Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 9th November 2025

Welcome to the website of Charles Colombia Consultancy (“the Firm”, “we”, “our”, or “us”). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information in compliance with the Botswana Data Protection Act, 2018. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website or engage our legal services.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information from you in the following ways:

• Directly from you: When you contact us via our website, email, telephone, or in person.
• Automatically: Through cookies and similar technologies when you browse our website.
• From third parties: Where permitted by law, such as referrals, partners, or public databases.

The types of personal information we may collect include:

• Full name, email address, phone number, and postal address
• Identification documents and professional or company details
• Information related to your legal inquiry or matter
• Billing, payment, or financial information (if applicable)
• Technical data such as IP address, browser type, and device information

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information only for lawful purposes, including:

• To respond to inquiries and provide legal advice or services
• To manage our client relationships and communications
• To process payments and issue invoices
• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations
• To improve our website, marketing, and client experience
• To maintain records in accordance with professional and statutory requirements

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on one or more of the following legal grounds:

• Your consent (for example, when you voluntarily provide your information through our contact form)
• Performance of a contract (where processing is necessary to deliver legal services you have requested)
• Legal obligation (to comply with Botswana’s laws, court orders, or regulatory requirements)
• Legitimate interests (to improve service delivery, manage client relationships, and protect our rights)

4. Sharing of Information

We do not sell or rent personal data to third parties. However, we may share information where necessary to:

• Engage third-party service providers (such as IT support, website hosting, or accounting) who are bound by confidentiality agreements
• Comply with legal or regulatory obligations, including disclosures to courts, regulators, or law enforcement agencies
• Protect the rights, safety, or property of the firm, our clients, or the public

All third parties handling your data are required to process it securely and in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

5. Data Storage and Security

We maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration.

All personal data is stored securely on encrypted systems, and access is restricted to authorized personnel only. When transmitting data online, we use secure communication protocols (such as SSL encryption).

6. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected or as required by law.
Once the retention period expires, data will be securely deleted or anonymized in accordance with professional and regulatory standards.

7. Your Rights

Under the Botswana Data Protection Act, you have the right to:

• Access your personal data held by us
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Request deletion of personal data in certain circumstances
• Object to processing for direct marketing or other legitimate grounds
• Lodge a complaint with the Information and Data Protection Commission (IDPC) if you believe your data has been misused

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

8. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and collect anonymous statistical data about website usage.
Cookies do not collect personal information unless you voluntarily provide it.

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings, but doing so may affect certain site functionalities.

We may also use third-party analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to understand user behavior and improve website performance.

9. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites operated by third parties.
We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy statements of any third-party sites you visit.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not directed toward children under the age of 18.
We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If you believe that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete it.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal or operational changes.
The latest version will always be posted on this page with the effective date indicated above.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:

Charles Colombia Consultancy
Gaborone, Botswana
Email: info@charlescolombialaw.co.bw