Law’s privacy policies or how the firm has handled your personal information.