Privacy Policy for LEGALPANEL.IN by SG Law Associates
Last Updated: 03.08.2025
Welcome to LEGALPANEL.IN, operated by SG Law Associates, a trusted provider of comprehensive legal panel services for businesses, startups, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions worldwide. At LEGALPANEL.IN, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy ("Policy") outlines how we collect, use, store, disclose, and safeguard your data when you access our website (www.legalpanel.in), engage our legal services, or interact with us in any capacity. By using our website or services, you consent to the practices described in this Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this Policy, please refrain from using our website or engaging our services. This Policy is designed to comply with applicable data protection laws across jurisdictions and to maintain transparency with our global clientele.
1. Scope and Applicability
1.1 Purpose of this Policy: This Privacy Policy governs the collection, processing, and protection of personal data provided by users ("You," "Client," or "User") of LEGALPANEL.IN by SG Law Associates ("We," "Us," "Our," or "Firm"). It applies to all interactions through our website, email communications, phone calls, in-person meetings, and any other means related to our legal services, including but not limited to litigation, contract drafting, regulatory compliance, corporate legal support, intellectual property services, POSH compliance, taxation advisory, and industry-specific legal assistance.
1.2 Global Reach: As a firm serving a worldwide audience, we strive to comply with international data protection standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for European Union clients, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act for Indian clients, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for California residents, and other relevant laws in jurisdictions where our clients reside. Where local laws impose stricter requirements, we will adapt our practices accordingly.
1.3 Amendments to Policy: We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in legal requirements, operational practices, or technology. Updates will be effective immediately upon posting on our website, and the "Last Updated" date will reflect the latest revision. Your continued use of our website or services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.
1.4 Language: This Policy is drafted in English, which is the authoritative language for interpretation. Any translations provided are for convenience only, and the English version shall prevail in case of discrepancies.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Data: We collect personal information that identifies or relates to you as an individual or entity, including but not limited to:
Identity Data: Full name, title, gender, date of birth, and identification details (e.g., passport, driver’s license, or other government-issued IDs).
Contact Data: Email address, phone number, mailing address, and other communication details.
Professional Data: Job title, company name, industry, business address, and other professional affiliations.
Financial Data: Bank account details, payment information, billing address, and transaction history for processing fees or expenses related to our services.
Legal Data: Information related to your legal matters, such as case details, contracts, disputes, intellectual property records, and other sensitive data shared during the course of engagement.
2.2 Non-Personal Data: We may collect non-identifiable or aggregated data, such as website usage statistics, browser type, IP address, device information, and anonymized demographic data, to improve our services and website functionality.
2.3 Special Categories of Data: In certain cases, particularly for POSH compliance or employment law matters, we may collect sensitive personal data (e.g., health information, biometric data, or data revealing racial or ethnic origin) only with your explicit consent and as necessary for the legal services provided.
2.4 Sources of Data: We collect information from the following sources:
Directly from You: Through forms submitted on our website, emails, phone calls, in-person consultations, or documents provided during engagements.
Automatically: Via cookies, web beacons, and analytics tools when you visit our website, as detailed in Section 7.
Third Parties: From public records, government authorities, courts, regulatory bodies, or other parties involved in your legal matter, with your consent or as required by law.
2.5 Voluntary Submission: Providing personal data is voluntary, but failure to provide necessary information may limit our ability to deliver legal services effectively or respond to your inquiries.
3. Purpose of Data Collection and Use
3.1 Primary Purposes: We use your personal data for the following legitimate purposes:
Service Delivery: To provide legal services, including litigation support, contract drafting, regulatory compliance advisory, corporate legal assistance, intellectual property management, POSH compliance, taxation advisory, and other services listed on our website.
Client Communication: To contact you regarding case updates, billing, appointments, or other matters related to your engagement with us.
Payment Processing: To process fees, expenses, and disbursements related to our services.
Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws, court orders, regulatory requirements, or professional ethical standards (e.g., anti-money laundering checks or mandatory reporting).
Client Relationship Management: To manage and maintain records of our engagements, including conflict of interest checks and client onboarding processes.
3.2 Secondary Purposes: With your consent or as permitted by law, we may use your data for:
Marketing and Updates: To send newsletters, legal updates, event invitations, or promotional materials about our services. You may opt out of such communications at any time.
Website Improvement: To analyze website usage, enhance user experience, and improve our online presence using aggregated or anonymized data.
Training and Research: To conduct internal training, legal research, or statistical analysis, ensuring that data is anonymized where possible.
3.3 Legal Basis for Processing: We process your data based on one or more of the following legal bases, depending on the jurisdiction:
Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our obligations under the engagement agreement or to take pre-contractual steps at your request.
Consent: Where you have explicitly agreed to the processing of your data for specific purposes (e.g., marketing).
Legitimate Interest: For purposes such as improving services, fraud prevention, or internal record-keeping, provided your rights are not overridden.
Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws or regulatory mandates.
3.4 Minimization Principle: We collect and process only the data necessary for the intended purpose and retain it for the minimum period required, as detailed in Section 6.
4. Data Sharing and Disclosure
4.1 Internal Sharing: Your data may be shared within SG Law Associates among authorized personnel (e.g., lawyers, administrative staff) strictly on a need-to-know basis to provide services or manage operations. All personnel are bound by confidentiality obligations.
4.2 Third-Party Sharing: We may disclose your data to third parties under the following circumstances:
Service Providers: To trusted vendors or contractors (e.g., IT providers, payment processors, or transcription services) who assist in our operations, subject to strict confidentiality agreements and data protection measures.
Legal and Regulatory Bodies: To courts, government authorities, law enforcement agencies, or regulatory bodies when required by law, court order, or to protect our legal rights.
Collaborating Counsel: To local or international legal counsel, experts, or consultants engaged on your behalf for cross-border matters or specialized advice, with your prior knowledge or consent.
Other Parties in Legal Matters: To opposing counsel, mediators, arbitrators, or other relevant parties as necessary for dispute resolution or legal proceedings, in accordance with professional rules.
4.3 Cross-Border Transfers: As a firm with a global client base, your data may be transferred to or stored in jurisdictions outside your country of residence. We ensure such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws through mechanisms like Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), adequacy decisions, or other safeguards. By engaging our services, you consent to such cross-border data transfers.
4.4 No Sale of Data: We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties for commercial purposes. Any sharing is limited to the purposes outlined in this Policy or as required by law.
4.5 Disclosure for Legal Protection: We may disclose your data to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our clients or the public, in cases of fraud, security threats, or legal disputes, to the extent permitted by law.
5. Data Security Measures
5.1 Commitment to Security: We implement reasonable technical, organizational, and administrative measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, loss, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encryption, secure servers, access controls, regular security audits, and employee training on data protection.
5.2 Limitations of Security: While we strive to maintain robust security, no system or transmission over the internet is entirely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute protection against cyber threats, hacking, or breaches. You are encouraged to take precautions, such as using secure communication channels and protecting your devices, when sharing data with us.
5.3 Incident Notification: In the unlikely event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights or freedoms, we will notify you and relevant authorities (where required) within the timeframes mandated by applicable laws, such as 72 hours under GDPR. We will also take immediate steps to mitigate the impact and prevent recurrence.
5.4 Third-Party Responsibility: While we select third-party service providers with care, we are not responsible for their security practices or breaches unless caused by our negligence. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third parties with whom your data is shared.
6. Data Retention and Deletion
6.1 Retention Periods: We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including:
Active Engagements: Throughout the duration of your legal matter or engagement with us.
Legal Obligations: For periods required by applicable laws or regulations (e.g., tax records for 7 years in many jurisdictions).
Dispute Resolution: Until potential legal claims or disputes are resolved or barred by statutes of limitation.
Internal Records: For a reasonable period to maintain client history or comply with professional standards.
6.2 Deletion Process: Upon expiration of the retention period, or at your request (subject to legal requirements), we will securely delete or anonymize your data using industry-standard methods to ensure it cannot be recovered. Physical records will be shredded, and digital data will be permanently erased.
6.3 Exceptions: We may retain data longer if required by law, for ongoing legal proceedings, or to defend against claims. Anonymized data may be retained indefinitely for statistical or research purposes.
6.4 Retention Review: We periodically review our data retention practices to ensure compliance with minimization principles and applicable laws.
7. Cookies and Website Analytics
7.1 Use of Cookies: Our website (www.legalpanel.in) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies (e.g., web beacons, pixels) to enhance user experience, analyze traffic, and personalize content. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that collect data such as browsing behavior, IP address, and device type.
7.2 Types of Cookies: We use:
Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality (e.g., navigation, form submission).
Analytical Cookies: To monitor website performance and user behavior (e.g., Google Analytics).
Marketing Cookies: To track preferences and deliver targeted content (only with your consent).
7.3 Consent for Cookies: Upon visiting our website, you will be prompted to accept or decline non-essential cookies via a cookie banner. You can withdraw consent or adjust preferences at any time through your browser settings or our website’s cookie management tool.
7.4 Third-Party Analytics: We use third-party tools like Google Analytics to collect anonymized data about website usage. These providers may store data outside your jurisdiction, subject to their privacy policies. We ensure such providers comply with data protection standards.
7.5 Disabling Cookies: You can disable cookies via your browser settings, though this may limit website functionality. Instructions for managing cookies are available in your browser’s help section.
7.6 Do Not Track Signals: We honor "Do Not Track" signals where supported by your browser, ensuring that tracking is disabled if requested.
8. Your Rights and Choices
8.1 Data Subject Rights: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
Access: Request confirmation of whether we process your data and obtain a copy of it.
Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): Request deletion of your data, subject to legal retention obligations.
Restriction: Request limitation of processing under certain conditions (e.g., while accuracy is verified).
Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format to transmit to another controller.
Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for processing where it was the legal basis, without affecting prior lawful processing.
8.2 Exercising Your Rights: To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at sglawindia@gmail.com with your request, including your name, contact details, and specifics of the request. We will respond within the timeframes mandated by law (e.g., 30 days under GDPR) and may require identity verification for security purposes.
8.3 No Fees for Rights: Exercising your rights is generally free of charge, though we may charge a reasonable fee for repetitive, unfounded, or excessive requests, as permitted by law.
8.4 Limitations: Some rights may be limited by legal obligations, professional privileges (e.g., attorney-client privilege), or other exemptions under applicable laws. We will inform you of any such limitations when responding to your request.
8.5 Opt-Out of Marketing: You can opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our emails or contacting us at sglawindia@gmail.com. This will not affect communications related to your legal engagement.
8.6 Complaints: If you are dissatisfied with our handling of your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in your jurisdiction (e.g., the Information Commissioner’s Office in the UK, or the relevant Data Protection Authority). We encourage you to contact us first to resolve any concerns.
9. Cross-Border Data Transfers
9.1 Global Operations: As a firm serving clients worldwide, your data may be transferred to, processed, or stored in countries outside your jurisdiction, including India (where our headquarters is located) or other regions where our servers, staff, or third-party providers operate.
9.2 Safeguards for Transfers: We ensure that cross-border transfers comply with applicable data protection laws through mechanisms such as:
Adequacy Decisions: Transfers to countries recognized as providing adequate protection by relevant authorities (e.g., EU adequacy decisions).
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs): Binding agreements with recipients to ensure data protection.
Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs): Internal policies for intra-group transfers, where applicable.
9.3 Consent to Transfers: By using our services or website, you consent to the transfer of your data to jurisdictions that may have different data protection standards. We will take all reasonable steps to protect your data during such transfers.
9.4 Risk Notification: Some jurisdictions may not offer the same level of protection as your home country, and data may be subject to access by local authorities under their laws. We mitigate these risks through contractual and technical safeguards.
10. Children’s Privacy
10.1 Age Restriction: Our website and services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18 (or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
10.2 Parental Consent: If we are required to process data of a minor as part of a legal matter, we will seek verifiable parental or guardian consent before collection, in compliance with applicable laws.
10.3 Accidental Collection: If we learn that we have unintentionally collected data from a child without consent, we will delete it immediately and take steps to prevent recurrence. If you believe we have such data, please contact us at sglawindia@gmail.com.
11. Third-Party Links and Services
11.1 External Links: Our website may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services for your convenience (e.g., payment gateways, regulatory portals). We do not control or endorse these sites and are not responsible for their privacy practices, content, or security.
11.2 Third-Party Tools: We may use third-party tools or plugins (e.g., Google Analytics, social media widgets) that collect data as per their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review their policies before interacting with such tools.
11.3 Risk Disclaimer: Accessing third-party links or services is at your own risk. We are not liable for any data loss or privacy issues arising from your use of external platforms.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
12.1 Periodic Updates: We may revise this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in legal requirements, industry standards, or our practices. Updates will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.
12.2 Notification of Changes: For significant changes affecting your rights, we may notify you via email (to the address provided) or through a prominent notice on our website before the changes take effect.
12.3 Continued Use: Your continued use of our website or services after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy. If you disagree with the changes, you must cease using our services and request data deletion as per Section 8.
13. Contact Information and Support
If you have any questions, concerns, feedback, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy, our data practices, or to exercise your rights, please contact us at:
Email: sglawindia@gmail.com
Phone: +91 9597746476
Address: No.86, Convent Street, Nellithope, Puducherry, India - 605005
Website Contact Form: Available at www.legalpanel.in/contact
Our team is committed to responding to inquiries promptly, typically within 5 business days. For urgent matters related to data breaches or privacy violations, please indicate the urgency in your communication.
14. Acknowledgment and Consent
By accessing our website (www.legalpanel.in), engaging the legal services of LEGALPANEL.IN by SG Law Associates, or otherwise interacting with us, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy in its entirety. You further consent to the collection, use, storage, and disclosure of your personal data as described herein. We are dedicated to protecting your privacy while delivering exceptional legal support tailored to your needs.