Privacy policy

Effective date: 10 July 2026

Canterbury Legal is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, professionalism and respect.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information when you contact us, use our website, subscribe to our newsletter, download a resource, complete an enquiry form, or become a client of the firm.

1. Who we are

Canterbury Legal is a Christchurch-based law firm providing legal services to individuals, families, businesses, property owners, trustees and organisations.

In this policy, “Canterbury Legal”, “we”, “us” and “our” refers to Canterbury Legal Limited and its related people, directors, employees and contractors.

2. What personal information we collect

We may collect personal information such as:

• your name;

• contact details, including email address, phone number and postal address;

• information you provide through our website, forms, emails, phone calls or meetings;

• details about your legal matter or enquiry;

• identity verification information;

• billing and payment information;

• information needed to meet our legal and professional obligations;

• website usage information, including cookies, analytics and advertising data.

We only collect information where it is reasonably necessary for our work, our relationship with you, or our legal obligations.

3. How we collect information

We may collect personal information when you:

• contact us by phone, email, website form or in person;

• become a client of Canterbury Legal;

• subscribe to LegalChat or another update from us;

• download a guide, checklist or resource;

• attend an event or webinar;

• respond to advertising or marketing campaigns;

• use our website;

• interact with us on social media.

We may also collect information from third parties where appropriate, including agents, brokers, accountants, government agencies, courts, other lawyers, referrers, publicly available sources, and verification providers.

4. Why we collect and use personal information

We may use your personal information to:

• respond to your enquiry;

• assess whether we can assist you;

• provide legal services;

• manage client files;

• verify identity and meet anti-money laundering or other compliance requirements;

• communicate with you;

• send invoices and process payments;

• manage conflicts of interest;

• comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations;

• improve our website, services and client communications;

• send newsletters, updates or marketing where permitted;

• measure the effectiveness of our campaigns and website.

Providing information to us through an enquiry form does not automatically create a solicitor-client relationship. However, we will still treat information you provide with appropriate care and confidentiality.

5. Legal services and confidentiality

When we act for you, information relating to your matter may be subject to professional duties of confidentiality and legal professional privilege.

We handle client information in accordance with our obligations as a New Zealand law firm, including our professional duties under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 and the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008.

6. Marketing communications

If you subscribe to LegalChat, download a resource, complete an enquiry form, or otherwise opt in to receive updates, we may send you legal updates, newsletters, invitations or other communications.

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link in the email or by contacting us directly.

We will not sell your personal information to third parties.

7. Website cookies and analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, understand visitor behaviour, measure website performance and support advertising.

We may use tools such as Google Analytics 4, Google Ads conversion tracking, Meta Pixel, Google Search Console, website forms and other analytics or marketing tools.

These tools may collect information such as:

• pages visited;

• time spent on the website;

• referral source;

• device and browser information;

• approximate location;

• interactions with forms, buttons or advertisements.

You can disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website features may not work as intended.

8. Google Ads, remarketing and campaign tracking

We may use online advertising platforms, including Google Ads and Meta, to promote our services and measure campaign performance.

This may involve cookies, pixels or conversion tracking that helps us understand whether someone who saw or clicked an advertisement later contacted us, submitted a form, called our office, or visited a relevant page on our website.

Where possible, we use aggregated or de-identified reporting. We do not use advertising tools to access the content of your legal enquiry.

9. Third-party providers

We use trusted third-party providers to help operate our business and provide our services. These may include providers of:

• legal practice management software;

• email and document storage;

• website hosting;

• website security;

• analytics and advertising tools;

• payment and accounting systems;

• identity verification;

• email marketing;

• IT support.

Examples may include OneLaw, Microsoft 365, Google, Cloudflare, website hosting providers, email marketing platforms and accounting software.

These providers may store or process information on our behalf. We take reasonable steps to ensure they handle information securely and appropriately.

10. Overseas storage and disclosure

Some of our technology providers may store or process information outside New Zealand. This may include cloud-based systems used for email, document storage, analytics, website security, hosting, advertising or software support.

Where personal information is disclosed or stored overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate privacy safeguards are in place, consistent with the Privacy Act 2020.

11. How we protect personal information

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, unauthorised access, misuse, disclosure, alteration or destruction.

This may include:

• secure practice management systems;

• password protection and access controls;

• secure email and cloud services;

• website security tools;

• staff confidentiality obligations;

• file management procedures;

• regular review of security practices.

No method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, but we take privacy and confidentiality seriously.

12. How long we keep information

We keep personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose it was collected, including to provide legal services, maintain client records, comply with legal and professional obligations, resolve disputes, and manage our business.

Client files may be retained for a period required by law, professional standards or our internal policies.

When information is no longer required, we may securely delete, destroy or anonymise it.

13. Accessing and correcting your information

You have the right to request access to personal information we hold about you and to ask for it to be corrected if it is wrong or incomplete.

To make a request, please contact us using the details below.

We may need to verify your identity before responding. In some circumstances, we may be unable to provide access to certain information, for example where legal privilege, confidentiality obligations or other legal restrictions apply.

14. Privacy breaches

If we become aware of a privacy breach that has caused, or is likely to cause, serious harm, we will take appropriate steps in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. This may include notifying affected individuals and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner where required.

15. Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

16. Contacting us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to access or correct your personal information, or want to raise a privacy concern, please contact:

Canterbury Legal

Post: PO Box 22 115, Christchurch 8140

Phone: 03 377 0792 

Email: admin@canterburylegal.co.nz

You may also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner if you are not satisfied with our response.

17. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will be published on our website with the effective date shown above.