Privacy Notice

Pollock Actuarial as Expert Witness or Expert Adviser and your data
Pollock Actuarial takes looking after your personal information (known as “data”) very seriously. We are committed to ensuring that your personal data is only used for the specific purposes set out below and that it is secure at all times. Pollock Actuarial is a Data Controller when providing expert witness services. We only process personal information on the instruction of an instructing solicitor. We are also legally responsible for complying with data protection laws.

We have been instructed by your solicitors, or other professional advisers, to perform the actuarial calculations that they require. Our services are required in cases of personal injury, fatal accidents, Employment Tribunals, trust and probate matters or family law proceedings.

Where did we get your data from?
Our instructing solicitor gives us details of your data.

We also collect information when you consent to submitting your details through our website contact form. Anonymised website usage information is also collected through this website’s use of cookies (see below).

Our use of Cookies
Cookies are text files placed on your computer to collect standard internet log information and visitor behaviour information. In general, cookies are used to retain user preferences, store information for things like shopping baskets, and provide anonymised tracking data to third party applications we use such as Google Analytics.

This anonymised information is used to track visitor use of the website, to compile statistical reports on website activity and also closely monitor our website’s security.

For further information visit www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org

You may set your browser to disable cookies / not to accept cookies in the first instance – and the above website links also explain how to remove cookies from your browser.

This website uses the following cookies:

Cookie Name: _ga
Provider: pollockactuarial.co.uk
Type: HTTP
Expiry: 2 years
Purpose: Used to generate statistical data on how a visitor uses the website.

Cookie Name: _gat
Provider: pollockactuarial.co.uk
Type: HTTP
Expiry: Session
Purpose: Used by Google Analytics to throttle request rate.

Cookie Name: _gid
Provider: pollockactuarial.co.uk
Type: HTTP
Expiry: Session
Purpose: Used to generate statistical data on how a visitor uses the website.

Cookie Name: collect
Provider: google-analytics.com
Type: Pixel
Expiry: Session
Purpose: Sends data to Google Analytics about the visitor’s device and behaviour.

Cookie Name: catAccCookies
Provider: pollockactuarial.co.uk
Type: HTTP
Expiry: 29 days
Purpose: Records that you accept the fact that the site uses cookies.

You can also view Google’s own Privacy Policy here.

How will Pollock Actuarial use your data?
Pollock Actuarial have what is called a “legitimate interest” to process your data, through an appointment by our instructing solicitor to provide expert witness or advisory services. Your data will only be used in accordance with this appointment and only if it is necessary for us to undertake these services.

Your data will only be used by Pollock Actuarial for the purpose of undertaking the actuarial calculations that have been requested by your solicitor or other professional adviser.

What information do we need and why?
We do not ask you for any information directly. The only information we process is that provided by our instructing solicitor. The information required will vary depending on the nature of the instructions but may include dates of birth, employment details and medical information.

Who do Pollock Actuarial share your data with?
We may be obliged to share your data with law enforcement and fraud prevention agencies (subject to any requests being legally made) but we will need your consent (or that of your personal representative) to share your data with anybody else. Your data will not be transferred to anyone outside the European Economic Area.

What are your rights?
You have the right to:

• Request copies of the personal data we hold about you and we will provide that within one calendar month. If you wish to do so you should contact us at the address below.
• Correct any information that is incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete.
• Restrict what we do with your information until we correct it or if you believe we are using your data unlawfully.
• Object to our processing based on legitimate interests: however, you must have grounds to object based on your particular situation

Pollock Actuarial has formal documented Information Security and Data Protection policies that set out the security measures currently implemented and maintained. These core policies are supported by additional policies concerning the physical security of our offices and acceptable usage of email, internet facilities and telephone. Copies of these policies are available on request.

How long do we keep the information for?
We retain your information only to demonstrate that Pollock Actuarial is meeting its contractual and legal obligations. This means that we keep all of your information whilst we provide a service to our instructing solicitor and until any possible legal responsibilities or liabilities have ended. In practice this means that we will normally hold your information only until the case has completed, and thereafter only retain the letter of instruction, correspondence, our calculations and our report. These will be destroyed confidentially after 10 years. Any other information will be deleted upon termination of the action. A copy of our retention policy is available on request.

How to complain
If you are not happy with how we process your data, you will have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner and we can provide details about how to do that.

Contacting Pollock Actuarial
Dr John Pollock
Pollock Actuarial, Consulting Actuaries
The Fairmile Building, Sandbank Business Park, Dunoon, Argyll PA23 8PB

Legal Notices & General Data Protection Regulation

Pollock Actuarial Ltd accept instructions from firms of Solicitors and other professional advisers to act as an Expert Witness in legal proceedings relating to Personal Injury, Fatal Accident, Employment and Family matters. The company also acts as an Expert Adviser in Trust & Probate matters. In these matters we act as Data Controllers as defined in the General Data Protection Regulation (hereafter referred to as ‘GDPR’ or ‘the regulations’). This document outlines our approach and policy in several key areas. It also contains details of our terms of business.

Terms of Business
Pollock Actuarial offer a free initial inspection of papers after which a fixed fee will be quoted. It is essential that we are provided with copies of documents, not originals, given our data retention policy. Fees are based on Dr Pollock’s hourly charge out rate which will be advised at the time of quotation. If substantial time is expended on the assignment by non-qualified staff this will be charged at a lower rate, also advised at the time of quotation. All secretarial, postage and accounting overheads are met internally. The cost of peer review is also met internally.

We appreciate that there can be a delay in legal matters being resolved, particularly litigated matters, and payment can be deferred until conclusion of the litigation or one year if earlier. In exceptional circumstances delays in payment beyond one year may be agreed subject to written acceptance of the additional fees involved.

Work completed beyond the preparation of the original report is charged for on an hourly basis. This includes preparation of supplementary reports, consultations with Counsel (by telephone or in person), when agreeing joint statements with other experts and when attending Court. Travel time is charged at between half and full rates depending on mode of travel and disbursements are generally waived, with the exception of international travel.

Cases going to Court require both preparation and diary management and details of cancellation fees will be provided on receipt of requests to attend Court. Pollock Actuarial Ltd have professional indemnity insurance and copy of cover notices can be made available on request.

GDPR – General Principles
Pollock Actuarial are aware of the impact of GDPR and our staff have been made aware of the duties incumbent upon them to be compliant with new legislation. We are documenting the information we hold and its purpose to ensure compliance with GDPR legislation. Appropriate procedures have been implemented to ensure we catalogue what personal data we hold, its source and the use to which it is put. We are content that we have a lawful basis for using personal data; it forms the basis of the calculations that are required of us, most commonly in connection with legal proceedings. No data is shared with others without express permission from our instructing client.

The majority of the company’s activities relate to UK litigated cases but we do occasionally act in foreign jurisdictions, within the EU and outwith the EU. We ensure that appropriate regard is given to the impact of cross-border processes and retention of data in these cases.

We confirm that we have secured premises with key-holders limited to staff members. Personal computers are password protected. Archived files, when stored off-site, are retained by Dataspace (Scotland) Ltd in secured premises at Kippen Station, Kippen, Stirling, FK8 3JA.

No instructing solicitors/advisers, or their clients, are ever contacted outwith the framework of the case in which we are instructed.

Our staff have been trained in procedures to ensure compliance with GDPR, relating to information supplied on paper and in electronic form. In particular detailed mechanisms are in place to ensure that all instructions are time marked, with information on what personal data is held and for what purpose, when personal data in these files will be removed after archival and when files will be completed destroyed.

Data Retention Policy
Pollock Actuarial Ltd are provided with personal information in order to respond to instructing Solicitors (or other advisers). As an example when instructed to perform a pension loss calculation in a case of personal injury we will invariably be provided with the claimant’s date of birth, educational and career background, pay information and medical reports.

Our general policy, given our extensive experience of how long cases tend to take before resolution, is that files containing personal data will be archived after a period of two years. Files will be archived immediately if we are told the case has been finalised within that two year period. At the time of archival all personal data, in paper and/ or electronic form will be destroyed with the exception of a paper copy and an electronic copy of our report, our calculations and correspondence with our instructing client, including accounting material relating to the case. If a matter has to be revisited after the personal data has been destroyed we expect to be provided with copies of the material originally provided by our instructing client. After ten years from the date of receipt of instructions files will be completely and confidentially destroyed. This timescale has been chosen in accordance with the statutory limitation periods for legal claims.

Records are kept on the dates that files containing personal data have been destroyed, or returned to instructing solicitors if this has been requested as an alternative to destruction.

Privacy Notice, Subject Access and Breach Policy
Pollock Actuarial Ltd is a Data Controller for personal data provided to us to enable us to respond to instructions from solicitors or other professional advisers. We confirm that Dr John Pollock is a Data Controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 as amended and as referenced to in the GDPR. Privacy is respected and is only used for specific and lawful purposes as defined by the GDPR. Information is used and handled responsibly and we take other appropriate organisational and technical measures to safeguard personal data from accident or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised access or disclosure. Types of personal information held may include names, addresses, medical details, employment and remuneration details. As we are acting as a Data Controller, our instructing client will need to pass to their own client our Privacy Notice. We require this personal data to lawfully perform the calculations requested of us and this may be discussed with the party that has instructed us. It will not be shared with any third party without express consent from the instructing party and their underlying client.

Access can be requested to personal information that we hold. Requests should be made in writing to Dr John Pollock at Pollock Actuarial, The Fairmile Building, Sandbank Business Park, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8PB. We may require the underlying client to provide verified form of identification in order to process such a subject access request. Copies of data held will be provided free of charge in paper or electronic format as appropriate. If individuals wish to exercise any of their rights under GDPR, such as where they believe any information we hold is incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete, or where they wish to restrict or object to processing then they should contact our Data Protection Officer being Dr John Pollock at Pollock Actuarial, The Fairmile Building, Sandbank Business Park, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8PB. If clients are dissatisfied with the way in which Pollock Actuarial Ltd had used personal data then Dr Pollock should be contacted directly.

Clients have the right to refer any concerns they may have regarding Pollock Actuarial Ltd’s use personal data to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) – more information can be found by visiting the ICO’s website at: www.ico.org.uk.

The GDPR requires that personal data be “adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are provided”. This is the principle of data minimisation. It is preferable that personal information proved electronically is transmitted securely and password protected. Instructing Solicitors/Advisers should send only what personal data is relevant for the purposes of the instruction.

Pollock Actuarial Ltd have implemented technical and organisational procedures for managing, processing, securely storing and destroying personal data, in paper or electronic form. In order to meet the requirements of the regulations we will request and retain only personal data that is relevant for the purposes of our instructions. Premises are secured and computers are password protected. We have firewalls and anti-virus protection. Our data retention policy outlined above is designed to ensure that individuals have the ‘right to be forgotten’.

The GDPR requires Pollock Actuarial Ltd to report certain types of personal data breach to the relevant authority, the ICO, within 72 hours of becoming aware of the event. We will contact the instructing Solicitor/ Adviser within 24 hours to inform them of any breach, together with details of the nature and extent of that breach, and will request they inform their underlying client of any such breach.