Privacy Policy
Barristers Direct Limited
Last updated: 1 October 2026
This notice explains how Barristers Direct Limited (“Barristers Direct”, “we”, “us”) handles personal data in operating its website and arranging consultations with barristers. It applies to enquiries, bookings, communications and documents sent to us, consultation-related materials that we handle, and applications by professionals to join our network. It does not purport to govern a barrister’s or solicitor’s separate processing in providing professional services.
1. Who is responsible
Barristers Direct Limited, Suite 122, The Capel Building, Mary’s Abbey, Dublin 7, Ireland, is generally the controller of personal data it collects and uses to operate its enquiry, referral and consultation-arrangement service. Contact us at contact@barristersdirect.ie or +353 1 871 94 94 about this notice or your data protection rights.
We arrange consultations; we do not ourselves provide legal advice. The barrister and any solicitor involved may be separate controllers for their professional work and should provide their own privacy information. Roles are assessed by reference to the processing concerned, rather than by the label applied to a relationship.
2. Information we handle and where it comes from
We may handle names and contact details; enquiry, appointment and correspondence details; descriptions of legal issues and documents you send us; information about other people contained in those materials; booking, transaction and billing records; information about participating or applicant barristers and solicitors; and website, device and security information. Where consultation recording or transcription forms part of the service, we may also handle recordings, transcripts or summaries and information contained in them.
Information may come from you, others contacting us on your behalf, participating professionals, and the website, communications, meeting, payment or other service providers we use. Enquiries and attachments can contain health or other special-category information, or information relating to criminal allegations, convictions or offences. Please send only the information reasonably necessary to arrange a consultation at the enquiry stage, and use the contact route we specify for particularly sensitive documents. We may need to share relevant material with the intended barrister or solicitor to arrange the consultation.
3. Purposes and legal bases
We use personal data to respond to enquiries, identify an appropriate professional, arrange consultations and related communications, administer bookings and payments, maintain necessary records, protect our systems, address complaints and incidents, and establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
For the client’s own ordinary personal data, the legal basis will generally be steps requested before a contract or performance of our contract, as appropriate. We may rely on legitimate interests in running and protecting the service, including dealing with enquiries containing third-party information, where those interests are not overridden by the person’s rights. We process information where necessary to comply with applicable legal obligations, including accounting and data protection obligations. A different basis may apply to a particular activity; we will provide further information where required.
Special-category data is handled only where an Article 9 GDPR condition applies, such as explicit consent where validly sought and obtained, or necessity for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims where applicable. Information about criminal convictions or offences is subject to Article 10 GDPR and section 55 of the Data Protection Act 2018; we will handle it only where an applicable condition and safeguards are in place. We do not assume that arranging a consultation, by itself, establishes an exception applicable to the provision of legal advice. We seek to limit collection and disclosure of sensitive material to what is necessary for the relevant purpose.
4. Who receives information
We may share information needed for an enquiry or consultation with the proposed or selected barrister and, where relevant, a solicitor involved in the arrangement. We may also share information with providers supporting our website, forms, communications, meetings, payments, storage and, where used, transcription or summarisation; and with advisers, insurers, regulators or other persons where necessary and lawful. We take account of the nature of the information and the purpose of sharing it. We do not represent that information disclosed to a separate professional or provider remains exclusively within our systems.
If consultation recording or automated transcription or summarisation is used, the relevant participants and providers may receive the information captured. Further information about any recording arrangements, including any applicable choices or consent, should be provided before recording begins.
5. International access and transfers
Some providers may process or access personal data outside the European Economic Area. We may use Fireflies.ai for consultation recordings, transcripts or summaries, involving processing or access in the United States where that service is used. Where a restricted transfer occurs, we use an applicable lawful transfer mechanism, such as a relevant adequacy decision or standard contractual clauses with supplementary measures where required. Contact us for information about the mechanism applicable to a particular transfer. We review provider arrangements and do not assume that a provider’s certification or safeguards apply without verification.
6. Retention
We keep information for no longer than necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, taking account of the nature of the record, accounting and legal requirements, possible disputes, and the need to secure or investigate incidents. Different categories may require different periods. Contact us for information about the period or criteria applicable to a particular record.
7. Security and incidents
We take technical and organisational measures appropriate to the risks involved in handling personal data. No transmission or handling method is free from the possibility of error. If you believe information you sent us has been misdirected or compromised, please contact contact@barristersdirect.ie promptly.
We assess suspected personal data breaches, take appropriate containment and remedial steps, and keep records as required by law. We notify the Data Protection Commission and affected individuals where the applicable legal thresholds are met. This notice does not promise notification of every incident, nor does it limit any notification or other obligation imposed by law.
8. Your rights and complaints
Subject to applicable conditions and exceptions, you may request access to or correction of your personal data; request erasure or restriction; object to certain processing; and request portability where applicable. If we rely on consent, you may withdraw it without affecting processing already lawfully carried out. Contact contact@barristersdirect.ie. We may need to verify your identity and may retain information where law permits or requires. You may complain to the Data Protection Commission; you are welcome, but not required, to raise a concern with us first.
9. Cookies and website technologies
We use website technologies needed to deliver the site, process enquiries and maintain security. Where we use analytics, embedded content or tracking technologies, we provide information about them and seek consent where required. We do not use non-essential technologies before obtaining any consent required by law. External sites reached through links apply their own privacy arrangements.
10. Changes
We may update this notice to reflect changes in our service, providers or legal requirements. The publication date will identify the current version. We will give further notice where required by law.