Privacy Policy

1. Who this policy applies to

This policy applies to visitors, people using Smart Legal Guidance, people looking for or booking a solicitor, clients using consultation services through the platform, solicitors and law firms applying for or using membership, and people who contact Just Talk Law.

2. Who is responsible for your information

Just Talk Law is responsible for personal information processed for operation of the Just Talk Law platform. You can contact us about privacy at help@justtalklaw.co.uk or through our Contact page.

Where you speak with or instruct an independent solicitor or law firm, that solicitor or firm will normally be separately responsible for personal information they process for professional legal services. Their own privacy notice may also apply.

3. Information we may collect

Depending on how you use the service, we may collect your name, email address, telephone number, postcode or location, account and membership information, firm and regulatory details, consultation preferences, availability and booking information, payment and transaction references, communications with us, and technical information such as IP address, browser, device and security logs.

When you use Smart Legal Guidance or describe a legal problem, the information you provide may include details about a dispute, employment, family circumstances, health, finances, allegations, court or regulatory matters, or other information that may be sensitive. Please provide only information reasonably needed for us to help with the enquiry.

4. How we use personal information

We may use personal information to provide and improve the website and Smart Legal Guidance; understand and classify an enquiry; identify suitable legal areas and participating solicitors; show relevant consultation options; create, administer and confirm bookings; send service messages and reminders; administer member accounts; verify solicitor and firm information; manage payments, commissions, refunds and payouts; respond to support requests; prevent fraud, misuse and security incidents; maintain records; and comply with legal, regulatory, tax and accounting obligations.

5. Our lawful bases

Under UK data-protection law, our lawful basis depends on the activity. We may process information because it is necessary to take steps at your request or perform a contract with you, because we have legitimate interests in operating and protecting the platform and providing the service, because we must comply with a legal obligation, or because you have given consent where consent is specifically required.

Where information is treated as special-category personal data, we process it only where an additional lawful condition applies. This may include information you have deliberately provided in order to seek legal guidance or establish, exercise or defend legal claims. We minimise use of this information to what is reasonably necessary for the relevant service.

6. AI-assisted legal guidance

Just Talk Law uses automated and AI-assisted technology to help understand the information you provide, identify the likely legal area, provide general guidance and support matching. This is not a substitute for regulated legal advice from a solicitor. We use service providers to support this technology and apply contractual and technical safeguards to information processed on our behalf.

If a matter requires professional judgment or legal advice, you should speak with a suitably qualified solicitor. A participating solicitor remains independently responsible for the professional advice they provide.

7. When we share information

We may share information with service providers that help us operate the platform, including hosting, email, security, analytics, payment, booking and technology providers. We may also share information where required by law, regulation, court order or to protect the rights, security or integrity of Just Talk Law and its users.

We do not release your contact details to a participating solicitor merely because you have used general guidance. When you choose a solicitor route or book a consultation, we may share the information reasonably required for that solicitor or firm to review or conduct the consultation. The interface will make the relevant handover clear where appropriate.

8. Payments

Payments may be processed using specialist payment providers. Just Talk Law does not need to store your full card number in order to administer a consultation payment. Payment providers process payment information under their own security and privacy arrangements, while we retain the transaction and booking records needed to operate the service, account for payments and deal with refunds or disputes.

9. International transfers

Some technology providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where UK data-protection law requires safeguards for an international transfer, we use appropriate contractual or other recognised safeguards through the relevant provider arrangements.

10. How long we keep information

We keep information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including providing the service, maintaining booking and financial records, resolving disputes, preventing abuse and complying with legal, tax, accounting and regulatory obligations. Retention periods vary according to the type of record and why it is held.

11. Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures intended to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or alteration. No online system can guarantee absolute security, so users should also protect their passwords and avoid sending unnecessary sensitive information.

12. Cookies and similar technologies

We may use essential cookies and, where permitted, other cookies or similar technologies to operate the website, remember settings, understand performance and support security. More information is available in our Cookie Policy.

13. Your data-protection rights

Depending on the circumstances, UK data-protection law may give you rights to ask for access to your personal information, correction of inaccurate information, deletion, restriction of processing, objection to certain processing, portability of information, and withdrawal of consent where processing is based on consent. These rights are not absolute and legal exemptions can apply.

To exercise a right, contact help@justtalklaw.co.uk. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.

14. Complaints

If you have a concern about how we use personal information, please contact us first so we can try to resolve it. You also have the right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the independent regulator for data protection in the United Kingdom.

15. Children

Just Talk Law is not designed as a service for children to create accounts or book legal consultations independently. If information about a child is relevant to an adult's legal enquiry, provide only what is reasonably necessary and avoid unnecessary identifying details.

16. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as the platform, our service providers or legal requirements change. The latest version will be published on this page with an updated date.