This policy explains how Avenue Lawyers collects, uses, shares and protects personal information, and how you can see or correct what we hold about you. We follow the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.
Who this policy covers
Anyone whose information reaches us: clients, people who enquire, visitors to this site and others involved in a matter.
In this policy, “we”, “us” and “Avenue” mean Avenue Lawyers of Level 9, 88 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. “You” means anyone whose personal information we handle, including the other side in a matter, witnesses, referrers and people who apply to work with us.
What we collect
Only what we need to advise you and run your matter.
Depending on the matter, that can include:
your name, address, phone number, email and date of birth;
proof of identity, which the law requires before we act for you;
the facts of your matter, and the documents you give us or we obtain for you;
the financial details we need for fees, settlements and trust account payments;
sensitive information, such as health or family details, but only when your matter needs it and you agree.
You can contact us without giving your name. We’ll need to know who you are before we can act for you.
How we collect it
Mostly from you, directly. Sometimes from others, with your knowledge.
We collect information when you call, email or meet us, fill in a form on this site, or send us documents. We may also collect it from courts, government registers, other parties and their lawyers, experts, and people you refer us to. When we collect information about you from someone else, we’ll tell you, unless the law or the matter makes that inappropriate.
How we use it
To advise you, run your matter and keep our records. Nothing else without your consent.
We use personal information to:
check for conflicts of interest before we act;
give legal advice and act for you;
bill you and manage our trust account;
meet our duties under the Legal Profession Uniform Law and other laws;
send you updates you’ve asked for, which you can stop at any time.
We don’t sell personal information, and we don’t use it for anyone else’s marketing.
Where it’s stored
In Australia wherever we can, and to the same standard when we can’t.
Our files are kept in secure cloud systems. Some providers, such as email and video-call services, may store or back up data in other countries, including the United States. Before we use a provider, we check that it protects personal information in a way that’s substantially similar to the Australian Privacy Principles.
How we keep it safe
Limited access, strong sign-in and people bound by confidentiality.
We use access controls, multi-factor sign-in, encryption and secure backups. Only the people working on your matter can open your file. Paper documents stay in locked storage, and everyone at Avenue is bound by our duty of confidentiality.
How long we keep it
Seven years after your matter closes. Then we destroy it securely.
We keep a closed file for at least seven years, because the law requires it. We hold original documents, such as wills and title deeds, for as long as you ask us to. When we no longer need information, we destroy it or remove anything that identifies you.
Seeing and correcting your information
Ask, and we’ll send you a copy of what we hold within 30 days.
You can ask for the personal information we hold about you, and ask us to correct anything that’s wrong, out of date or incomplete. Asking costs nothing. In rare cases the law lets us refuse, for example where access would breach someone else’s privacy or legal professional privilege. If so, we’ll explain why in writing.
This website and cookies
This site counts visits. It doesn’t follow you around the web.
We use analytics to see which pages are read, so we can improve them. They record things like the pages viewed and the type of device, not who you are. If you send us a message through this site, we use what you send to reply. You can set your browser to refuse cookies, and the site will still work.
If something goes wrong
We’ll tell you quickly, and tell the regulator when the law requires it.
If a data breach is likely to cause you serious harm, we’ll notify you and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme. We’ll tell you what happened, what we’re doing about it and what you can do to protect yourself.
Questions and complaints
Write to our privacy officer. If you’re not happy with the answer, you can go to the OAIC.
Send privacy questions or complaints to our privacy officer at privacy@avenuelawyers.com.au, or by post to Level 9, 88 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. We’ll acknowledge your complaint within two working days and aim to resolve it within 30 days.
If you’re not satisfied, you can complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Changes to this policy
When this policy changes, we update this page and its date.
This policy was last updated on 26 October 2026. If a change affects how we use information we already hold, we’ll tell our current clients directly.
