Privacy statement

The legalservicesboard.org.uk site is managed by the Legal Services Board. This page explains:

what information we collect;
how to ask about personal information we hold about you.

This website contains links to other websites. This privacy statement applies only to our site.

What information do we collect?

This website collects aggregate statistics about how many visits we receive, which browsers and operating systems are used and the like. The information obtained is used to make the site better, and will not be used to identify you personally.

When someone visits our website we collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to the various parts of the LSB’s website. We collect this information in a way which does not identify anyone. We do not make any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website.

We use Google Analytics to help analyse use of our website. This analytical tool uses 'cookies', which are text files placed on your computer, to collect standard internet log information and visitor behaviour information in an anonymous form. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) is transmitted to Google. This information is then used to evaluate visitors’ use of the website and to compile statistical reports on website activity for the LSB.

The LSB will not (and will not allow any third party) to use the statistical analytics tool to track or to collect any personally identifiable information of visitors to our site. We will not associate any data gathered from this site with any personally identifying information from any source as part of our use of the Google statistical analytics tool. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. Neither the LSB nor Google will link, or seek to link, an IP address with the identity of a computer user.

The search engine on our website is powered by Google Custom Search. Search requests are handled by Google. Google’s privacy policy is available from http://www.google.com/privacypolicy.html.

If we do want to collect personally identifiable information through our website, we will be upfront about this. We will make it clear when we collect personal information and will explain what we intend to do with it.

For further information about cookies, the Law firm Pinsent Masons maintains the pages of aboutcookies.org, which has answers to some frequently asked questions. The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) is an industry body that develops standard and guidelines to support online business processes.

Cookies can be turned off in your browser.

Asking for details of personal information held

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, and subject to certain defined exceptions, you are entitled to be told whether we hold any personal information about you. If we do, you are entitled:

to be told what personal information we hold about you, why we hold it and what we are doing (or planning to do) with it, and who else we disclose that information to; and
to be given a copy of that information, and any information about the source(s) of it.

If you want to know whether we hold personal information about you and, if so what it is, you will need to write to us to make a request. This is known as a ‘subject access request’.

The Act also gives you other rights. Further information about your rights and how to enforce them is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office website. The ICO’s Personal Information Toolkit is particularly helpful as a resource.

Fees

The LSB may charge up to £10 for each request made. We will advise you if and where a fee is payable once you make a request.

Making a subject access request

You can submit your request to the Board Secretary by e-mail (board.secretary@legalservicesboard.org.uk) or to the following address:

Board Secretary
Legal Services Board
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London WC1B 4AD

If you require any assistance in completing your request for information, you may direct your request for assistance to, e-mail: board.secretary@legalservicesboard.org.uk or telephone: 020 7271 0070.

Complaints procedure

If you are dissatisfied with the LSB’s response to your request for information (including a decision to charge a fee) you may discuss the decision with the person who dealt with your request. However, if this informal discussion does not resolve your complaint, you may submit your complaint in writing to the LSB’s Chief Executive, either by e-mail to chris.kenny@legalservicesboard.org.uk or by post to the following address:

Chief Executive
Legal Services Board
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London WC1B 4AD

The Chief Executive will consider your complaint, and will confirm, reverse or amend the decision. He will advise you in writing of the outcome of your complaint.

If you are dissatisfied with the Chief Executive’s decision, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision as to whether the LSB has dealt with your request for information in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. An application may be made to the Information Commissioner’s Office by post to the following address:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Casework and Advice Division
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane, Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

The Information Commissioner’s telephone help line is 08456 306060 or 01625 545745. The ICO’s website is www.ico.gov.uk. Information on complaints can be accessed at: http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/data_protection.aspx.

Changes to this statement

If this privacy statement changes in any way, we will place an updated version on this page.

Regularly reviewing this page ensures you are always aware of the information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we will share it with other parties.

Version: 2.0 September 2009