PRIVACY POLICY

Last updated: November 12, 2025

Welcome to the PortaLaw Privacy Policy!

This Privacy Policy explains how we handle your personal information. We handle personal information according to the privacy laws applicable to us, including the Personal Information Protection Act (BC).

By providing personal information to us, or otherwise accessing our website, you consent to us handling your personal information according to this Privacy Policy. If you sign a separate agreement with PortaLaw concerning our services, then that agreement will govern to the extent of any conflict with this Privacy Policy.

We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on our website with the new date.

1. What Personal Information We Collect

As part of our services, we must collect information from individuals relating to their legal matters. This is not limited to just clients of ours, but also includes potential clients reaching out to our firm for consultation. The information we collect will necessarily include personal information. The type of personal information we collect may include, but is not limited to:

  • your first and last name;

  • your date of birth;

  • contact details such as your address, phone number, and email address;

  • government issued identification such as your driver’s license or passport;

  • billing information;

  • your employment information;

  • documents related to your legal matter; and

  • technical information such as details of visits to our website, or information collected through any cookies on our website.

When we collect personal information, we will make reasonable efforts to ensure that: (a) it is accurate and complete; and (b) we collect only the minimum amount that is required in order to achieve the purposes listed in this Privacy Policy.

2. How We Collect Personal Information

We may collect personal information in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to:

  • As provided by or collected from you: when you contact us, request legal services, or access our website. This may include: (a) information that you provide when you fill out a form on our website, such as booking a meeting with us, or subscribing to our newsletters; and (b) automatic collection of information about how you interact with our website, such as such as your Internet protocol (IP) address, browser and operating system type, referring URLs, and other technical information.

  • As created by us: if you are engaged as a client of our firm, we may create documents or notes pertaining to your legal matter that contain personal information.

  • As received from others: we may receive personal information about you from third parties, such as opposing counsel, courts, and government agencies.

3. How We Use Personal Information

We may use personal information:

  • to provide and manage our services and website;

  • to communicate with you about your matter;

  • to meet our legal and professional obligations;

  • to contact you about updates to our services, website and legal-related matters;

  • to improve our services and website, including their security;

  • to detect, prevent, mitigate and investigate any illegal activities relating to the use of our services and website; and

  • for any other purpose as permitted by applicable law.

4. Sharing Personal Information

We may share personal information with others in order to fulfill the purposes for which we collected it, and otherwise as permitted by applicable law. We may share your personal information with:

  • courts, tribunals, regulators, or other legal professionals involved in your matter;

  • service providers who require such information in order to help us run our business (such as IT or accounting support), and who are required to protect the information;

  • acquirers or financiers of our firm in a merger, acquisition or debt financing transaction; and

  • others, if required by applicable law or to protect your legal rights.

We limit the sharing of personal information to what is reasonably necessary in the circumstances. Where required by applicable law, we ensure that the recipients are required to protect the confidentiality of such information.

In some cases, personal information may be processed and stored outside of Canada, and therefore may be available to authorities under lawful orders and laws applicable there.

5. Protecting Personal Information

We use physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect personal information against loss, misuse, or unauthorized access. These measures include secure file storage and staff training on confidentiality procedures. We make reasonable security arrangements that are appropriate to the sensitivity of the information in our control. However, no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. So, while we use reasonable measures to safeguard your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. How Long We Keep Personal Information

We keep your personal information only as long as necessary for legal, regulatory, or business reasons. When it’s no longer needed, we securely destroy it. We are not responsible for any loss you experience as a result of our disposal of personal information.

7. Use of Website Cookies

We may use cookies to collect information on visits to our website. If you do not wish to accept cookies, you have the option of blocking or disabling cookies on your browser. Your computer provides you with the ability to clear all cookies that have been stored onto your hard drive, should you wish to do so. However, please be aware that you may be unable to access certain parts of the website if you block or disable cookies.

8. Personal Information Rights

You have the right to:

  • request access to your personal information, including how your personal information is collected, use and disclosed;

  • request the correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information; and

  • withdraw your consent to our handling of your personal information.

These rights are not absolute nor exhaustive, meaning that: (a) they may be limited in certain circumstances under applicable law; and (b) you may be entitled to additional rights relating to your personal information under applicable law. We will respond to any request to exercise your rights in accordance with legally required timelines. We may require verification of your identity in order to fulfill any such requests. Please note that if you withdraw your consent to our handling of your personal information, then this will prevent us from providing our services to you.

9. Contact Us

If you wish to exercise any rights, unsubscribe from our e-mail newsletters, or if you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact our privacy officer at hello@portalaw.ca.