Privacy Choices

Your Privacy

Choices

E-Solicitors

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A Simple Guide to Controlling Your Data

Easy-to-Understand Privacy Options

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Your Data, Your Control

Version 1.0 - January 2026

Your Privacy Matters to Us

At E-Solicitors, we believe you should have control over your personal data. This guide explains the privacy choices available to you in simple, clear language.

You have choices about how we collect, use, and share your data. This guide shows you exactly what those choices are and how to make them.

Quick Summary of Your Choices

Marketing emails: Whether we send you promotional content → Account Settings > Communications

Cookies: What tracking we use on our website → Cookie Settings (footer link)

Profile visibility: Who can see your profile information → Account Settings > Privacy

Data sharing: How we share data with third parties → Account Settings > Privacy

Account deletion: Permanently removing your account and data → Account Settings > Delete Account

Communication preferences: How and when we contact you → Account Settings > Notifications

Accessibility support: Getting help to exercise your rights → Contact us or Account Settings > Accessibility

ℹ This guide supplements our full Privacy Policy V2.0, which contains all the legal details. If there's any conflict, the Privacy Policy takes precedence.

Need Help?

If you need any assistance understanding or exercising your privacy choices, we're here to help:

Call us on [phone number]

Request information in alternative formats

Ask for a support person to help you

1. Marketing and Communications Choices

Email Marketing

You can choose whether to receive marketing emails from us about:

New features and services

Special offers and promotions

Platform news and updates

Tips and guides for using the platform

Industry news and insights

How to Manage Marketing Emails

→ Option 1: Click 'Unsubscribe' at the bottom of any marketing email

→ Option 2: Go to Account Settings > Communications > Marketing Preferences

→ Option 3: Email us at privacy@[platform].com with 'Unsubscribe' in the subject line

Even if you opt out of marketing emails, we will still send you important service-related messages (like account notifications, security alerts, and transaction confirmations). These are not marketing.

Third-Party Marketing

We do NOT sell your data to third parties for their marketing purposes.

We do NOT share your email address with third parties for marketing without your explicit consent.

Your Choice: We will never share your details for third-party marketing unless you specifically opt in.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small files stored on your device when you visit websites. They help websites remember you and your preferences.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (Cannot Be Disabled)

These cookies are necessary for the website to work. Without them, you couldn't log in or use basic features:

Session management (keeping you logged in)

Security features (protecting your account)

Cookie consent preferences (remembering your choices)

You cannot opt out of essential cookies because the website won't work without them.

Analytics Cookies (Your Choice)

These help us understand how people use our website so we can improve it:

Pages visited and time spent

How you navigate the site

Errors you encounter

Device and browser information

Your Choice: You can opt out of analytics cookies in Cookie Settings.

Functionality Cookies (Your Choice)

These remember your preferences to give you a better experience:

Language preferences

Display settings

Accessibility settings

3. Profile and Visibility Choices

For Buyers

As a Buyer, your profile is generally private. However:

Your name: Visible to Solicitors you contact - You can use a display name

Email address: Visible to Solicitors you contact - Needed for communication

Phone number: Visible to Solicitors you contact (if provided) - Optional

Legal enquiry details: Visible to Solicitors you contact - You control what you share

Reviews you write: Public (if you write reviews) - Optional

Your Choices

Display Name: You can use a display name instead of your full name until you're ready to share it with a solicitor.
Contact Information: You choose what contact details to share. Phone number is optional.
Enquiry Details: You control what information you include in your enquiry. Share only what's necessary.

For Solicitors

As a Solicitor, your profile is designed to be visible to potential clients. Some information is required for regulatory compliance:

Name and qualifications: Public - Content you control

Firm name and address: Public - Required for regulatory reasons

SRA registration number: Public - Required for verification

Practice areas: Public - You choose which to display

Profile description: Public - You write your own

Fees/pricing: Public (if you add them) - Optional (but encouraged by SRA Transparency Rules)

Some information (like SRA registration) must be displayed for regulatory compliance under SRA Transparency Rules and cannot be hidden.

→ Go to Account Settings > Privacy > Profile Visibility

→ Or go to My Profile > Edit Profile to control what information appears

Who We Share Data With

We share your data in the following situations:

Sharing You Control

Sharing with Solicitors (when you enquire) - You initiate this

Reviews and feedback - Optional, choose not to leave reviews

Public profile (Solicitors) - Limited control, minimise optional information

Third-party marketing - Opt-in only, don't opt in / withdraw consent

Sharing We Must Do

Some sharing is necessary for our services or required by law:

Service providers who help us run the platform (hosting, payments, email)

Regulators and law enforcement when required by law

Professional advisers (lawyers, accountants) when necessary

SRA - for regulatory verification of solicitors

National Crime Agency - if required for AML purposes

ℹ We have contracts with all service providers requiring them to protect your data and only use it as we instruct.

Your Data Sharing Preferences

In your Account Settings, you can control:

Analytics Sharing: Whether your anonymised usage data contributes to our analytics.
Product Improvement: Whether we can use your data to improve our services.
Research Participation: Whether you're willing to participate in user research.

→ Go to Account Settings > Privacy > Data Sharing Preferences

What We Never Do

We NEVER sell your personal data to anyone.
We NEVER share your data with third parties for their marketing without your explicit consent.
We NEVER share sensitive details of your legal enquiries beyond what's necessary to connect you with solicitors.

5. Your Data Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights. Here's what they mean in plain English:

Right to Access

What It Means: You can ask for a copy of all the personal data we hold about you.

How to use it: Submit a 'Subject Access Request' and we'll send you your data within one month.

→ Go to Account Settings > Privacy > Download My Data

→ Or email privacy@[platform].com

Right to Correction

What It Means: If any of your data is wrong, you can ask us to fix it.

How to use it: Most information can be corrected directly in your account settings. For other corrections, contact us.

→ Go to Account Settings > My Profile > Edit

→ Or email privacy@[platform].com

Right to Deletion

What It Means: You can ask us to delete your personal data (sometimes called 'right to be forgotten').

How to use it: You can delete your account, which removes most of your data. Some data may be kept for legal reasons.

→ Go to Account Settings > Delete Account

→ Or email privacy@[platform].com

We may need to keep some data for legal, tax, or regulatory reasons even after you delete your account (e.g., transaction records for 7 years, AML records for 5 years).

Right to Restrict Processing

What It Means: You can ask us to stop using your data in certain ways while we resolve a dispute or verify information.

→ Email privacy@[platform].com to request restriction

Right to Data Portability

What It Means: You can get your data in a format you can take to another service.

How to use it: Request an export of your data in a common format (like CSV or JSON).

→ Go to Account Settings > Privacy > Export My Data

Right to Object

What It Means: You can object to certain types of processing, especially marketing and processing based on our 'legitimate interests'.

For marketing: Use the unsubscribe link or update your communication preferences.

For other processing: Email us explaining what you object to and why.

→ Email privacy@[platform].com

How Long Do Requests Take?

All requests: Response within 1 month, free of charge.

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complex cases, we may extend the response time by up to 2 additional months. We'll let you know if this happens.

6. Account and Data Deletion

Deleting Your Account

You can delete your account at any time. Here's what happens:

Immediate Effects

Your account is deactivated immediately

You can no longer log in

Your profile is removed from public view

Active enquiries are closed

What Gets Deleted

Your profile information

Your account settings and preferences

Your search history on our platform

Your saved items and favourites

What We May Keep

Some data may be retained for legal, tax, or regulatory reasons:

Transaction records (7 years for tax purposes)

Communications related to disputes or complaints (6 years)

AML/KYC records if you used solicitor services (5 years per MLR 2017)

Data required for legal proceedings

Anonymised/aggregated data (which no longer identifies you)

How to Delete Your Account

→ Step 1: Go to Account Settings

→ Step 2: Click 'Delete Account'

→ Step 3: Confirm your decision (we may ask for your password)

→ Step 4: Your account will be queued for deletion

Account deletion is processed within 30 days.

For Solicitors: Special Considerations

If you're a Solicitor deleting your account:

Ongoing client matters should be properly concluded first

Client data you've received remains your responsibility under SRA Code

Your regulatory obligations continue even after leaving the platform

You must maintain AML records for 5 years after the relationship ends (MLR 2017 Reg 40)

Reviews may be retained (anonymised) for platform integrity

7. Communication Preferences

Types of Communications

We send different types of communications. You have different levels of control over each:

Service Communications (Required)

These are essential for your account and cannot be turned off while your account is active:

Account verification emails

Password reset emails

Security alerts

Transaction confirmations

Important policy or terms updates

Operational Communications (Adjustable)

These relate to your use of the platform and can be customised:

Enquiry updates and responses

Appointment reminders

Review requests

Account activity summaries

Your Choice: You can adjust the frequency and channel (email, SMS, in-app) for these.

Marketing Communications (Optional)

These are promotional and you have full control:

Newsletter

Special offers

New feature announcements

Tips and guides

Industry news

Your Choice: You can opt out completely or choose which types to receive.

How to Manage Your Preferences

→ Go to Account Settings > Notifications

Accessible Formats

ℹ If you need communications in accessible formats (large print, audio, easy read), please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

8. Security Choices

Protecting Your Account

You have choices that affect how secure your account is:

Password Strength

Your Choice: Choose a strong, unique password. We recommend at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

→ Change your password: Account Settings > Security > Change Password

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Your Choice: Enable 2FA for extra security. When enabled, you'll need your password plus a code from your phone to log in.

→ Enable 2FA: Account Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication

ℹ We strongly recommend enabling 2FA, especially for Solicitor accounts.

Your Choice: Get notified when someone logs into your account from a new device or location.

→ Enable login alerts: Account Settings > Security > Login Notifications

Active Sessions

Your Choice: View and manage devices currently logged into your account. You can log out of any session remotely.

→ Manage sessions: Account Settings > Security > Active Sessions

If You Suspect a Security Issue

→ Step 1: Change your password immediately

→ Step 2: Enable 2FA if not already enabled

→ Step 3: Check and end any suspicious sessions

→ Step 4: Contact us at security@[platform].com

9. Special Choices for Solicitors

As a Solicitor on our platform, you have additional privacy choices and considerations:

Profile Visibility Options

Public Profile Elements

Name and title: Public - Content you control

Firm name: Public - Required

SRA number: Public - Required (regulatory)

Practice areas: Public - Choose which to show

Biography: Public - You write it

Photo: Public - Optional

Fees: Public - Optional but encouraged by SRA Transparency Rules

Languages: Public - Optional

Limited Visibility Elements

Direct contact details: Registered users - Which details to show

Availability calendar: Registered users - Optional feature

Response time stats: Registered users - Cannot hide

Reviews: Public - Cannot remove, can respond

Client Data Handling

When clients contact you through the platform, you become a separate data controller. You must comply with your own data protection and professional obligations.

Your Responsibilities

Have your own privacy notice for clients

Process client data in accordance with SRA Code of Conduct

Maintain client confidentiality (SRA Principles 4, 5, 6)

Respond to data subject requests from your clients

Comply with AML record keeping requirements (5 years - MLR 2017 Reg 40)

Report concerns about vulnerable clients appropriately (SRA Code Rules 3.4, 6.2)

Platform Data About You

We collect data about your use of the platform:

Response times to enquiries

Completion rates

Client feedback and ratings

Your Choice: You can request a copy of all data we hold about you, including performance metrics.

→ Download your data: Account Settings > Privacy > Download My Data

10. Special Choices for Buyers

As a Buyer seeking legal services, you have specific privacy choices:

Controlling What You Share

When Making an Enquiry

Your Choice: You decide how much detail to include in your enquiry. You don't have to share everything upfront.

We recommend:

Share enough for solicitors to understand your general needs

Don't include highly sensitive details in initial enquiries

Share sensitive information directly with your chosen solicitor (not through the platform)

Contact Information

Email address: Required - Needed for account and communication

Name: Required - Can use display name initially

Phone number: Optional - Only share if you want phone contact

Address: Optional - Only needed for certain services

Date of birth: Optional - Only if relevant to your matter

After Contacting a Solicitor

Once you share information with a Solicitor, they become a separate data controller. Their handling of your data is governed by their privacy notice, not ours.

Your Rights with Solicitors

Ask the solicitor for their privacy notice

Request copies of your data from the solicitor

Ask the solicitor to delete your data (subject to their legal obligations)

Complain to the ICO about data protection issues

Report concerns to the SRA about professional conduct

Anonymous Browsing

Your Choice: You can browse solicitor profiles without logging in. We collect limited data (via cookies) but don't know who you are unless you log in.

ℹ

For

the most private browsing, use incognito/private mode and decline non-essential cookies.

Review Privacy

If you leave a review for a solicitor:

Whether to leave a review: Completely optional

Display name on review: Can use first name only or initials

Content of review: You write it

Editing a review: You can edit within 30 days

Deleting a review: You can request deletion

11. Support for Vulnerable Users

ℹ We recognise that some users may need additional support to understand and exercise their privacy choices. We are committed to helping everyone access their rights.

If You Need Additional Support

You may need extra help with privacy matters if you have difficulties due to:

Age (older or younger users)

Disability (physical, sensory, learning, or mental health)

Mental capacity issues

Language barriers

Financial difficulties

Bereavement or emotional distress

Other circumstances affecting your ability to engage

How We Can Help

Alternative Formats: We can provide this guide and other privacy information in alternative formats (large print, audio, easy read) on request.
Support Person: You can have someone help you understand and exercise your privacy choices.
Extra Time: We will give you extra time to make decisions if you need it.
Telephone Support: If you find written communication difficult, you can call us to discuss your privacy choices.
Face-to-Face: In some circumstances, we may be able to arrange face-to-face support.

Exercising Rights on Someone's Behalf

If you are acting on behalf of someone else (for example, under a Lasting Power of Attorney or as a Deputy appointed by the Court of Protection), you can exercise their privacy rights on their behalf.

We will need to verify your authority before processing requests.

→ Contact us at privacy@[platform].com or call [phone number]

→ Let us know what support you need

Solicitors and Vulnerable Clients

Solicitors on our platform are required under SRA Code Rules 3.4 and 6.2 to identify and support vulnerable clients. If you are a vulnerable client, your solicitor should:

Identify if you may need additional support

Make reasonable adjustments to help you

Communicate in a way you can understand

Consider whether you have capacity to make decisions (Mental Capacity Act 2005)

12. Accessibility and Equality

Our Commitment

We are committed to ensuring that everyone can access and exercise their privacy rights, regardless of disability or other characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010.

Protected Characteristics

We will not discriminate against anyone exercising their privacy rights on the basis of:

Age

Disability

Gender reassignment

Marriage and civil partnership

Pregnancy and maternity

Race

Religion or belief

Sex

Sexual orientation

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have a disability, we will make reasonable adjustments to help you exercise your privacy rights. This might include:

Providing information in accessible formats

Allowing extra time to respond to requests

Accepting requests in different formats (verbal, video, etc.)

Providing a dedicated contact for accessibility issues

→ Tell us about your accessibility needs: accessibility@[platform].com

Website Accessibility

We aim to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

If you experience any accessibility issues with our privacy settings or tools, please let us know.

13. Complaints and Escalation

If You're Unhappy with Our Privacy Practices

If you have a complaint about how we handle your privacy:

→ Step 1: Contact us first at privacy@[platform].com - we want to resolve your concerns

→ Step 2: We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days

→ Step 3: We will investigate and respond within 20 working days

→ Step 4: If we can't resolve it, you can complain to the ICO

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

The ICO is the UK's independent authority for data protection. They can investigate complaints and

take action

if organisations break data protection law.

Website: www.ico.org.uk

Phone: 0303 123 1113

Address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF

If Your Complaint is About a Solicitor

If your complaint is about how a solicitor handles your data (not the Platform), you can:

Contact the solicitor directly using their complaints procedure

Escalate to the Legal Ombudsman if unresolved (for service issues)

Report to the SRA (for conduct issues)

Complain to the ICO about data protection issues

Legal Ombudsman

Website: www.legalombudsman.org.uk

Phone: 0300 555 0333

Time limits: 1 YEAR from act complained about, 6 MONTHS from final response

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Website: www.sra.org.uk

Phone: 0370 606 2555

14. How to Contact Us About Privacy

Privacy Questions and Requests

For any privacy-related questions, concerns, or requests:

Email: privacy@[platform].com

Post: Data Protection Officer, [Company Name], [Address]

Phone: [Phone Number]

Online Form: Use the privacy request form in Account Settings > Privacy > Submit Request

Response Times

General privacy questions: 5 working days

Data subject requests (access, deletion, etc.): Within 1 month

Urgent security concerns: 24-48 hours

Complaints: 5 working days acknowledgment, 20 working days full response

Accessibility Support

If you need help to make a privacy request:

Call us and we can take your request over the phone

Ask someone to help you (we may need to verify they are authorised)

Request information in alternative formats

Email accessibility@[platform].com for accessibility support

Quick Reference Card

ℹ Keep this handy guide for quick access to your privacy choices:

To Change Your Privacy Settings

Stop marketing emails → Account Settings > Communications OR click 'Unsubscribe'

Manage cookies → Cookie Settings (website footer)

Download my data → Account Settings > Privacy > Download My Data

Delete my account → Account Settings > Delete Account

Update my profile → Account Settings > My Profile > Edit

Enable two-factor auth → Account Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication

Manage notifications → Account Settings > Notifications

Control data sharing → Account Settings > Privacy > Data Sharing

See active sessions → Account Settings > Security > Active Sessions

Submit a privacy request → Account Settings > Privacy > Submit Request

Get accessibility support → Contact us or Account Settings > Accessibility

Key Contacts

Privacy questions → privacy@[platform].com

Security concerns → security@[platform].com

General support → support@[platform].com

Complaints → complaints@[platform].com

Accessibility → accessibility@[platform].com

ICO (regulator) → www.ico.org.uk / 0303 123 1113

Legal Ombudsman → www.legalombudsman.org.uk / 0300 555 0333

SRA → www.sra.org.uk / 0370 606 2555

Your Key Rights in Summary

ACCESS: Get a copy of your data
CORRECT: Fix inaccurate data
DELETE: Have your data erased
RESTRICT: Limit how we use your data
PORTABILITY: Get your data in a portable format
OBJECT: Say no to certain processing
WITHDRAW CONSENT: Change your mind about consent-based processing
GET SUPPORT: Ask for help if you need it

Document Information

This Privacy Choices guide is issued by E-Solicitors to help you understand and exercise your privacy rights.

Document Version: 1.0

Effective Date: January 2026

Last Updated: January 2026

Next Review: January 2026

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Regulatory Framework

UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

Data Protection Act 2018

Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR)

Equality Act 2010

Consumer Rights Act 2015

SRA Standards and Regulations 2019 (as amended 2025)

SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors

Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended)

Mental Capacity Act 2005

Your Privacy​

Choices​

A Simple Guide to Controlling Your Data​

Your Privacy Matters to Us​

1. Marketing and Communications Choices​

2. Cookie and Tracking Choices​

3. Profile and Visibility Choices​

4. Data Sharing Choices​

5. Your Data Rights​

6. Account and Data Deletion​

7. Communication Preferences​

8. Security Choices​

9. Special Choices for Solicitors​

10. Special Choices for Buyers​

11. Support for Vulnerable Users​

12. Accessibility and Equality​

13. Complaints and Escalation​

14. How to Contact Us About Privacy​

Quick Reference Card​

Document Information​

Your Privacy

Choices

A Simple Guide to Controlling Your Data

Your Privacy Matters to Us

1. Marketing and Communications Choices

2. Cookie and Tracking Choices

3. Profile and Visibility Choices

4. Data Sharing Choices

5. Your Data Rights

6. Account and Data Deletion

7. Communication Preferences

8. Security Choices

9. Special Choices for Solicitors

10. Special Choices for Buyers

11. Support for Vulnerable Users

12. Accessibility and Equality

13. Complaints and Escalation

14. How to Contact Us About Privacy

Quick Reference Card

Document Information