1. Who We Are

Direct Barrister Network is a Direct Access Barrister firm providing legal services to lay clients and professional clients in accordance with the Bar Standards Board (BSB) rules.

2. Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal data when you contact us, use our website, or instruct us:

• First name and last name

• Email address

• Telephone number

• Any information you voluntarily provide when making an enquiry or seeking legal services

If you instruct us, we may also collect further information necessary to provide legal advice or representation, including sensitive personal data where required (such as information relating to legal disputes or proceedings).

3. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

• Responding to enquiries and communicating with you

• Providing legal services under the Direct Access scheme

• Marketing and communications, where you have consented or where permitted by law

• Improving our services and website, including analysing user engagement and feedback

• Complying with legal and regulatory obligations, including professional rules applicable to barristers

4. Lawful Bases for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on one or more of the following lawful bases to process your personal data:

• Consent – where you have given clear permission

• Contract – where processing is necessary to provide legal services to you

• Legal obligation – where we are required to comply with the law or regulatory requirements

• Legitimate interests – where processing is necessary for the operation of our practice and does not override your rights

5. Direct Access and Data Sharing

As a Direct Access Barrister firm, we may:

• Receive information directly from you without a solicitor being involved

• Share your personal data with courts, tribunals, opposing counsel, experts, or other third parties where necessary for your matter

• Share data with solicitors or other professionals if required or if you request this

All such sharing is carried out only where lawful, necessary, and proportionate.

6. Use of Third-Party Services

We use trusted third-party services to support our website and marketing activities, including:

• Google Analytics – to analyse website usage and performance

• Google Ads – to run marketing and advertising campaigns

• Facebook / Meta Marketing – to deliver targeted advertising

These providers may process personal data in accordance with their own privacy policies.

We recommend reviewing their policies to understand how they handle your data.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

When data is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised.

8. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or disclosure.

While we strive to protect your information, please note that no method of internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, and absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

9. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you

• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data

• Request erasure of your data in certain circumstances

• Request restriction of processing

• Object to processing based on legitimate interests

• Withdraw consent at any time where consent is the basis for processing

• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at: clerks@directbarristernetwork.co.uk

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not intended for individuals under the age of 13.

We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or our practices.

Any updates will be posted on this page, and we encourage you to review it periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us.

Email: clerks@directbarristernetwork.co.uk