Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 2026

1. Introduction

Van der Berg Attorneys Inc. ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or engage our legal services, in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA") and any applicable regulations.

By using our website or services you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of our website and services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information you provide directly

• Name, surname, and contact details (email address, phone number)
• Identity number or registration number where legally required
• Details of your legal matter submitted via our contact or intake forms
• Correspondence and instructions you send us

2.2 Information collected automatically

• IP address, browser type, and operating system
• Pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 8)

3. Purpose of Processing

We process your personal information for the following purposes:

• To respond to enquiries and provide legal advice and representation
• To comply with our professional obligations and regulatory requirements (including the Legal Practice Act)
• To manage our attorney-client relationship and billing
• To improve and maintain our website
• To send you relevant legal updates or newsletters where you have consented
• To comply with applicable laws, court orders, or legal proceedings

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We rely on the following grounds to process your personal information under POPIA:

• Contract: processing is necessary to perform our legal services agreement with you
• Legal obligation: processing is required by the Legal Practice Act, tax legislation, or other applicable law
• Legitimate interest: processing is necessary for our legitimate interest in operating and improving our practice, provided this does not override your rights
• Consent: where you have given consent (e.g., marketing communications), which you may withdraw at any time

5. Sharing of Personal Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it with:

• Third-party service providers who assist us in operating our practice (e.g., cloud hosting, accounting software, email services), bound by confidentiality obligations
• Courts, regulators, and authorities where required by law or court order
• Correspondent attorneys and counsel to the extent necessary to conduct your matter
• Successor entities in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of the practice

All third parties with whom we share your information are required to protect it to a standard consistent with POPIA.

6. Cross-Border Transfers

Your information may be processed or stored by service providers outside South Africa (for example, cloud infrastructure). We only transfer personal information to recipients in countries that provide an adequate level of protection, or where appropriate safeguards are in place, in accordance with Section 72 of POPIA.

7. Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected, and thereafter for the period required by applicable law (including the five-year retention period under the Legal Practice Act and seven years under the Tax Administration Act). When retention is no longer necessary, we will securely delete or de-identify the information.

8. Cookies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience and gather analytics data. You can control cookie settings in your browser. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

9. Your Rights

Under POPIA you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Delete information where retention is no longer justified (subject to legal obligations)
• Object to the processing of your information for direct marketing or on grounds relating to your particular situation
• Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Information Officer at info@vandenbergattorneys.co.za.

10. Information Officer

Van der Berg Attorneys Inc. has appointed an Information Officer as required by POPIA. All queries, requests, and complaints relating to personal information should be directed to:

You may also contact the Information Regulator of South Africa at www.justice.gov.za/inforeg.

11. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. However, no internet transmission is completely secure and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically. Material changes will be communicated via our website.