Privacy Policy | Mikhail Charles | Barrister | London & Caribbean

1. Introduction

This privacy policy explains how I, Mikhail Charles, collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you use this website (www.mikhailcharles.com) or engage my services as a barrister.

I am committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and other applicable data protection legislation.

I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as a data controller.

ICO Registration Number: ZB334481

2. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:

Mikhail Charles Barrister 5 Pump Court Chambers Temple London EC4Y 7AP

Email: mikhail.a.x.charles@gmail.com Telephone: +44 7832 462364

3. Personal Data I Collect

3.1 Website Visitors

When you visit this website, I may collect:

Technical data: IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system and platform, and other technology on the devices you use to access this website
Usage data: information about how you use this website, including pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths

3.2 Enquiries and Contact

When you contact me through the website, by email, or by telephone, I may collect:

Identity data: name, title, professional capacity
Contact data: email address, telephone number, postal address
Communication data: the content of your correspondence with me

3.3 Professional Instructions

When you instruct me as a barrister (whether directly or through solicitors), I may collect and process:

Identity data: full name, date of birth, nationality, identification documents
Contact data: address, email, telephone numbers
Case data: all information relevant to your legal matter, which may include sensitive personal data (see section 4 below)
Financial data: billing information, payment details, legal aid references
Professional data: details of instructing solicitors and other professionals involved in your matter

4. Special Category Data

In the course of providing legal services, I may process special category data (sensitive personal data), which may include:

Racial or ethnic origin
Political opinions
Religious or philosophical beliefs
Trade union membership
Genetic or biometric data
Health data
Data concerning sex life or sexual orientation
Criminal convictions and offences data

Such data is processed only where necessary for the establishment, exercise, or defence of legal claims, or where you have given explicit consent.

5. How I Use Your Personal Data

5.1 Lawful Bases for Processing

I process your personal data on the following lawful bases:

PurposeLawful Basis

Responding to enquiriesLegitimate interests (responding to potential clients)

Providing legal servicesPerformance of a contract; legal obligation

Complying with professional and regulatory obligationsLegal obligation; legitimate interests

Processing special category data for legal claimsSubstantial public interest (administration of justice); establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims

Website analyticsLegitimate interests (improving website functionality)

Marketing (where applicable)Consent

5.2 Purposes of Processing

I use your personal data to:

Respond to your enquiries about my services
Provide legal advice and representation
Communicate with you about your matter
Comply with my professional obligations to the Bar Standards Board, the courts, and other regulatory bodies
Comply with anti-money laundering and other legal obligations
Administer billing and payments
Maintain records as required by law and professional regulations
Improve my website and services

6. Data Sharing

6.1 Categories of Recipients

I may share your personal data with:

Chambers: 5 Pump Court Chambers (for clerking and administrative purposes)
Instructing solicitors: where instructions are received through a solicitor
Courts and tribunals: as required for the conduct of legal proceedings
Other legal professionals: counsel, experts, and other professionals involved in your matter
Regulatory bodies: the Bar Standards Board, the Legal Ombudsman, and other regulators where required
Third-party service providers: IT support, cloud storage providers, and other service providers who process data on my behalf
Law enforcement and public authorities: where required by law or to protect legal rights

6.2 International Transfers

I may transfer personal data outside the United Kingdom where necessary for the provision of legal services in other jurisdictions. Where I do so, I ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

Transfers to countries with adequate data protection laws
Standard contractual clauses approved by the ICO
Other appropriate safeguards under UK GDPR

Given my practice across the Caribbean and international financial centres, transfers may occur to jurisdictions including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the British Virgin Islands, and other Eastern Caribbean territories.

7. Data Security

I implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, or damage. These measures include:

Encryption of electronic data
Secure storage of physical documents
Access controls and authentication
Regular security assessments
Confidentiality obligations on any persons who access personal data

8. Data Retention

I retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, taking into account:

Legal and regulatory requirements: I am required to retain certain records for specified periods under professional regulations and limitation periods
Professional indemnity insurance: I retain records for the duration of any applicable limitation period for professional negligence claims (typically 15 years from the date of the act or omission)
Ongoing legal proceedings: data relating to legal proceedings is retained for the duration of those proceedings and any subsequent appeals or related matters

Retention Periods

Data TypeRetention Period

Case files and records15 years from conclusion of matter (or longer if proceedings ongoing)

Financial records7 years

Correspondence7 years from conclusion of matter

Website analytics26 months

9. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

9.1 Right of Access

You have the right to request a copy of the personal data I hold about you.

9.2 Right to Rectification

You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

9.3 Right to Erasure

You have the right to request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances, although this right does not apply where I am required to retain data for legal or regulatory purposes.

9.4 Right to Restrict Processing

You have the right to request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.

9.5 Right to Data Portability

You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format in certain circumstances.

9.6 Right to Object

You have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.

9.7 Rights Related to Automated Decision-Making

You have the right not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing that produce legal or similarly significant effects.

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact me at:

Email: mikhail.a.x.charles@gmail.com Post: Mikhail Charles, 5 Pump Court Chambers, Temple, London EC4Y 7AP

I will respond to your request within one month. There is no fee for making a request, although I may charge a reasonable fee or refuse to act on a request if it is manifestly unfounded or excessive.

10. Cookies

This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and analyse website traffic.

Types of Cookies Used

Cookie TypePurpose

Essential cookiesRequired for the website to function properly

Analytics cookiesHelp me understand how visitors interact with the website

Preference cookiesRemember your preferences and settings

Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of this website.

For more information about cookies, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

11. Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. I encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

12. Children

This website and my legal services are not directed at children under the age of 18. I do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe I have collected personal data from a child, please contact me immediately.

13. Changes to This Policy

I may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in my practices or applicable law. The updated policy will be posted on this website with the date of the last update. I encourage you to review this policy periodically.

14. Complaints

If you have concerns about how I handle your personal data, please contact me in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with my response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office:

Information Commissioner's Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113 Website: www.ico.org.uk

15. Contact

For any questions about this privacy policy or my data protection practices, please contact: