Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

MK ILA ("we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect information when you use our Independent Legal Advice services or visit our website.

2. About Us

MK ILA provides non-reserved legal services, specifically Independent Legal Advice (ILA) certificates. While MK ILA is not authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Malik Khalid, the proprietor, is a solicitor personally regulated by the SRA. As such, we adhere to the SRA Principles and the Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs, RFLs, and RSLs.

3. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal data:

• Identity Information: Full name
• Contact Information: Email address, telephone number
• Enquiry Details: Services required, urgency level, lender name (if applicable)
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, and usage information when you visit our website
• Consent Records: Records of permissions and consents given

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

• To respond to your enquiries and provide requested services
• To provide Independent Legal Advice and related certificates
• To communicate with you about your matter
• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations
• To improve our services and website
• To send confirmation and follow-up communications regarding your enquiry

5. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

• Consent: Where you have provided explicit consent for us to contact you and process your enquiry
• Contract: Where processing is necessary to provide our services to you
• Legal Obligation: Where we are required to comply with regulatory or legal requirements
• Legitimate Interest: Where processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests

6. Data Sharing

We may share your personal data with:

• Lenders and other parties as necessary to provide our services
• Professional advisers and regulatory authorities
• Service providers who assist in operating our business (subject to appropriate safeguards)

We will never sell your personal data to third parties.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy any legal, regulatory, or professional requirements. For legal matters, this is typically a minimum of six years from the conclusion of the matter.

8. Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

• Right of Access: To request copies of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: To request correction of inaccurate data
• Right to Erasure: To request deletion of your data (in certain circumstances)
• Right to Restrict Processing: To request limitation on how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: To request transfer of your data to another provider
• Right to Object: To object to certain processing activities
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes secure storage, access controls, and encryption where appropriate.

10. Cookies

Our website may use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. You can control cookie settings through your browser. Essential cookies are necessary for the website to function properly.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Complaints

MK ILA is not overseen by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which means the SRA Compensation Fund would not be available to you. That fund is designed to help clients where an SRA-regulated solicitor or firm has caused financial loss, for example through dishonesty or by not properly handling client money.

As MK ILA is not authorised by the SRA, the Legal Ombudsman cannot look at complaints about the business itself. However, if your concern relates to the service or professional behaviour of the solicitor who advised you, you may still be able to raise a complaint with the Legal Ombudsman about that individual.