PRIVACY POLICY
1. INTRODUCTION
Nault Avocats Inc. (the “Firm” or “we“) places great importance on protecting the personal information of its clients, partners, and website visitors. This privacy policy (the “Policy“) explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information in accordance with applicable laws in Quebec, including the Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector (Quebec) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Federal).
2. PERSONAL INFORMATION
In this Policy, a “personal information” or “information” refers to any data that can identify a person or that relates to an identifiable individual. This may include information such as name, contact details, financial or tax information, date of birth, information found on government-issued IDs, or any other data required in the course of services provided by the Firm or interactions with you, including via our website or email/phone communication.
This Policy does not apply to publicly available information or personal data related to a person’s role within a business, such as name, title, business address, email address, or phone number. We also take necessary precautions to comply with laws concerning minors’ privacy.
3. USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
The Firm only collects your personal information for necessary, legitimate, and specific purposes. This information is used solely for these purposes, unless additional consent is given or required/permitted by law.
Your personal information may be used for, but not limited to, the following purposes:
- To provide legal and related services;
- To meet our legal and regulatory obligations, including those under the Regulation respecting accounting and professional standards for lawyers and other applicable legislation requiring client identification and verification;
- To bill and collect payments, manage our relationship with you, offer customer service, fulfill contractual obligations, and generally manage the Firm’s business;
- To solicit and assess job applications;
- To operate the website, optimize performance, and analyze use, including statistical studies on user characteristics and behavior;
- To improve our services and communications, maintain and develop business relationships, and inform you of news, updates, or services offered by the Firm;
- To ensure the security of our website and IT infrastructure;
- Any other purposes for which you have given express, implied, or legal consent.
4. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
We only disclose your personal information for the purposes it was collected for, unless required by law or with your express consent. The Firm never sells or trades personal information. We may share your data with:
- Third parties involved in service delivery such as opposing parties and their advisors, bankers, insurers, government authorities, and other necessary actors in legal proceedings or transactions;
- Service providers or partners required for contract execution, including those providing website hosting, cloud storage, or office services, under strict privacy obligations;
- Government or law enforcement authorities claiming legal right to access the information, when it may help with investigations, comply with court orders, or protect the Firm’s rights; during mergers or restructurings; or as required by law;
- Any third party, when you have expressly consented to such disclosure.
Our professionals, bound by professional orders, are under strict confidentiality obligations. No personal data protected by legal privilege will be disclosed unless waived by the client or permitted/required by law.
We prefer service providers who guarantee in writing that personal information is stored within Quebec. However, it may be transferred outside Quebec where different laws apply. This happens when the Firm delegates data handling. Before any transfer, we conduct thorough assessments to ensure adequate protection. However, legal access to such data may occur under court orders, regardless of jurisdiction.
5. RETENTION AND PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
We prioritize data security and implement strong technical, physical, administrative, and organizational safeguards aligned with legal industry standards to prevent loss, theft, unauthorized access, misuse, or destruction. These include restricted access, staff training, password-secured systems, and strict policies.
Data is stored and processed either in our Quebec offices or elsewhere. Any third party handling data must ensure adequate safeguards. Despite our measures, no electronic method is fully secure; however, we maintain high standards.
Data is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill its original purpose or as legally required.
6. CONSENT
By providing your data to the Firm, you consent to its use in line with this Policy. Consent may be expressed in writing, verbally, electronically, or implied through voluntary provision of data.
If you submit another person’s data, you confirm having obtained their consent or legal authorization to do so under this Policy.
If we use your data for a purpose other than originally intended, we will request consent unless legally permitted otherwise.
Some circumstances allow or require data collection, use, or disclosure without consent, including legal representation, practical or legal impossibility, or fraud detection/prevention.
You may withdraw or modify your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions. This may impact our ability to offer services. We will discuss implications if applicable.
To withdraw or change your consent, contact our Privacy Officer.
7. ACCURACY AND ACCESS
You may request access to your data, learn how it is used, and request corrections if it is inaccurate or incomplete by contacting our Privacy Officer.
We will respond within a reasonable time. We may verify your identity before granting access. Some limitations may apply, such as protecting others’ privacy, professional secrecy, or legal restrictions. If so, we will explain the reasons.
8. POLICY CHANGES
This Policy came into effect on September 25, 2023. We may update it at any time to reflect legal or operational changes. Updates will be published on our website with an effective date. Continued site use after changes implies acceptance.
9. PRIVACY OFFICER
For any questions regarding this Policy or your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer:
Hugo Van Branteghem
355, rue des Récollets, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1V9
hvanbranteghem@naultavocats.ca