1.1 What information do we collect?
We may collect, store and process the following data about you:-
- information about your computer and about your visits to and use of this website (including geographical location, browser type, referral source, length of visit and number of page views
- information that you provide to us for the purpose of filling in forms on our site
- any other information that you choose to send to us
1.2 Uses made of Information
- To allow us to process any online requests for information. The relevant information is used by us, to find the right person to deal with your enquiry and to communicate with you on any matter relating to the enquiry.
- To provide you with information or services that you request from us where you have consented to be contacted for such purposes.
- We may also use information and statistics for monitoring website usage purposes in order to help us develop the website and our services.
- We do not sell or otherwise make data commercially available to any third party.
2.1 Cookies & Information gathering technology
A cookie consists of information sent by a web server to a web browser, and stored by the browser. The information is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. This enables the web server to identify and track the web browser.
Most browsers allow you to reject all cookies, whilst some browsers allow you to reject just third party cookies. For example, in Internet Explorer you can refuse all cookies by clicking ‘Tools’, ‘Internet Options’, ‘Privacy’, and selecting ‘Block all cookies’ using the sliding selector. Blocking all cookies will, however, have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites. Session cookies will be deleted from your computer when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain stored on your computer until deleted, or until they reach a specified expiry date.
We may collection information about your computer, including where available your IP address, operating system, browser type and geographical location (based on an approximate area only and not full address details). This data is used to understand users’ browsing actions and patterns, and does not identify any individual. These cookies are generally controlled by the use of Google Analytics. Please refer to the Google for full details of how they use cookies. Hardmans use a Content Management Program to look after our website which automatically drops five session cookies in to your browser when you visit. These cookie are not used by Hardmans or any other third party. These session cookies are required to ensure the forms on our site work correctly. These sessions cookies should expire when you leave our site.
When you enter our site for the first time, you will be asked permission to allow Google to drop some cookies into your browser. These cookies are used for statistic purposes only and should not collect any personal information about you. Please refer to 2.1a below which explains more about Google Cookies.
Alternatively, you can visit www.aboutcookies.org which contains information about cookies and how to block them. You can also find useful information about deleting cookies.
2.1a Cookies set by Google Analytics
| Name | Description | Expiration |
|---|---|---|
__utma |
This cookie is typically written to the browser upon the first visit to your site from that web browser. If the cookie has been deleted by the browser operator, and the browser subsequently visits our site, a new __utma cookie is written with a different unique ID. This cookie is used to determine unique visitors to our site and it is updated with each page view. Additionally, this cookie is provided with a unique ID that Google Analytics uses to ensure both the validity and accessibility of the cookie as an extra security measure. |
2 years from set/update. |
__utmb |
This cookie is used to establish and continue a user session with our site. When you view a page on our site, the Google Analytics code attempts to update this cookie. If it does not find the cookie, a new one is written and a new session is established. Each time you visit a different page on our site, this cookie is updated to expire in 30 minutes, thus continuing a single session for as long as user activity continues within 30-minute intervals. This cookie expires when a user pauses on a page on your site for longer than 30 minutes. | 30 minutes from set/update. |
__utmc |
This cookie operates in conjunction with the __utmb cookie to determine whether or not to establish a new session for the user. In particular, this cookie is not provided with an expiration date, so it expires when the user exits the browser. Should you visit our site, exit the browser and then return to our website within 30 minutes, the absence of the __utmc cookie indicates that a new session needs to be established, despite the fact that the __utmb cookie has not yet expired. |
Not set. |
__utmz |
This cookie stores the type of referral used by the visitor to reach our site, whether via a direct method, a referring link, a website search, or a campaign such as an ad or an email link. It is used to calculate search engine traffic, ad campaigns and page navigation within our own site. The cookie is updated with each page view to our site. | 6 months from set/update. |
__utmv |
This cookie is not normally present in a default configuration of the tracking code. The __utmv cookie passes the information provided via the_setVar() method. This string is then passed to the Analytics servers in the GIF request URL via the utmcc parameter. |
2 years from set/update. |
2.2 Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to analyse the use of this website. Google Analytics generates statistical and other information about website use by means of cookies, which are stored on users’ computers. The information generated relating to our website is used to create reports about the use of the website. Google will store this information. Google’s privacy policy is available at: http://www.google.co.uk/privacypolicy.html
3. Using your personal data
- administer the website
- send you information about our services requested by you via the website
- deal with enquiries and complaints made by or about you relating to the website
We will not without your express consent provide your personal information to any third parties for the purpose of direct marketing.
4. Disclosures
We may disclose information about you to any of our employees, officers, agents insofar as reasonably necessary for the purposes as set out in this privacy policy.
In addition, we may disclose information about you:-
- to the extent that we are required to do so by law;
- insofar as is necessary in order to carry out work under your instruction upon signing our client care letter and terms and conditions of business
except as provided in this privacy policy, we will not provide your information to third parties.
5. Security of your information
Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is not completely secure. We will take reasonable technical and organisational precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of your personal information. We cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted to our site; any transmission is at your own risk.
Our computer systems and internal networks are restricted to authorised users by our security software and Firewall system and by the use of passwords both on our computer system and databases.
Data held on our server is backed up every day to ensure prevent loss of information and vital data. The backup hard drive is removed from the site daily to ensure there is always a secure second source for our information and data. This backup hard drive is protected by an encrypted password and the data is not generally available to any unauthorised users.
Hardmans is bound by professional rules of conduct to ensure that any correspondence passing between us is kept confidential.
6. Policy amendments
We may update this privacy policy from time to time by posting a new version on our website. You should check this page occasionally to ensure you are happy with any changes.
7. Your rights
You have the right to ask us not to process your personal data for marketing purposes. We will usually inform you (before collecting your data) if we intend to use your data for such purposes or if we intend to disclose your information to any third party for such purposes.
You may instruct us to provide you with any personal information we hold about you. To obtain such information a request must be made in writing to the Senior Partner of the firm.
8. External links and third party websites
This website contains links to other websites. Hardmans cannot accept responsibility for the privacy policies or practices of third party websites. Please check the policies carefully on third party websites before submitting any personal data.
9. Updating information
Please let us know if the personal information which we hold about you needs to be corrected or updated. You can also send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or complete the contact form on the main page of this website.
10. Contact
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our treatment of your personal data, please write to us by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to Hardmans, 4-6 Park Street, Deal, Kent, CT14 6AQ.
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