Privacy Policy

QAF Legal (“QAF Legal”, “QAF”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal data entrusted to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how QAF Legal collects, uses, processes, stores, discloses and protects personal data obtained through www.qaflegal.com (the “Website”), our client portal, electronic communications, consultations, applications, forms and other services provided by or on behalf of QAF Legal (collectively, the “Platforms”).

This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms of use, Terms of Service, engagement letters and any other applicable contractual terms.

By accessing or using our Website or services, the user (“User”, “you”) acknowledge this Privacy Policy and give his consent to process its personal data for the purposes of business development and providing our services.

The User is free at any time to notice QAF Legal in writing with its intention to withdraw this consent.

For the purpose of providing the best legal services (“Services”) for you and in order to bring a tailored high-quality experience for you, we may collect through the Website the following categories of personal data:

• Contact and identification information, including your name, address, telephone number, email address, nationality, identification documents, date of birth and professional or company details.
• Client and matter information, including information provided during consultations, contracts, correspondence, court and arbitration documents, information relating to disputes or claims, and other information necessary to provide legal services.
• Financial and payment information, including billing details, bank account information, invoices, transaction details and payment records.
• Technical information, including your IP address, browser and device information, operating system, pages visited, date and time of access, cookies and similar technical information.
• We may also collect information relating to third parties where reasonably necessary for a legal matter, including information concerning employees, directors, shareholders, witnesses, counterparties, claimants, defendants, beneficiaries and other relevant individuals.
• Because we are a law firm, information provided to us may include confidential, privileged or sensitive information. We handle such information in accordance with our professional obligations and applicable law.

We may collect personal data when you:

• contact us by telephone, email or other communication channels;
• submit a consultation or case-review request;
• instruct or engage QAF Legal;
• provide documents or information concerning a legal matter;
• use our client portal or other online services;
• subscribe to our legal updates or publications;
• apply for employment, internship or training opportunities; or
• otherwise communicate or interact with us.

We may also collect certain technical information automatically when you use our Website.

Where you provide us with personal data relating to another individual, you should ensure that you are authorised to provide such information where required by applicable law.

QAF Legal may process personal data for purposes including:

• providing legal advice and other legal services;
• assessing and accepting prospective clients and matters;
• conducting conflict-of-interest and due-diligence checks;
• communicating with clients and prospective clients;
• preparing legal documents, contracts, pleadings, submissions and legal opinions;
• conducting legal research and analysis;
• representing clients before courts, arbitral tribunals, regulators and other authorities;
• managing litigation, arbitration and other proceedings;
• complying with applicable legal, regulatory and professional obligations;
• conducting identity, anti-money laundering and sanctions checks where applicable;
• managing billing, payments and client accounts;
• maintaining business and legal records;
• protecting our rights, systems and information;
• improving our Platforms and Services;
• sending legal updates and other communications where permitted; and
• recruiting and managing personnel.

We may also use appropriate technology, including artificial intelligence-enabled tools, to improve the efficiency and quality of our internal operations and Services, subject to applicable legal, professional, confidentiality and contractual requirements.

As a law firm, QAF Legal takes the confidentiality of client information seriously.

Information provided to us through any of our Platforms are protected by legal professional privilege, professional confidentiality obligations, contractual confidentiality obligations and other protections available under applicable law.

We may nevertheless disclose information where required or permitted by law as described in clause 5 below.

Where reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, we may share personal data with:

• service providers supporting our IT, hosting, cybersecurity, communications, document management and administrative functions;
• courts, arbitral tribunals, government authorities, regulators and law-enforcement bodies;
• lawyers, experts, consultants, accountants, auditors, translators, mediators and other professional advisers;
• authorised representatives, employees, directors, officers, insurers or advisers of a client; and
• other parties where disclosure is necessary for the provision of legal services or otherwise permitted or required by law.

Our Website may use cookies and similar technologies to operate and secure the Website, remember preferences, analyse Website performance, understand user interactions and improve your experience.

You may manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect Website functionality.

Our Website may also contain links to third-party websites or platforms. QAF Legal is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third parties. You should review their applicable privacy policies before providing personal information.

QAF Legal takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, alteration or disclosure.

Such measures may include access controls, authentication, secure communications, encryption where appropriate, backups and internal security procedures.

However, no electronic system or method of transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

If QAF Legal becomes aware of a personal data breach, we will assess and address the incident and take any steps required under applicable law, which may include containment, investigation, mitigation and notification of the relevant authorities or affected individuals where required.

We retain personal data for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including to:

• provide Services;
• maintain client and matter records;
• comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations;
• establish, exercise or defend legal claims;
• resolve disputes;
• maintain accounting and financial records; and
• protect our legal rights and interests.

Certain information may be retained for longer where required or permitted by law or professional obligations.

When personal data is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete, destroy or anonymise it, subject to applicable retention requirements.

Where permitted by applicable law, QAF Legal may send you legal updates, newsletters, publications, invitations and information concerning our Services.

You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe option included in the relevant communication or by contacting us.

Opting out of marketing communications will not prevent us from sending communications necessary for an existing legal matter, contractual relationship, payment, security matter or legal obligation.

This Policy, and any dispute arising from or connected with it, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi Emirate.

Either party may send a notice of violation to the defaulting party which shall correct the default within 15 days unless the defaulting party replies with a substantive response that the default or violation includes an involvement of a third party to correct the highlighted violation, and in case the defaulting party refused to correct the violation and/or the defaulting party did not correct the violation within 30 days of the notice the party may file a claim against the defaulting party.

In the event where the dispute cannot be resolved amicably, any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms, including their existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach, termination, or consequences of invalidity, shall be finally resolved by the ADGM courts.

Nothing prevents either party from seeking urgent interim or protective relief from any court where necessary.

Any notice or communication required under this Policy shall be provided through:

• email;
• the Client Portal;
• registered communication;
• any other communication method agreed between the parties.

You are responsible for ensuring that your contact details remain accurate and updated.

To the fullest extent permitted by any applicable law, QAF Legal, its partners, lawyers, employees, consultants, representatives, and affiliates shall not be liable for:

• indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages;
• loss of profits, business opportunities, reputation, data, or anticipated savings;
• damages arising from reliance on general information published on the Website or digital platforms;
• damages resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, or delayed information provided by the User;
• failures, interruptions, or delays caused by third-party providers, communication systems, technology platforms, or events beyond QAF Legal’s reasonable control.

Where liability is established against QAF Legal, such liability shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be limited to the amount of professional fees actually paid by the Client to QAF Legal for the specific legal service giving rise to the claim.

Where no formal client engagement has been established, QAF Legal shall have no liability arising from access to or use of the Website, general information, preliminary assessments, consultations, or digital tools.

QAF Legal may update or modify this Policy from time to time.

Any amendments will become effective upon publication on the Website unless otherwise stated.

Your continued use of the Website or the Platforms following publication of revised Policy constitutes acceptance of those changes.

If any provision of this Policy is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision shall be modified or removed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Failure by QAF Legal to enforce any provision of this Policy shall not constitute a waiver of its right to enforce that provision or any other provision in the future.

QAF Legal may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in applicable law, regulatory requirements, our Services, technology or data-processing practices.

Any updated version will be published on the Website together with the relevant “Last Updated” date.