Privacy Policy

Last updated: 1 November 2025 

In this Privacy Policy, Black Letter Law (‘BLL’, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’) sets out how we collect, use, store and disclose personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles (‘APPs’). We also comply with the Spam Act 2003 (Cth) for commercial electronic messages. 

By providing personal information to us or using our website, publications, newsletters, forums and related services (together, the Services), you consent to our handling of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy and any additional notices we provide. We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time by publishing an updated version on our website. We encourage you to check our website periodically to ensure you are aware of our current practices. 

Definitions: 

  • Personal Information has the meaning given in the Privacy Act and includes information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. 

  • Sensitive Information has the meaning given in the Privacy Act (e.g. information about health, ethnicity, criminal records). 

  • Website means our public websites, blogs and any social media pages or online forums we operate, including areas where you may post comments or interact with our content. 

  • Services means our legal news, commentary and insights offerings, newsletters, events/webinars and any related products or services we provide. 

The meaning of any general language is not restricted by any accompanying example and the words ‘includes’, ‘including’, ‘such as’, ‘for example’ or similar words are not words of limitation. 

What personal information we collect and why we need it

The nature of your interactions with us will determine the information we collect. This may include: 

  • name, job title, organisation and contact details (email address, telephone number, postal address); 

  • account credentials and preferences if you create an account or subscribe to our newsletters; 

  • information you provide when you post comments on our Website, respond to surveys, register for webinars/events, or contact us; 

  • billing details if you purchase paid offerings (e.g. billing address and limited payment details processed via our payment providers); 

  • usage and device data (see ‘Cookies and tracking technologies’), such as IP address, browser type, pages visited and time/date of visits; 

  • resume/CV and related information if you apply for a role with us; 

  • any other information you choose to provide to us that is reasonably necessary for our functions and activities. 

If you do not provide requested information, we may be unable to deliver some or all of the Services you have requested. 

How we collect personal information 

We generally collect personal information directly from you, including when you: 

  • subscribe to newsletters or alerts; 

  • register for an account, webinar or event; 

  • submit comments on our forums/blog posts or otherwise interact with our content and social media pages; 

  • correspond with us by email, online forms, chat or telephone; or 

  • apply for employment or contract opportunities. 

We may also collect personal information: 

  • through cookies, pixels and similar technologies when you use the Website; 

  • from third parties (e.g. service providers, analytics partners, event partners), publicly available sources, or social media platforms where the information is made public by you; and 

  • when permitted or required by law. 

How we use your personal information 

We use personal information to operate and improve our Services, including to: 

  • provide content, newsletters, alerts, events and account features you request;

  • communicate with you (e.g. service messages, updates, administrative notices and responses to enquiries); 

  • perform analytics, research and reporting to understand readership, measure engagement and improve our content and user experience; 

  • manage our Website, including diagnostics, security and fraud prevention;

  • process payments for paid offerings (through our payment providers); 

  • consider job applications and manage recruitment; 

  • comply with legal and regulatory obligations and enforce our terms; and 

  • for any other purpose for which you have provided consent or would reasonably expect. 

Marketing 

From time to time we may use your personal information to send you legal updates, event invitations, surveys or promotional communications we think may be of interest. You may opt-out at any time by using the unsubscribe link in our emails or by contacting us. We do not use Sensitive Information for marketing. 

Disclosing personal information 

We may disclose personal information to third parties in the following circumstances: 

  • Service providers who assist us in operating the Services (e.g. website hosting, email delivery, analytics, payment processing, event management, IT support). These providers are required to handle personal information only for the purpose of providing services to us. 

  • Business partners in connection with co-hosted events, sponsorships or collaborative publications (where reasonably expected). 

  • Professional advisers (e.g. accountants, auditors, insurers, lawyers) and our related entities (if any). 

  • Law enforcement and regulators where required or authorised by law, a court/tribunal order, or to investigate suspected unlawful activity or serious misconduct. 

  • Corporate transactions, if we undergo a change in control, merger, acquisition or sale of assets, where personal information may be transferred as part of that process. 

  • With your consent, or where the disclosure is reasonably expected in the circumstances. 

User-generated content and public areas 

If you post comments or submit content on our Website or social media pages, that information may be publicly available and may be indexed by search engines. Please do not share confidential or sensitive information in public areas. 

Overseas disclosures

Our service providers and partners may be located, or may store data, outside Australia. Where practicable, we take reasonable steps to ensure such recipients handle personal information in a manner consistent with the APPs. However, some overseas recipients may not be subject to laws substantially similar to the Privacy Act. By using our Services or providing information to us, you consent to the transfer of your personal information to overseas recipients. If you do not consent to overseas disclosures, please do not submit personal information or contact us to discuss alternatives. 

Cookies and tracking technologies 

We use cookies, pixels, web beacons and similar technologies to operate the Website, remember your preferences, analyse usage and improve our Services. Cookies may be session cookies (deleted on browser close) or persistent cookies (stored until expiry or deletion). You can manage cookies through your browser settings, but some features of the Website may not function properly if cookies are disabled. We may use third-party analytics and measurement tools that collect information about your use of the Services (for example, page views, time on page and referral information). Where such information is linked to an account, it may be treated as personal information and handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy. 

Security 

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Measures include administrative, technical and physical safeguards, role-based access controls and staff awareness. However, the internet is not completely secure and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You should keep your account credentials confidential and notify us promptly of any suspected breach. Retention We retain personal information for as long as needed to provide the Services and for legitimate business purposes, including to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce agreements. Information in backups may be retained for a longer period for business continuity purposes and will be deleted in the ordinary course of our backup lifecycle.

Links to other sites 

Our Website may contain links to websites or services operated by third parties. Those sites are not under our control and are subject to their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices or security of those third-party sites. 

Changes to this Privacy Policy 

This document sets out our current Privacy Policy. We may update it periodically and will post the updated version on our Website. Changes take effect when published unless otherwise stated. 

Note about legal services and privilege 

BLL is a legal news and insights forum. We do not provide legal services or accept confidential instructions through public channels. Do not submit confidential or sensitive information through comments or forms. If you do engage us or a related entity for legal services under a separate engagement, different terms (including confidentiality and, where applicable, legal professional privilege) may apply and will be communicated at that time.

Contact us 

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us.