Privacy policy
Version 1.1
Effective date: 11 March 2026
1. Introduction and consent
Canterbury Legal (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 (New Zealand), the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007, and our professional obligations as legal practitioners.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and disclose personal information through:
• our website
• email and digital communications
• client onboarding processes
• the provision of legal services
By accessing or using our website, or by submitting your personal information through any form on this site, you acknowledge that:
• you have read this Privacy Policy; and
• you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as described in this policy.
2. Who we are
Canterbury Legal is a New Zealand law firm providing commercial, property and private client legal services.
If you have any privacy queries, please contact:
Canterbury Legal
Address
Canterbury Legal Building, Level 2, 205 Durham Street South. Christchurch Central
Postal Address
P.O. Box 22115, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 377 0792
Email: admin@canterburylegal.co.nz
3. Personal information we collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
Information you provide directly
• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Postal or residential address
• Information submitted through contact forms
• Newsletter subscription details
• Information provided in relation to legal enquiries
• Identity verification information (where required under AML/CFT legislation)
• Billing and payment information
Website usage information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information including:
• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Pages visited
• Date and time of access
• Referral source
This data is generally anonymised and used for analytics, performance monitoring and security purposes.
4. How we collect information
We collect personal information when you:
• Complete a website contact form
• Subscribe to LegalChat or other updates
• Email or phone us
• Engage us to provide legal services
• Upload or provide documents
• Interact with embedded website content
• Browse our website (via cookies and analytics tools)
We may also collect information from third parties where authorised or required to provide legal services.
5. How we use personal information
We use personal information for the following purposes:
• Responding to enquiries
• Providing legal advice and services
• Complying with AML/CFT and regulatory obligations
• Managing client relationships
• Billing and administrative purposes
• Sending newsletters and legal insights
• Informing you about services relevant to your enquiry or interests
• Improving website functionality and user experience
• Protecting our systems and preventing fraud
We will only use personal information for the purpose for which it was collected or a directly related purpose, unless required or permitted by law.
6. Marketing communications
Where you provide your contact details to us — including by completing an enquiry form, downloading content, subscribing to LegalChat, or otherwise engaging with us — you consent to Canterbury Legal contacting you regarding:
• Your enquiry
• Related legal services
• Updates relevant to your interests
• LegalChat editions and firm insights
• Changes in law that may affect you
• Firm announcements and service developments
We may send electronic communications where:
• You have given express consent; or
• Consent can reasonably be inferred from your engagement with us.
All marketing communications will comply with the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007.
You may opt out at any time by:
• Clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails; or
• Contacting us directly.
We will promptly honour any opt-out request.
7. Cookies and tracking technologies
Our website uses cookies to enhance functionality, security and performance.
Cookies are small text files placed on your device to improve user experience.
Necessary cookies
These cookies are required for core website functionality:
• PHPSESSID – identifies your session
• wordpress_test_cookie – ensures cookies are functioning
• wordpress_logged_in_{hash} – authenticates logged-in users
• wp-settings-[UID] – customises WordPress interface settings
• Cloudflare cookies – used to enhance security and performance
These cookies cannot be disabled without affecting site functionality.
Analytics cookies
We use Google Analytics to collect anonymised website usage data. This helps us understand visitor behaviour and improve the website.
Google Analytics does not identify individual users.
You may disable cookies through your browser settings at any time.
8. Embedded content and third-party platforms
Pages on this website may include embedded content such as:
• YouTube videos
• LinkedIn content
• Social media feeds
Embedded content behaves as if you visited the third-party website directly. Those providers may collect data about you, use cookies, and monitor your interaction.
We do not control the privacy practices of third-party platforms. We recommend reviewing their respective privacy policies.
9. Website hosting and data storage
Our website is hosted on secure servers and protected by SSL encryption.
We use Cloudflare as a content delivery network (CDN) to enhance performance and security. Cloudflare may process limited technical data, including IP addresses, for security purposes.
Client matter information is stored securely within our internal systems and cloud-based service providers, subject to professional confidentiality obligations.
Where data is stored or processed outside New Zealand, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
10. Disclosure of personal information
We do not sell personal information.
We may disclose personal information:
• To service providers assisting with IT, hosting, email or administration
• To regulators, courts or government agencies where required by law
• To third parties where authorised by you
• To comply with AML/CFT obligations
• Where necessary to protect our legal rights
All third-party providers are required to maintain appropriate confidentiality and security standards.
11. Retention of information
We retain personal information:
• For as long as necessary to provide legal services
• To meet legal, regulatory and professional obligations
• For record-keeping and compliance purposes
Website enquiry data is retained only as long as necessary for administrative purposes.
Where information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or de-identified.
12. Security measures
We implement reasonable technical and organisational safeguards including:
• SSL/HTTPS encryption
• Secure hosting infrastructure
• Firewall and CDN protection
• Restricted access to client data
• Professional confidentiality obligations
• Password-protected systems
In the event of a privacy breach, we will comply with our obligations under the Privacy Act 2020, including notification requirements where applicable.
13. Your rights
Under New Zealand privacy law, you have the right to:
• Request access to personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Withdraw consent for marketing communications
• Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner
If you request deletion of information, we may be unable to continue providing legal services where that information is required for regulatory or professional compliance.
Requests can be made using the contact details listed above.
14. Legal disclosures
We may release personal information where required by law, court order, regulatory authority, or where necessary to protect our legal rights.
15. Third-party websites
Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.
16. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The latest version will always be available on our website and will include an updated version number and effective date.