Privacy Policy 

Van den Heever Attorneys Incorporated is a South African registered personal liability company and firm of attorneys situated in Magalieskruin, Pretoria, Gauteng. We are committed to protecting your privacy, safeguarding your personal information and upholding the sanctity of legal privilege.This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you engage our legal services or interact with us in compliance with South African laws , including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA). It ensures compliance with POPIA’s openness requirements, the CPA’s consumer rights provisions, FICA’s identity verification obligations and the protection of legal privilege as a cornerstone of our attorney-client relationship.

Legal Privilege

Legal privilege is a fundamental principle in South African law that protects confidential communications between you and your attorney. Legal professional privilege is a right that allows you to speak openly with your attorney without fear that what you say will be shared with others, such as courts, the government, or third parties. In South Africa, it includes private communications between you and your attorney when seeking or giving legal advice and protects information in contemplation of or prepared for legal proceedings. This privilege is rooted in common law, supported by the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 and reinforced by your constitutional right to privacy.

Collection of information

We collect information directly from you, automatically through cookies and analytics tools with your consent if you visit our website, third parties like courts, government bodies, or other parties involved in the legal matter we are assisting you with, where lawful and necessary. We also collect personal information necessary to provide legal services and to comply with applicable laws. This may include identity Information and contact details for FICA client verification, financial information, legal Information related to the legal matter we are assisting you with and website data related to your IP address, browser type and other relevant cookie data (see below). Mandatory compliance with the requirements of the FICA is overseen by the Financial Intelligence Centre. We only collect information that is adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary, as required by POPIA. Processing your personal information is based on legal obligations, contractual necessity or your consent. Protecting information

Protecting information

We implement robust security measures to safeguard your personal information, including privileged communications, such as the encryption of sensitive data, secure storage of physical and digital files, access controls limiting staff access to only what is necessary and regular security audits. In the event of a data breach, we will notify you and the Information Regulator as required by POPIA.

Sharing information

We may share your personal information with service providers, legal legal entities, like courts, regulators or opposing parties in litigation where required by law or your case, but only non-privileged information unless you consent otherwise. We also share your personal informal information to authorities to verify identity and to combat financial crime, as required by FICA. Privileged information will not be shared, unless legally mandated or with your explicit consent.

Cookies and website tracking

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience and analyze usage. These may include Essential Cookies Necessary for website functionality and analytics cookies to track site performance. You can manage your preferences or deny consent to allow cookies via your browser settings. Under POPIA you have the right request details of the personal information we hold about you, to ask us to update inaccurate information and to request the removal of information we no longer need, subject to legal retention obligations and privilege considerations. You also have the right to object to data processing based on legitimate interests and to revoke your consent where processing relies on it.

To exercise these rights, contact our office at office@vdhatt.co.za. Note that privileged information remains protected and is not subject to disclosure unless waived by you.

Cross-border data transfers

If your matter involves international parties, we may transfer your information outside South Africa. We ensure that recipients comply with POPIA by using agreements or verifying adequate protection in the receiving country, with additional safeguards to maintain legal privilege.

Retention of your Information

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, to comply with legal obligations or to resolve disputes. Privileged information may be retained longer to protect your legal interests, after which we securely delete or anonymize it.

We are dedicated to protecting your privacy and upholding legal privilege while delivering top-tier legal services across South Africa.