Legal · Privacy
How we handle your personal information
This policy explains what information Bhalla Law Offices collects, why we collect it, how long we keep it, and the choices available to you. It applies to this website and to information you give us as a client or prospective client.
Bhalla Law Offices is committed to protecting the privacy of the people who contact us and the clients we act for. As a law firm operating in Alberta, we handle personal information under the Personal Information Protection Act (Alberta), the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act where it applies, and the professional obligations set by the Law Society of Alberta.
Confidentiality in a law office goes further than privacy legislation. Almost everything a client tells us in the course of seeking legal advice is protected by solicitor-client privilege, which belongs to the client and which we cannot waive on your behalf.
Information we collect
We collect only the information we need to assess whether we can act for you, to provide legal services, and to meet our professional and legal obligations. The amount and type of information depends entirely on the nature of your matter.
Contact details
Name, phone number, email address, and mailing address, so we can reach you and identify your file.
Matter information
Facts, dates, correspondence, court documents, contracts, and records relevant to the legal issue you bring to us.
Identification
Government-issued identification and related details, which the Law Society of Alberta requires us to verify for many types of retainers.
Financial information
Billing details and, where relevant to the matter, income, assets, and liabilities, for example in family or estate files.
Website usage
Basic technical information such as pages visited and general location, used only to keep the site working and to understand which pages are useful.
Third-party records
Medical records, employment records, or documents from other parties, collected with your authorisation or through legal process where a matter requires it.
How we use your information
- To check for conflicts of interest before agreeing to act on a matter
- To provide legal advice and representation on the matter you retain us for
- To communicate with you, opposing parties, courts, tribunals, and government offices
- To verify identity and satisfy Law Society of Alberta requirements
- To prepare invoices, administer trust funds, and maintain accounting records
- To meet obligations under Alberta and Canadian law, including record retention requirements
We do not sell your information
Bhalla Law Offices does not sell, rent, or trade personal information, and we do not use client information for advertising or marketing to third parties.
When information is disclosed
We disclose personal information only where you instruct us to, where it is necessary to advance the matter you retained us for, or where the law requires it. Common examples include filing materials with a court, corresponding with opposing counsel, submitting an application to a government office such as IRCC or the Land Titles Office, or retaining an expert on your file.
A small number of narrow exceptions exist in professional rules, for example where disclosure is necessary to prevent an imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm, or where a court orders disclosure. These exceptions are rare, and we would tell you where it is possible and lawful to do so.
Storage, security, and retention
Physical files are stored in a secured office. Electronic records are stored on access-controlled systems, and information sent through our secure document-sharing service is encrypted in transit. Access within the firm is limited to the people who need it to work on your matter.
We retain closed files for the period required by the Law Society of Alberta and applicable legislation, after which they are securely destroyed. Retention periods differ by matter type, and some documents, such as original wills, are held for as long as the client wishes.
Email is convenient but not fully secure
Ordinary email can be intercepted or misdirected. For sensitive material, ask us about our secure document-sharing option or arrange to deliver documents in person.
Your access and correction rights
You may ask what personal information we hold about you, request access to it, and ask us to correct information that is inaccurate. We respond to written requests within the time frames set by applicable privacy legislation.
Access can be limited in specific circumstances, for example where a record contains information about another person, where the material is subject to another person privilege, or where legislation prevents disclosure. If we refuse a request in whole or in part, we explain why.
This website
This site uses a small amount of browser storage to remember your light or dark theme preference. That value stays on your device and is not transmitted to us. The site does not require an account, and it does not host any submission forms, so no information is collected from you simply by browsing.
Links to third-party websites are provided for convenience. Once you follow a link, the privacy practices of that operator apply, and we have no control over how they handle your information.
Questions or concerns
Direct any privacy question, access request, or complaint to our office by phone or email and we will respond promptly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta. This page was last reviewed in July 2026.
Related pages
The information on this page is general in nature and is not legal advice. Every matter depends on its own facts. Contact Bhalla Law Offices to discuss your situation with a lawyer licensed in Alberta.