Version: 1.0

Effective Date: 30th June 2026

Review Date: 30th June 2027

Document Owner: Rhiannon Ford

Classification: Public

Your Privacy Matters

When you are going through a divorce or separation, you may need to share some of the most personal information about your life.

This might include information about your relationship, children, finances, property, health, family circumstances or court proceedings.

I understand how important it is that you feel confident your information will be treated with care, respect and confidentiality.

Protecting your privacy is not simply a legal obligation; it’s a fundamental part of the way I work.

This Privacy Policy explains:

• • what personal information I collect;
  • why I collect it;
  • how I use it;
  • how I keep it secure;
  • who I may share it with;
  • how long I keep it;
  • your rights under UK data protection law; and
  • what to do if you have any questions or concerns.

My aim is to explain these matters in clear, straightforward language rather than legal jargon.

 

1. About Rhiannon Ford Divorce Consultancy

Rhiannon Ford Divorce Consultancy provides independent divorce consultancy and support services to individuals across England and Wales.

My services include, amongst others:

• • Divorce and separation consultancy
  • Court preparation
  • Witness familiarisation training
  • Form E support
  • Financial disclosure support
  • Child arrangements support
  • Mediation preparation
  • Arbitration preparation
  • Practical and emotional support throughout divorce and separation
  • Educational resources, guides and digital products

Although I am a former family law solicitor with over 25 years’ experience, I no longer practise as a solicitor. My services are consultancy and support services designed to complement, not replace, independent legal advice.

 

2. Who is responsible for your personal information?

For the purposes of UK data protection law, Rhiannon Ford Divorce Consultancy is the Data Controller responsible for deciding how your personal information is collected, used, stored and protected.

Contact Details

Rhiannon Ford Divorce Consultancy

Website: www.rhiannonford.co.uk

Email: rhiannon@rhiannonford.co.uk

Telephone: 07970231744

ICO Registration Number: Z3531543

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact me using the details above.

 

3. Scope of this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies whenever you interact with Rhiannon Ford Divorce Consultancy, including when you:

• • visit my website;
  • contact me by telephone or email;
  • submit an enquiry through my website;
  • subscribe to my newsletter;
  • download a free guide or resource;
  • purchase a digital product;
  • book a consultation;
  • become a client;
  • attend witness familiarisation training;
  • receive divorce consultancy services;
  • participate in meetings using Microsoft Teams or Zoom; or
  • communicate with me through social media or other online platforms.

It also applies where you authorise me to communicate with your solicitor, mediator, barrister, financial adviser or other professionals involved in your matter.

 

4. My Privacy Principles

Everything I do is guided by the following principles.

Confidentiality

I understand that clients often share deeply personal information with me. I treat that information with the utmost care and confidentiality.

Respect

I recognise that every client’s circumstances are unique. Your information will always be handled respectfully and sensitively.

Transparency

I believe you should understand how your information is collected and used.

Security

I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information against unauthorised access, loss or misuse.

Accountability

I continually review my policies and procedures to ensure they remain compliant with current UK data protection law and reflect good professional practice.

 

5. The Personal Information I Collect

The information I collect depends on the services you receive and how you interact with my business.

This may include:

Contact Information

• • Name
  • Postal address
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • Preferred method of communication

Identity Information

Where appropriate, this may include:

• • Date of birth
  • Identification documents
  • Proof of address
  • Family information

For example:

• • Marital status
  • Family relationships
  • Information about children
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Safeguarding concerns

Financial Information

Where relevant to the support I provide, this may include:

• • Income
  • Expenditure
  • Assets
  • Liabilities
  • Pensions
  • Property ownership
  • Business interests
  • Financial disclosure documents
  • Form E information

Legal Information

Including, where relevant:

• • Court applications
  • Court orders
  • Witness statements
  • Positions statements
  • Correspondence from solicitors
  • Mediation documents
  • Arbitration papers
  • Expert reports

Health Information

Some clients choose to share information relating to their physical or mental health where it is relevant to the support I provide.

This may include information about:

• • Disability
  • Menopause
  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Medication
  • Other health conditions relevant to your circumstances

Website Information

When you visit my website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, such as:

• • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Device information
  • Pages visited
  • Date and time of your visit
  • Website usage statistics

This information helps me improve my website and understand how visitors use it.

 

6. Special Category Personal Information

Because of the nature of my work, I sometimes process information that UK GDPR classifies as special category personal data.

This may include information relating to:

• • physical or mental health;
  • disability;
  • neurodiversity;
  • racial or ethnic origin (where relevant);
  • religious beliefs (where relevant);
  • sexual orientation (where relevant);
  • domestic abuse;
  • safeguarding concerns.

I only process this information where it is necessary to provide my services, where you have chosen to share it with me, or where another lawful basis applies under UK data protection law. Appropriate safeguards are in place to protect this information.

My Commitment to You

I understand that trusting someone with your personal information is a significant step.

I am committed to handling your information responsibly, protecting your confidentiality and using your information only for legitimate purposes connected with the services I provide.

 

12. Responsible Use of Technology

Technology helps me deliver an efficient, secure and professional service while protecting the confidentiality of the personal information entrusted to me.

I use carefully selected technology to support the day-to-day running of my business, communicate with clients, securely store documents, manage appointments, process payments and provide the services you have asked me to deliver.

The principal systems I currently use include:

• • Dubsado
  • Microsoft OneDrive
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Zoom
  • WooCommerce
  • Stripe
  • MailerLite
  • Xero
  • WooCommerce
  • Empowered Online (website hosting and support)

These providers process personal information only where necessary to provide their services. I select providers that are reputable, committed to information security and, where appropriate, comply with UK GDPR and other applicable data protection requirements.

As my business develops, the technology and service providers I use may change. This Privacy Policy will be updated where any significant change affects the way your personal information is processed.

 

Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Like many modern professional practices, I may use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist with administrative tasks, drafting documents, creating educational content and improving the efficiency of my business.

Any use of AI is carefully considered and subject to my professional judgement.

Where AI technology is used:

• • I remain personally responsible for all work produced and all communications sent to clients.
  • AI is used as a support tool only and never replaces my professional judgement or individual consideration of a client’s circumstances.
  • Where appropriate and practicable, I minimise or remove identifying personal information before using AI tools. Where this is not possible because the AI tool is being used to assist with work directly relating to your matter, I only use services that I consider appropriate for professional use, and I remain responsible for protecting your confidentiality.
  • AI is not used to make automated decisions about clients or to determine the outcome of any matter.
  • All AI-assisted content is reviewed and, where necessary, amended before it is shared or relied upon.

Protecting your confidentiality remains my priority, regardless of the technology used.

I will continue to review developments in technology to ensure that any systems I use remain appropriate, secure and consistent with my professional responsibilities.

 

13. Third-Party Service Providers

To operate my business efficiently, I use a number of carefully selected third-party organisations to provide specialist services.

These organisations only receive personal information where it is necessary for them to provide the services, I have engaged them to perform.

The principal providers currently used by Rhiannon Ford Divorce Consultancy include:

Provider

Dubsado

Microsoft 365

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft Teams and Zoom

Empowered Online

WooCommerce

Stripe

MailerLite

Xero

Google Analytics

Hotjar

hCaptcha

These providers may process personal information on my behalf in accordance with their own privacy policies and contractual obligations.

Where personal information is transferred outside the United Kingdom, appropriate safeguards will be in place as required by UK data protection law.

I do not sell personal information.

I do not permit third parties to use your personal information for their own direct marketing.

Our Commitment to Information Security

Divorce and separation often involve sharing information that is deeply personal and confidential.

I understand the trust that clients place in me when they share information about their relationships, children, finances, health or court proceedings.

Protecting that information is one of the foundations of my practice.

Every decision I make about technology, systems and information security is guided by one simple principle:

Your information should remain secure, confidential and treated with the respect it deserves.

 

14. International Transfers of Personal Information

Some of the trusted service providers I use to operate my business may store or process personal information outside the United Kingdom.

For example, some cloud-based software providers may use data centres located in other countries.

Where this happens, I take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place so that your personal information continues to receive an appropriate level of protection in accordance with UK data protection law.

These safeguards may include:

• • the UK International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA);
  • the UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses;
  • adequacy regulations issued by the UK Government; or
  • other lawful safeguards permitted under UK GDPR.

I only use reputable service providers that demonstrate an appropriate commitment to protecting personal information.

 

15. How Long I Keep Your Information

I will only keep your personal information for as long as it is reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or where I am required to do so by law.

When deciding how long to keep information, I consider:

• • legal obligations;
  • professional requirements;
  • accounting and taxation rules;
  • the nature of the services provided;
  • the sensitivity of the information; and
  • whether there is an ongoing need to retain it.

The following table provides a general guide.

Typical Retention Period

12 months

12 months

6 years after the matter concludes

6 years

6 years (or longer where required by law)

6 years

Until consent is withdrawn or you unsubscribe

In accordance with the relevant analytics settings

At the end of the relevant retention period, information will be securely deleted, destroyed or anonymised where appropriate.

16. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have a number of important rights in relation to your personal information.

These include the right to:

Access

Request a copy of the personal information I hold about you.

Rectification

Ask me to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.

Erasure

Request that your personal information be deleted where there is no lawful reason for me to continue processing it.

Restriction

Ask me to restrict the way I use your information in certain circumstances.

Data Portability

Request that certain personal information be provided to you in a commonly used electronic format.

Object

Object to certain types of processing where permitted by law.

Withdraw Consent

Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

Complain

Raise concerns about how your personal information has been handled.

Some of these rights are subject to legal exemptions.

If you wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact me using the details provided in this Privacy Policy.

I aim to respond to all legitimate requests without undue delay and, in most cases, within one month.

 

17. Subject Access Requests

You have the right to request a copy of the personal information I hold about you.

This is known as a Subject Access Request (SAR).

You do not need to use any particular form or wording.

If you would like to make a request, please contact me by email or in writing.

To protect your privacy, I may ask for proof of identity before providing information.

There is normally no charge for responding to a Subject Access Request.

However, a reasonable fee may be charged where requests are manifestly unfounded, excessive or repetitive, as permitted by UK GDPR.

 

18. Marketing Communications

If you subscribe to my newsletter, download a free resource or otherwise choose to receive updates from me, I may send you information about:

• • new services;
  • articles and blogs;
  • guides and resources;
  • events and webinars;
  • newsletters;
  • special offers.

I will only send marketing communications where I have an appropriate lawful basis to do so.

You can unsubscribe at any time by:

• • clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email; or
  • contacting me directly.

Once you unsubscribe, I will stop sending marketing communications, although I may still contact you where necessary in connection with services you have requested.

I do not sell or rent marketing lists.

 

19. Cookies and Website Analytics

My website uses cookies and similar technologies to help improve your experience and understand how visitors use the website.

Cookies may be used to:

• • remember your preferences;
  • analyse website traffic;
  • improve website performance;
  • enhance website functionality.

Where required by law, you will be asked for your consent before non-essential cookies are placed on your device.

You can change your cookie preferences at any time through your browser settings or any cookie management tool provided on my website.

Further information is available in my Cookie Policy.

 

20. Data Protection Complaints

I hope you will never have reason to be unhappy with the way I handle your personal information.

However, if you have any concerns, I encourage you to contact me in the first instance so that I have the opportunity to investigate and resolve the matter promptly and fairly.

You can raise a concern by contacting:

Email: rhiannon@rhiannonford.co.uk

When I receive a data protection complaint, I will:

• • acknowledge your concern as soon as reasonably practicable;
  • investigate the matter carefully;
  • keep you informed where appropriate;
  • provide a clear response;
  • explain any action I have taken.

My aim is to resolve concerns quickly, openly and fairly.

 

21. Complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office

If you remain dissatisfied after I have considered your concerns, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s independent authority responsible for upholding information rights.

The ICO’s contact details can be found on its official website.

I would always appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns before you contact the ICO, but this does not affect your legal right to make a complaint at any time.

 

22. Changes to this Privacy Policy

I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

• • changes in the law;
  • changes to the services I provide;
  • improvements to my business systems;
  • developments in technology; or
  • changes to the way personal information is processed.

The latest version will always be published on my website.

I encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how your personal information is protected.

Contact Me

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact:

Rhiannon Ford Divorce Consultancy

Email: rhiannon@rhiannonford.co.uk

Website: www.rhiannonford.co.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this Privacy Policy.

Protecting your privacy and maintaining your trust are fundamental to the way I work.