Privacy policy

Protecting your privacy is a priority for CSG avocats inc.

In the performance of its professional duties, CSG avocats inc. must collect and use personal information. Whether it is for the internal processing of your file or in the performance of our duties, the confidentiality of your information is of great importance to our team.

Our data privacy policy (hereinafter referred to as “Policy”) defines the manner in which CSG avocats inc. collects, retains, uses, protects and transfers personal and confidential information. Its purpose is to provide a framework for the treatment of your personal information.

By providing us with your personal information, you consent to its processing in accordance with the Policy.

CSG avocats inc. has designated Me Amélie Charlebois as the person responsible for the protection of personal information. Me Charlebois has been a member in good standing of the Quebec Bar since 2010 and has been practicing with the firm since its inception in 2015.

Me Charlebois is available to answer any questions or comments you may have regarding our Policy and how your information is handled by the firm.

Me Amélie Charlebois
166 Wellington Street, Gatineau, Quebec

COLLECTION OF PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

In order to process your file, CSG avocats inc. will possibly need to obtain several pieces of personal information about you, including :

• Your name
• Your gender
• Your date of birth
• Your mailing address
• Your business address
• Your telephone numbers
• Your e-mail address
• Your social insurance number
• A copy of your driver’s license
• A copy of your health insurance card
• Your banking information
• Your citizenship
• Your medical data
• Your level of education / occupation
• Your marital and family status
• Your criminal record
• Your income and financial situation
• Certain contact information.

This information is collected in part when a file is opened with our firm and during the processing of your file. It may be collected in person, by telephone, by e-mail, by videoconference or via our website (csgavocats.com).

In the course of our duties, we will also collect evidence relating to your file. This information is generally transmitted to us by the following organizations:

• The Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions
• Various police forces
• SAAQ
• Revenu Québec
• Various professional orders
• Various municipalities
• Third parties

USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Information collected during the processing of a file is generally used only to provide our legal services and to comply with our legal and ethical obligations.

We use the information in particular to:

• Provide legal services;
• Review the file and provide a legal opinion;
• Validate the absence or presence of conflicts of interest;
• Make appropriate representations before the courts;
• Make appropriate representations during discussions or negotiations with the opposing party;
• Communicate with our client or any third party involved in the case;
• Communicate with the opposing party or any other party involved;
• Collect sums due and handle the financial aspects of the case, including requests for collection and proceedings for unpaid fees;
• Respond to requests sent via our website;
• Comply with our ethical and legal obligations regarding the opening of files and required customer identification;

SHARING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

In the course of its duties, CSG avocats must sometimes disclose personal information obtained by its clients to the opposing party or to third parties. Our clients’ consent to the disclosure of information is always validated prior to transmission, unless otherwise required by law. In addition, the other party receiving the personal information is generally bound by the same obligations to protect the information.

• Here are a few examples of when personal information may be disclosed:
• During negotiations with the opposing party within the scope of our mandate;
• During representations before the court as part of our mandate;
• With third parties mandated by CSG avocats inc. to perform tasks related to the handling of the file (private investigators, official stenographer, consultants, bailiffs);
• When required by law;
• In the internal handling of the file and with certain professionals hired by the firm (accountant, website, legal advisors, etc.).

LENGTH OF RETENTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

CSG avocats inc. is subject to legal data retention obligations. Thus, in accordance with our ethical duties, our clients’ personal information is destroyed seven years after the file is closed.

STORAGE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Our clients’ personal information is both physically held at our offices and hosted by PG Solutions Inc (Juris Concept).

For each file opened by our firm, the information collected and processed by CSG avocats inc. is held in a physical folder exclusive to the client and in a computerized file hosted by Juris Concept, whose servers are located in the province of Quebec and whose coordinates are as follows: 217 av. Léonidas S, Rimouski (Quebec) G5L 2T5, 888-692-1050.

Our website (www.csgavocats.com) is managed by Pixel-firme créative.

SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE

CSG avocats inc. stores the information it collects at its professional domicile and through secure technologies.

When a file is opened, a physical folder is opened and a computerized file is created.

Physical files are stored in filing cabinets and are accessible only by CSG avocats inc. personnel.

Information stored on computer media (Juris Concept, One drive) is protected by several technological security measures (strong identification and password, dual identification system, anti-virus, firewall, mandatory updates). Computerized files are accessible only by CSG avocats inc. staff members.

In accordance with our policy, personal information concerning our clients is only consulted by CSG avocats inc. personnel and only in the context of normal file processing.

All members of our team are trained and sensitive to the handling of our clients’ personal information. Both lawyers and support staff are bound by professional secrecy and the confidentiality of the information we obtain during the handling of your file.

The transmission of personal information to the opposing party, to a third party or to a professional hired by the firm for a specific service, is done only by hand or by secure technological means.

The protection of our clients’ personal information is a priority for CSG avocats inc. However, despite all the systems put in place by the firm to ensure the highest level of security for confidential information, our firm cannot guarantee to be immune to all breaches. No system can guarantee perfect reliability.

RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

As a client of CSG avocats inc. or having requested the services of our firm, you have the right to be informed of your personal information. In handling your file, our staff will answer any questions you may have about the information we hold about you.

In this context, you have the right to know:

1. What information we hold about you;
2. How we treat this information;
3. How your personal information is collected, stored, transmitted and destroyed;
4. To whom this information is transmitted and for what purpose;

Subject to our ethical obligations and to the confidentiality of certain evidence disclosed by the opposing party or a third party and to the restrictions of certain applicable laws, you have the right, upon request, to consult the information that CSG avocats inc. holds about you.

If you find that any information held by CSG avocats inc. concerning you is inaccurate, incomplete or sensitive, you may ask us to make the necessary changes to your file. Our team will make the changes to your file as soon as possible.

Subject to applicable laws and our ethical duties, you may at any time withdraw your consent to the transmission of certain personal information. You also have the right to question or challenge our handling of your personal information.

All requests, questions or disputes should be sent to the Privacy Officer, Me Amélie Charlebois, at the above address.

POLICY UPDATE

Our policy may be updated at any time. Any changes to our policy will be published.

ACCEPTANCE OF POLICY

By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its contents.