Privacy Policy

Statement

Abridge Mediation is committed to using your personal information in a responsible and respectful manner in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principle (‘APP’) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (‘Privacy Act’).

What is personal information?

Personal information is information or an opinion relating to a person or entity that can be used to identify that person or identity.  On the other hand, sensitive information is a subset of personal information and includes information or opinion about an individual’s race or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, gender diversity, sexual preferences, criminal record, health record or professional or trade association memberships.

Abridge Mediation does not collect, use, or disclose sensitive information about you unless

• it is allowed by law
• is in circumstances where it is required while providing services to you
• or you consent.

Sensitive information will only be used and disclosed for the purpose for which it was provided or a directly related secondary purpose. 

What kinds of information does Abridge Mediation collect?

Abridge Mediation collects and holds information such as names, addresses, contact details, occupations, and other information that assists us with providing services to you and complies with our obligations to you.

You can change your details at any time by advising us in writing by email.

How does Abridge Mediation collect personal information? 

Abridge Mediation generally collects personal information directly from you or your authorised representative.  This may be by way of forms completed by you and sent to us, meetings or conversations with you, emails, and occasionally by third parties such as a report from a doctor or other professional.

How does Abridge Mediation collect and use information from our website? 

If you visit http://www.abridgemediation.com.au to read, browse or download information, our system may record information such as the date and time of your visit to the website, the pages accessed, and any information downloaded.  This information is anonymous and is used for statistical, reporting and website administration and maintenance purposes only. 

We may collect information about you through the website when you:

• register or update an online profile which may include personal information such as your name or address
• submit electronic forms requesting us to provide services or take actions
• submit messages or comments

How does Abridge Mediation use cookies?

Like many websites, Abridge Mediation may use cookies from time to time.  A cookie is a small file placed in your web browser that collects information about your web browsing behaviour.  Cookies do not access information stored on your computer or any personal information and will not be used to identify you unless required by law, or where the website is accessed via links sent to you in an email we have sent which specifically refers to the fact that clicking on links may be tracked.

How does Abridge Mediation protect the security of your information?

While we take great care to protect your personal information on our website, no data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed to be secure.  However, we strive to ensure the security, integrity and privacy of personal information submitted to our website, and we update security measures regularly to ensure we are using the latest technologies.

Please note that in some emergencies or law enforcement situations, government agencies may have authority to review our website server records.

The Abridge Mediation website contains links to other sites.  Abridge Mediation cannot be responsible for the privacy practices or policies of those sites.

When and to whom might Abridge Mediation disclose your personal information?

From time to time Abridge Mediation may need to disclose certain information, including your personal data, to comply with a legal requirement, such as a law, regulation, court order, subpoena, warrant, during a legal proceeding or in response to a law enforcement agency request.

We may disclose your personal information to other entities or individuals who assist us in providing services or who perform functions on our behalf (such as barristers, medical practitioners, valuers, courts, and tribunals) or to any authority or government agency, and anyone else to whom you authorise us to disclose it. We also collect personal information from these organisations and individuals, and deal with that information in accordance with this policy.

Abridge Mediation will never sell or deal in personal or customer information.  We will never disclose your personal details to a third party except the necessary information required by providers of products or services you have engaged us to provide or to protect the rights, property or safety of Abridge Mediation, our clients or third parties, or if required by law.

Will Abridge Mediation disclose personal information to overseas recipients?

Abridge Mediation may need to disclose information to entities or persons overseas. We may not always be able to take reasonable steps to ensure that they do not breach the Privacy Act and they may not be subject to the same obligations to protect personal information as applies in Australia by virtue of the Privacy Act.

When responding to requests for information from foreign governments, regulators, law enforcement agencies or third parties, Abridge Mediation will act in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principals, Chapter 8, Cross-border disclosure of personal information.

When disclosing personal information to an overseas recipient as required or authorised by law, Abridge Mediation may disclose personal information to an overseas recipient without complying with APP 8.1 where the disclosure is authorised by or under an Australian law or a court/tribunal order’ (APP 8.2(c)).

Abridge Mediation cannot rely on a requirement or authorisation in an overseas jurisdiction.

The following are examples of where a law or order may require or authorise disclosure of personal information to an overseas recipient: 

• Abridge Mediation is required to disclose personal information to the government of a foreign country under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth)
• The firm is required to disclose personal information to an overseas recipient under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 (Cth) or the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 (Cth) 

By continuing to acquire our services and/or products you consent to us disclosing information and agree that you cannot claim relief from us, and you may not have any right of action against the overseas recipient of the information.

Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme

Abridge Mediation is committed to protecting personal data in accordance with the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme (included in the Privacy Act in 2017).  The policy provides guidelines for any data breach incident, including initial alerting procedures, a response and assessment workflow for the Cyber Security Breach Team, including internal and public notification processes.

Should an eligible data breach event occur which is likely to result in serious harm to any person, all affected parties will be contacted as soon as practicable and advised of the confirmed breach.  Abridge Mediation has up to 30 days to complete an inquiry into any incident and is dedicated to maintaining open communication during this time to assist others to take precautionary activities.  Clients will liaise with Principal of Abridge Mediation for ongoing updates and information regarding remedial actions during the assessment. On completion, a full summary of the findings will be available with any public notification statement that may be required.

What are your rights?

You have the right to:

• be forgotten
• access your personal information
• request an update to or correction of your personal information
• request the processing of your personal information be restricted
• data portability

How can you access your personal information?

Subject to the exceptions set out in the Privacy Act, you may seek access to the personal information held by Abridge Mediation about you by contacting the principal.  We will respond to your request within 30 days and may require you to verify your identity and to specify what information you require.  We may charge you a fee for providing access depending upon the time taken to locate, collate and provide the information requested by you. You will be advised of the cost, if any, in advance.  In certain circumstances we may not be required by law to provide access to or to correct personal information.  If that is the case, we will give you our reasons for that decision.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

As Abridge Mediation plans to ensure this privacy policy remains current, the policy is subject to change.  We may modify the policy at any time, in our sole discretion and all modifications will be effective immediately upon posting the changes on this website.

Complaints procedure

Abridge Mediation’s complaints handling process is managed by Resolution Institute.  Resolution Institute’s contact details are as follows:

• Phone: (02) 9251 3366
• Email: infoaus@resolution.institute