Burns Fitzpatrick recognizes the importance of privacy and recognizes the sensitivity of personal information received by us in the course of our legal practice and will make reasonable efforts to protect that personal information.

The Personal Information Protection Act (“the Act”) regulates the way private sector organizations within British Columbia collect, use, keep, secure and disclose personal information.

In addition to the Act we have professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of our clients’ information, including those set out by The Law Society of British Columbia.

Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

By retaining this firm for legal advice or representation, an individual consents to our necessary collection, use or disclosure of the individual’s personal information in order to properly advise and represent the individual. Our retainer agreement may contain additional terms regarding Personal Information.

Security of Information and Electronic Communications and Software

During the course of our engagement, we may exchange electronic versions of documents and e-mails using commercially available software. Unfortunately, all technology is vulnerable to attack by hackers, viruses and other destructive electronic programs. As a result, while we have sought to take countermeasures, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your personal information. Additionally, our system may occasionally reject a communication you send to us, or we may send you something that is rejected by your system. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee that all communications and documents will always be received, or that such communications and documents will always be virus free, and we make no warranty with respect to any electronic communications between us and you consent to our exchange of electronic communications, including confidential documents, unencrypted.

Requests for Access to Personal Information

The Act permits individuals to submit written requests to us to provide them with:

  • their personal information under our custody or control;
  • information about how their personal information under our control has been and is being used by us;
  • the names of the individuals and organizations to whom their personal information under our control has been disclosed by us.

All requests may be subject to any fees and disbursements the law permits us to charge.
An individual’s ability to access his or her personal information under our control is not absolute. The Act provides that circumstances in which we are not allowed to or not required to disclose personal information.

Requests for Correction of Personal Information

The law permits individuals to submit written requests to us to correct errors or omissions in their personal information that is in our custody or control.

Contacting or Communicating with Us

If you have any questions with respect to our policies concerning the handling of your personal information, or if you wish to request access to, or correction of, your personal information under our care and control, please contact us at firm@burnsfitz.com.