policies

Please find below links to our privacy policy and our policy on payment of interest.

1. our cookie policy 

2. our privacy policy

3. our policy on payment of interest

4. our policy on anti-bribery and corruption

1. our cookie policy

A "cookie" is a small text file that is put on a user’s computer hard drive by a website. Cookies can be used to make a website work more efficiently, to provide users with ‘tailored’ content or to provide the owners of the site with information about how their website is being used. For example a cookie might be used to record that a user has visited a website before and therefore does not need to be shown the introductory banner before entering the main website.

Cookies are only used by Bevan Brittan to:

• anonymously track the movement of a user around our websites for statistical analysis in a way which does not identify the user and does not collect or store any personal data
• record that you have read our cookie statement
• enable user logon, forum access and content management - for registered extranet users only

The table below lists the cookies we use on our websites and what they are used for.

acceptance of cookies

Bevan Brittan only uses cookies to improve your use of our website. Whenever you visit our website you will see a statement about our use of cookies, including a link to this cookie policy. If you click 'OK' we will record this in a cookie on your PC and you will not see the statement again. If you do not click 'OK' then you will be shown the cookie statement again when next you visit our website. If you click 'OK', or continue to use the website by clicking on any of the links then we will imply that you have consented to cookies being stored on your PC.

Most web browsers have settings that allow the user to control cookies on their PC. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

links to other websites

Bevan Brittan’s cookie and privacy policies apply solely to the firm’s website. Whilst offering links to third party websites Bevan Brittan is unable to accept any responsibility for the content of these sites or their management of your personal data. We advise that you take note of each site’s cookie and privacy policies as a precaution.

2. our privacy policy

If you have any comments on this privacy policy then please contact Bevan Brittan’s Data Protection Compliance Officer on 0870 194 1000 or at the address below:

Data Protection Compliance Officer
Bevan Brittan LLP
Kings Orchard
1 Queen Street
Bristol
BS2 0HQ

Bevan Brittan’s privacy policy sets out the ways the firm processes personal data. Any personal data collected by Bevan Brittan (or its agents) is used in accordance with data protection legislation. 

the Data Protection Act 1998

Bevan Brittan LLP complies with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998, and aims to maintain consistently high levels of best practice in its processing of personal data. We are registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner under reference: Z9665446. 

Personal information provided to Bevan Brittan will be used for the purposes outlined at the time of collection. In addition, personal information may be used for statistical analysis.

Bevan Brittan continues to fulfil the obligations laid out in the data protection policy below, and personal information provided previously to Bevan Ashford will continue to be processed according to this policy.

Personal data will be collected and processed by Bevan Brittan for the following purposes:

• to provide services
• administration
• marketing, advertising and promotions
• notification of events, workshops and training sessions.

With each communication the firm sends out, it is possible to opt-out of receiving further messages. Processing personal data for the above purposes may entail sharing the information with employees, contractors, agents and professional advisors servicing Bevan Brittan. However, written agreements exist between Bevan Brittan and such parties that there must be no disclosure or further processing of such personal data.

We do not sell your information but processing personal data may entail sharing the information with employees, contractors, agents and professional advisors servicing Bevan Brittan. For instance, we do occasionally enter into joint projects with other organisations so that we can offer a fuller service to you, such as joint seminars. At these times it may be necessary to allow third party agents access to personal information to provide these services. This access is strictly limited to specific agents and for specific purposes and activities. We protect your privacy with written agreements between Bevan Brittan and the other party that there must be no disclosure or further processing of such personal data.

consent

By providing personal data to Bevan Brittan you give your consent to the processing of such data by the firm as described in this privacy policy.

your rights

You have the right to ask Bevan Brittan for a copy of the personal data held about you and to request that the firm correct any inaccuracies in that information.

use of your information for Direct Marketing

At each point of data collection, you will be given the opportunity to opt-out of receiving future direct marketing material from Bevan Brittan. If you do not opt-out of such communications, the firm may provide information on appropriate services, events, training and education programmes provided by or supported by Bevan Brittan.

As a matter of best practice, Bevan Brittan aims to maintain the quality of the personal data it gathers and will store your personal information securely for as long a period as you wish.  If at any time you want Bevan Brittan to stop sending such communications or if you wish to verify, update or amend your personal information then please mail your request to:

Database Team
Bevan Brittan LLP
Kings Orchard
1 Queen Street
Bristol
BS2 0HQ

To amend your personal details please click here.

To be removed from our database or to opt out of specific direct mailings, please click here and send your full name and organisations details to our database team.

security

Bevan Brittan holds your personal data in accordance with the security provisions of the Data Protection legislation.

3. our policy on payment of interest

From time to time we hold money for clients and others.  We do not make an administrative charge for the administration involved nor for payment by cheque but may charge for the electronic transmission of money.  This document sets out our current policy on the payment of interest on money that we hold.  Any changes in our policy are posted on our intranet.

which bank?

It is our policy to ensure that client money entrusted to the firm is held in the most appropriate bank accounts.  We continue to monitor our banks on a regular basis.  We also monitor the accounts held and interest paid, to ensure that we get fair market rates for monies held on clients' behalf.  Currently we choose accounts from one of the following banks;

• HSBC
• Lloyds TSB
• National Westminster Bank
• Royal Bank of Scotland

interest policy

Where it is economically viable, we will ensure that client monies received will be placed in a Designated Deposit Account (DDA).  The DDAs are set to be held as on demand accounts (unless we receive specific written advice to the contrary), with monies payable either the same day if notification is prior to 2.30pm or the next day for notifications after 2.30pm.  All other monies will be held in a General client account in the name of 'Bevan Brittan LLP client account'.

interest

All interest that accrues on monies held by us which has been placed on a DDA, is automatically credited to the client balance.

Monies held on our General client account will be credited with interest once the interest due exceeds £25.

further information

Should you require more information about either our bankers or accounts please liaise with your main Bevan Brittan LLP contact.  We will supply further interest breakdown or tax certificates upon request. 

4. our policy on anti-bribery and corruption

As a public services law firm, we are acutely aware of the requirements of our clients that we have a robust and transparent policy on the giving and receiving of gifts and hospitality.  For many of our clients, those requirements go beyond the Bribery Act's requirements and we will always work to the higher standard of our clients' requirements or the Act.

Bribery means giving or receiving a financial or other advantage to encourage or reward the improper performance of a function or activity which is expected to be performed in good faith, or impartially or by someone in a position of trust.   The Act makes such behaviour a criminal offence and a person found guilty of the offences can receive up to 10 years imprisonment.

Bevan Brittan does not tolerate bribery by its people or of its people.  We have policies and associated guidance as tools to identify what is appropriate behaviour and a mechanism for reporting value given and received above a certain de minimis level.  The following is a summary of our policies for the convenience of our clients, suppliers and those with whom we do business.

training policy 

All lawyers and any senior support staff who do direct business with suppliers must complete and pass our online training course.  We are committed to ongoing training and support. 

corporate hospitality policy

It is our policy to offer and receive hospitality which is appropriate to the circumstances and is proportionate, taking account of any specific issues such as an imminent tender or frequency of contact.  Our contact's own ABC policy must be respected and the tougher standard, in the event of a conflict between policies, must prevail.  Our procedures require our people to be transparent, take account of all surrounding circumstances and obtain appropriate internal sign off depending on the nature of the event and the surrounding circumstances.

charitable and political donations  

All charitable donations from the firm are made through the auspices of the CSER committee. The firm does not make political donations.

facilitation payments policy

Facilitation payments are payments demanded by officials (or others) simply to secure or expedite the performance of their normal duties (for example, granting a licence, allowing goods to cross a border, and so on).  Bevan Brittan will not make such payments and will report any request for such a payment to the appropriate authorities.

financial controls policy

Bevan Brittan aspires to be a well run business with appropriate checks and balances on all our activities.   Authority to act or spend is set out in our Authorities Matrix approved by the Board.

HR policy (partners and staff)  

Bevan Brittan is committed to ensuring that no member of staff or associated person becomes involved in activities amounting to bribery.  This applies equally to our external dealings with clients, referrers, or any other party who undertakes work for us. The partners recognise that the decision to report a concern can be difficult and that there may be concerns over reprisal from those responsible for the malpractice.  The partners will do all that they can to ensure that harassment or other victimisation does not occur and will do what they lawfully can to protect anyone who raises a concern in good faith in accordance with our internal whistleblowing policy.
 
Any enquiries or concerns should be directed to our Best Practice Partner, Sarah Mumford.