Privacy and Confidentiality Statement

At Blackwell & West, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of privacy, confidentiality, and data protection in all aspects of our work. Our services often involve sensitive matters concerning individuals and organisations, and we understand the importance of trust, discretion, and compliance with relevant legal and ethical obligations.

All information provided to Blackwell & West during the course of an investigation is treated as strictly confidential. We take appropriate measures to ensure that:

• Client identities, case details, and findings are not disclosed to any third party without express authorisation or legal obligation.
• Investigations are conducted with discretion to minimise disruption and protect reputations.
• Reports are delivered securely and stored according to professional standards.

Blackwell & West complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 (WA), and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) in the collection, use, and storage of personal information. Where investigations involve personal or sensitive information (e.g., health records, employment matters), we ensure that:

• Information is collected lawfully and only for the purposes of the investigation.
• Individuals' privacy is respected throughout the investigative process.
• Access to personal information is restricted to authorised personnel.
• Information is stored securely and retained only for as long as necessary.

We may be required to disclose information to relevant regulatory or professional bodies where lawful obligations exist (e.g., subpoena, legal proceedings). In such cases, we will:

• Inform the client where appropriate and lawful to do so.
• Ensure any disclosure is limited to what is required by law.
• Support clients in navigating external engagement based on our findings.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting personal information. Where appropriate, individuals may request access to information we hold about them. However, access may be lawfully declined where:

• Providing access would compromise an investigation;
• It would breach confidentiality obligations to our clients;
• It would unreasonably impact the privacy of others;
• Or where legal exemptions under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) apply.

If you have concerns or wish to discuss how your information is being handled, we welcome your enquiry.

If you have any concerns about how your information is handled, or would like to request further details on our privacy practices, please contact us:

Email: admin@blackwellandwest.com.au

We take privacy concerns seriously and will respond to all enquiries in a timely and respectful manner.