Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for www.lawriematthews.com

Effective Date: 1st August 2025

At www.lawriematthews.com ("we," "our," "us"), we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

By using our website, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of data:

a) Personal Data You Provide

• Name, email address, phone number, and other details you provide via contact forms, subscriptions, or account registration. 
• Any information shared when corresponding with us. 

b) Automatically Collected Data

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address, browser type, operating system, and device details.
• Usage data, including pages visited, time spent, and navigation paths.
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 6).
  

2. Legal Bases for Processing

We process your personal data under one or more of the following legal bases:

• Consent – where you have given clear consent (e.g., subscribing to a newsletter). 
• Contract – where processing is necessary to provide a service you request.
• Legal obligation – where we are required to comply with law.
• Legitimate interests – where processing is necessary for our business purposes, provided your rights are not overridden.
   

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for purposes such as:

• Responding to inquiries and providing services. 
• Sending updates, newsletters, or marketing communications (where consent is given).
• Improving website functionality, performance, and content.
• Complying with legal and regulatory obligations.
  

4. Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share data with:

• Service providers who support our operations (e.g., hosting, analytics, email services). 
• Legal authorities where required by law or to protect our rights.
• Business successors in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale.
  

5. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by law.

6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tools to:

• Improve site functionality and user experience. 
• Analyse traffic and performance.
• Personalise content where applicable.
   

You can adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies. Note: some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

7. Your Data Protection Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

• Access – request a copy of your personal data.
• Rectification – request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure – request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten").
• Restriction – request limits on how we process your data.
• Portability – request transfer of your data to another service.
• Objection – object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
• Withdraw consent – withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent).
   

To exercise your rights, contact us (see Section 9).

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): www.ico.org.uk.

8. Security of Your Information

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard your personal data. However, no online transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us:

Email: Lawrie@lawriematthews.com
Website: www.lawriematthews.com

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Effective Date.”

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Cookie Policy for www.lawriematthews.com

Effective Date: 1st August 2025

This Cookie Policy explains how www.lawriematthews.com ("we," "our," "us") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website.

By using our site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy (unless you disable them in your browser settings or via our cookie banner).

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites work properly, remember your preferences, and improve user experience.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

We may use the following categories of cookies:

• Strictly Necessary Cookies
  Required for the operation of our website (e.g., security, page navigation). These cannot be disabled.
   
• Performance & Analytics Cookies
  Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics) so we can improve performance.
   
• Functional Cookies
  Remember your preferences (e.g., language, region).
   
• Advertising/Targeting Cookies (if applicable)
  Used to deliver relevant ads or track marketing effectiveness.
   

3. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies may be set by third-party services (such as analytics providers, social media platforms, or advertising networks). We have no direct control over these cookies.

4. How to Control Cookies

You have the right to accept or reject cookies (other than strictly necessary ones). You can:

• Use our cookie consent banner to manage preferences.
   
• Adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies.
   

Note: Blocking some cookies may affect website functionality.

5. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page with an updated “Effective Date.”

6. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, contact us at:

Email: lawrie@lawriematthews.com
Website: www.lawriematthews.com