Data Protection Policy

INTRODUCTION

[This Policy (“Policy”) sets out the Data Protection Principles which [WHARF NOTARIES with registered business number 14151425] (“Business”) commits to comply with when processing personal data in the course of its business of providing notarial services.]

The Appendix contains a Glossary of the defined terms in this Policy.

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY

 The Business will ensure the protection of personal data in accordance with this Policy by the Notary, all Personnel and Suppliers.

 A breach of data protection laws by the Notary, any Personnel or Supplier could result not only in monetary penalties awarded against the Business but also negative publicity which could affect the Business as well as the entire notaries’ profession.

THE DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

 The Business shall comply with the following Data Protection Principles when processing personal data.

The Business must provide a privacy notice to each client, Personnel and Supplier to inform them of:

• the identity of the Business as Controller;
• the purposes for which their personal data are processed;
• the legal basis for processing;
• any legitimate interests pursued by the Business or a third party, if applicable;
• the recipients or categories of recipients of the personal data, if any;
• where applicable, the fact that the Business intends to transfer personal data to a third country or international organisation and the existence or absence of an adequacy decision by the relevant authority, or reference to the appropriate or suitable safeguards and the means by which to obtain a copy of them or where they have been made available;
• the period for which the personal data will be stored, or if that is not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;
• the existence of the right to request from the Controller access to and rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing concerning the data subject or to object to processing as well as the right to data portability;
• the existence of the right to withdraw consent at any time, if applicable;
• the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority;
• whether the provision of personal data is a statutory or contractual requirement, or a requirement necessary to enter into a contract, as well as whether the data subject is obliged to provide the personal data and of the possible consequences of failure to provide such data; and
• the existence of Automated Decisions, including profiling, and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

For example, such privacy notice should be included in each client engagement letter or service agreement. If no engagement letter is issued, the privacy notice can be made available on the Business website or in other appropriate and easily accessible form. If the notice is published on the website, a conspicuous link to the website or privacy notice should be included in the Business email footer or other Notary stationery to bring the notice to the data subjects’ attention.

Where a client provides personal data of third party data subjects to the Business, no notice will have to be provided to those third party data subjects by the Business if such information must remain confidential subject to an obligation of professional secrecy. To the extent that no such obligation of professional secrecy applies, the Business should place a contractual obligation on each client and Supplier to ensure that such notice is provided to those third party data subjects on behalf of the Business.

Generally, personal data must not be processed without a legal ground. In the context of the Business, personal data are typically processed on the basis that:

• processing is necessary for the performance of a contract (e.g. engagement letter) to which the data subject (e.g. the client) is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract;
• processing is necessary for the legitimate interests pursued by a client or the Business, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject. This ground may apply to the processing of the personal data of any third party data subjects whose personal data are provided by the client;
• a legal obligation to which the Business is subject and where compliance with such obligation necessitates the processing of personal data by the Business;
• the data subject consents, where such consent is procured from the client; and
• other legal grounds such as protecting the vital interests of the data subject or processing of personal data in the public interest.

The Business will typically process:

• the personal data of its clients as required for the purposes of providing its professional services and the administration of its client relationship;
• the personal data of its Personnel as required for the administration of Personnel, if applicable;
• the personal data of its Suppliers as required for the administration of its Supplier relationships, if applicable; and
• the personal data of its clients, Personnel and Suppliers as is necessary in order to comply with its legal obligations.

The Business will generally not carry out any unsolicited electronic marketing, but to the extent it does, it will have to comply with the law.

The Business should place a contractual obligation on each client to ensure that only the minimum necessary personal data is provided in connection with the professional services sought.

 Where a client provides personal data that appears excessive in connection with the professional services sought, the Business will return such personal data to the client and request that only necessary personal data is provided.

 The Business should place a contractual obligation on each client to ensure that any personal data provided in connection with the professional services sought is accurate, complete and up to date.

 The Business will endeavour to keep an accurate record of personal data in relation to its clients and Personnel.

 The Business will ensure that all Individual Rights Requests are correctly identified and appropriately responded to, subject to any applicable exemptions.

 The Business will keep all records as long as required by applicable law or as may be necessary having regard to custom, practice or the nature of the documents concerned. For example, the Notaries Practice Rules 2014 require that that notarial acts in the public form shall be preserved permanently. Records of acts not in public form shall be preserved for a minimum period of 12 years.

 Save for personal data included in records which must kept for a prescribed period or preserved permanently in compliance with any legal obligations to which the Business is subject, such as the obligation explained above, personal data shall be kept for no longer than necessary for the relevant purpose. For example, any Personnel records should be kept for no longer than 12 months following the termination of employment or contract, unless a longer retention is required under applicable law.  

 The Business will adopt the following security measures:

 Physical security measures

• ensure physical security of premises, e.g. locked office;
• keep documents in locked cabinets;

• reduce access privileges to only those needed;
• grant access to only such Personnel who need to have access in connection with their duties;
• dispose of documents using a confidential bin or through a cross cut shredder; and
• other appropriate physical security measures.

Organisational security measures

• provide training to Personnel where appropriate;

• implement a strict ban on the use of personal email for work purposes; and
• other appropriate organisational security measures.

Technical security measures

• firewalls which are properly configured and using the latest software;
• regular patch management and OS updates;
• real-time protection anti-virus, anti-malware and anti-spyware software;

• data backup; and
• other appropriate technical security measures.

The Business will comply with Policy: Appointing Suppliers.

 The Business will implement appropriate governance processes as set out in this Policy.

GOVERNANCE PROCESSES

In order to ensure that the Data Protection Principles are implemented the Business shall adopt the following governance processes. 

1. Documented Policies

 In order to ensure compliance with Data Protection Principle 9 (Accountability), the Business shall comply with this Policy and implement such other data protection policies and establish internal governance processes from time to time as may be required in order to operate the Business in compliance with data protection laws.

1. Assurance

 The Business will ensure, by way of training or otherwise, that Personnel carry out their tasks in a way that will ensure compliance with data protection laws. Each member of Personnel and each Supplier shall have access to this Policy and it shall have an obligation to comply with it.

 Each Supplier will have to comply with data protection obligations in accordance with its service agreement including, where appropriate, a data processing agreement.

 The Business shall periodically review this Policy and other policies to ensure that they continue to comply with the relevant legal requirements.

1. Advice

 Where necessary the Business shall seek advice in order to ensure that its processes comply with data protection laws.

1. Third Parties

 The Business shall comply with Policy: Appointing Suppliers in relation to appointing any third party contractor or supplier who will process personal data on behalf of the Business.

1. Data Protection Impact Assessments

 The Business shall implement a process so that any processing which is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals is subject to a documented Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), to assess the risks associated with the proposed processing and identify any safeguards which should be put in place to mitigate those risks. The Business shall maintain a record of each DPIA.

1. Record-keeping

 The Business will implement a process to maintain an up-to-date documented record of its processing activities by way of adding relevant information in the Notary register or by other appropriate means. This record should include a general description of the following: 

Although it is envisaged that the Business will act as Controller in most cases, where the Business processes personal data on behalf of another person the Business will make sure to maintain a record of its activities as a Processor and/or Controller. This record should include a general description of the following: 

• The identity of the Business and contact details.
• The categories of processing carried out on behalf of the third party.
• Any transfers outside the UK.
• Where possible, a general description of the technical and organisational security measures in place.

1. Privacy By Design

 When implementing a new processing activity, tool or functionality involved in the processing of personal data, the Business will ensure, by contractual means or otherwise, that such activity, tool or functionality is designed and built in a way that allows me to comply with the Data Protection Principles.

1. Complaint handling

The Business shall implement a process to receive and handle enquiries and complaints from individuals and the supervisory authorities concerning the processing of personal data.

 The Business shall ensure that all enquiries and complaints are dealt with in a timely manner, in compliance with any applicable statutory deadlines.

Last updated December 2024

APPENDIX: GLOSSARY