01Who we are and what this policy covers
LAO INTER-LAW CO., LTD ("LAO INTER-LAW", "we", "us" or "our") respects your privacy and the confidential nature of legal enquiries.
This policy explains how we collect, use, retain and disclose personal information when you visit laointerlaw.com.la, submit a consultation request, or communicate with us about that request. We handle this information in accordance with applicable laws of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, including its Law on Electronic Data Protection.
If we agree to act for you, we will explain any additional information handling relevant to your engagement. This website policy does not replace our engagement terms or professional confidentiality duties.
Our LegalTech client platform is in development. This policy describes the public website and enquiry process; any future platform will have appropriate privacy information before it collects client information.
02Information we collect
Information you provide. When you use our consultation form, we receive your name, email address or telephone number, selected type of legal matter, brief description, and the language version of the page used. We also receive information you choose to provide in subsequent emails or conversations.
Please provide only the information needed to explain your enquiry. Do not submit identity documents, bank details, medical information, detailed evidence or other sensitive or confidential material through the initial contact form. If further information is needed, we will discuss an appropriate way to provide it.
If you provide information about another person, ensure that you are entitled to share it and, where appropriate and lawful, make them aware of this policy.
Technical information. Our hosting services may record information such as your IP address, browser or device information, requested pages, access times and technical errors. This supports website delivery, security and troubleshooting.
Delivery of enquiries. The contact form sends your enquiry to our firm's email account. The website application does not maintain a separate database of form submissions. Enquiries can nevertheless remain in our email systems, subsequent correspondence and relevant backups.
03Why we use your information
We use information relevant to your enquiry to:
- understand your request and contact you using the details you provide;
- assess whether we can assist, including identifying potential conflicts of interest;
- arrange a consultation and discuss a possible engagement;
- keep an appropriate record of our communications;
- operate and protect the website, prevent misuse and investigate technical problems; and
- meet applicable legal requirements or establish, exercise or defend legal rights, where the law permits or requires that use.
The form identifies the information needed to send a request. Without sufficient contact details and a brief explanation, we may be unable to respond or assess whether we can assist.
We obtain consent where required for the collection, use or disclosure of information. Where a legal requirement permits or requires processing without consent, we limit that processing to its lawful purpose. Simply visiting the website does not constitute consent to unrelated uses of your information.
Sending an enquiry does not subscribe you to marketing communications. Any future marketing subscription will be offered separately, with an appropriate choice and a way to unsubscribe.
04Legal enquiries and confidentiality
We handle legal enquiries with care and restrict access to people who need the information for the purposes described in this policy.
Sending a message, requesting a consultation or receiving an initial response does not by itself establish a lawyer-client relationship. Representation begins only when we expressly agree to act for you.
The confidentiality or legal privilege attaching to a communication depends on the circumstances and applicable law. Please wait until we have checked whether we can assist and explained how to send documents before providing sensitive case materials. Nothing in this policy waives any confidentiality obligation or legal privilege that applies.
05Who may receive your information
We do not sell personal information or disclose enquiry information to third parties for their own advertising.
Access or disclosure is limited to what is reasonably necessary and legally permitted:
- Our personnel: members of our legal, administrative and technical teams who need the information to handle the enquiry or support the relevant systems.
- Service providers: providers of website hosting, email, technical support and related storage or backup services, to the extent needed to perform those services.
- Professional advisers: advisers assisting with a relevant legal, regulatory or insurance issue, where disclosure is lawful and consistent with our confidentiality duties.
- Authorities or other legally entitled recipients: where disclosure is required by applicable law or a valid legal process.
- Other recipients you authorise: for example, an external lawyer to whom you ask us to refer your enquiry.
We require appropriate confidentiality and security arrangements from providers handling information on our behalf. Where consent is required for a disclosure, we obtain it before disclosing the information.
For a request from an authority, we assess its legal basis and scope and any applicable confidentiality or privilege protections. We disclose only information that we are legally required or permitted to disclose.
06Where information is processed
Our firm operates in the Lao PDR. Website hosting, email delivery, storage, backups or technical support may involve processing in another country.
Providers and processing locations: our website and firm email run on a managed web-hosting service administered through cPanel. Details of the hosting provider and the countries in which enquiry information is stored or accessed are available on request at contact@laointerlaw.com.la.
Before an overseas transfer, we assess the applicable requirements, the recipient's ability to protect the information and the purpose of the transfer. We obtain any required consent or authorisation and put appropriate safeguards in place.
Where your consent is required, we explain the relevant recipient, destination and purpose before asking you to agree. This policy alone does not authorise an overseas transfer.
07How long we keep information
We keep information only for as long as needed for the purposes explained in this policy, taking account of applicable legal requirements and any justified need to preserve records.
| Record category | Retention period |
|---|---|
| Enquiries that do not lead to an engagement, including related emails | 12 months from the date we receive the request. |
| Website access and error logs | Kept for 90 days, then deleted automatically. Used only to diagnose website problems and investigate irregular activity. Logs do not record what you type into the form, passwords or case information. |
| Website backups | Made daily, and again before any major website change. Each copy expires after 30 days. Backups are encrypted, stored separately from the web server and test-restored every three months. Logs are kept outside the backup set, so they are not retained beyond 90 days. |
If an enquiry leads to an engagement, relevant information may become part of the client file and be retained under the retention arrangements communicated for that engagement.
We may retain particular records for longer where the law requires or permits it, including for an identified dispute or legal preservation obligation. When retention is no longer justified, we delete the information securely or anonymise it so that it no longer identifies you. Backup copies expire under the applicable backup cycle.
08How we protect information
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures appropriate to the information and the risks involved. These include managing access to enquiry records and working with our service providers to maintain appropriate safeguards.
No website, email service or storage system can guarantee absolute security. If we become aware of a security incident affecting information we hold, we will investigate, take appropriate steps to contain and address it, and make notifications required by applicable law.
09Cookies and tracking
The current website does not use analytics cookies, advertising pixels or behavioural tracking scripts. Its fonts and images are served from the website itself. Ordinary server logging, described above, is separate from cookies or advertising tracking.
If we introduce cookies or similar technologies, we will update this policy or provide a separate notice explaining their purpose and any available choices, and obtain consent where required before using them.
10Your choices, requests and complaints
Subject to applicable law, you may request access to your information, correction of inaccurate information, deletion, or that we stop sending or transferring your information to others.
Where we rely on your consent, you may withdraw it by contacting us. Withdrawal applies to future processing based on that consent and may affect our ability to continue dealing with your enquiry. It does not automatically require deletion of records we must or may lawfully retain.
Please send requests to contact@laointerlaw.com.la, using the subject line "Privacy request". Tell us what you would like us to do and provide enough information to identify the relevant correspondence. Do not send an identity document unless we request it through an appropriate channel.
We may take proportionate steps to verify your identity or authority before responding. We will address your request promptly and within any applicable legal deadline. If we cannot fulfil all or part of it, we will explain the reason where legally permitted, including any relevant retention duty or protection of another person's rights.
You may also contact us with a privacy concern or complaint. You retain any right available under applicable law to raise the matter with a competent authority or seek a legal remedy.
11Children and external services
This website is intended for people seeking legal information or professional services and is not directed at children. If an enquiry involves a child, please contact us before submitting the child's personal or sensitive information so that we can discuss appropriate arrangements.
When you follow an external link or communicate through a third-party service, that provider may handle information under its own privacy terms. Please review those terms before sharing information.
12Changes to this policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes to our practices, website or applicable law. The current version will display its effective date and last updated date. Where a change requires further notice or consent, we will provide that notice or seek consent before making the relevant change to our use of information.
13Contact us
LAO INTER-LAW CO., LTD
Attention: Privacy enquiries
NNN BLDG, A3-1st Floor, Boulichanh Road, Unit 5
Phonsinouan, Sisattanak, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Email: contact@laointerlaw.com.la
Telephone: +856 20 95 363 282
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30–17:00, Vientiane time