Practical legal guidance on the obligations that come with operating online or in the digital space.
Operating a digital business or online platform comes with specific legal obligations — from POPIA compliance and privacy policies to e-commerce regulations and software contracts. HvS Attorneys provides accessible, jargon-free legal guidance for businesses navigating the digital legal landscape.
We assist SMEs, e-commerce businesses, and startups with POPIA compliance frameworks, website terms and conditions, software and SaaS contracts, and exposure under the Cybercrimes Act. Our advice is practical and focused on what your business actually needs to comply and operate safely.
What We Cover
POPIA Compliance
Digital Contracts
E-Commerce & ECTA
Cybercrimes Act
Emerging Technologies
Who This Is For
SMEs, e-commerce businesses, and startups that need practical legal help navigating POPIA, digital contracts, and online legal obligations.
Effective Date: 1 January 2025 · Last Updated: April 2025
1. Introduction
HvS Attorneys (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals who interact with our website, engage our services, or submit information through our digital platforms. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of personal information:
Name, surname, and contact details (email address, phone number)
Information submitted through our enquiry or contact forms
Information voluntarily shared in the course of a consultation or legal engagement
Technical data such as IP address, browser type, and website usage data collected via analytics tools
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to respond to enquiries, schedule and conduct consultations, provide legal services where an attorney-client relationship has been established, comply with legal and professional obligations, and improve the functionality of our website.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
We process personal information on the basis of consent (where provided), the necessity to fulfil a contractual or pre-contractual obligation, our legitimate interests in operating a professional legal practice, and our legal obligations under South African law.
5. Sharing of Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating our practice (such as scheduling platforms or IT service providers), subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations. We may also disclose information where required by law or professional regulatory requirements.
6. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or alteration.
7. Retention of Information
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, to comply with legal obligations, or to resolve disputes. Client files are retained in accordance with the requirements of the Legal Practice Act and applicable professional rules.
8. Your Rights
You have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information held by us, subject to applicable legal and professional obligations. Requests may be directed to enquiries@hvslegal.co.za.
9. Cookies and Analytics
Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to improve user experience and collect anonymised usage data. You may adjust your browser settings to disable cookies, although this may affect certain functionality.
10. Contact
For any privacy-related queries, please contact us at enquiries@hvslegal.co.za or +27 10 143 0185.
POPIA Notice
In terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) · Effective: April 2025
This notice is provided in compliance with POPIA to inform you of your rights regarding the processing of your personal information by HvS Attorneys as the Responsible Party.
3. Categories of Personal Information Processed
Identifying information: name, surname, identity number (where required)
Matter-specific information shared in the course of legal consultations or engagements
Financial information where relevant to billing or legal matters
4. Lawful Basis for Processing
We process personal information under POPIA on one or more of the following grounds: consent of the data subject; necessity to fulfil a contract; necessity to comply with a legal obligation; or legitimate interests of the Responsible Party.
5. Rights of the Data Subject
In terms of POPIA, you have the right to be notified that your personal information is being processed; request access to personal information we hold about you; request correction or deletion of inaccurate or outdated personal information; object to the processing of your personal information; and lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.
6. Transborder Flows of Information
Personal information may be processed or stored using third-party service providers whose infrastructure may be located outside South Africa. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with POPIA.
7. Information Officer
The Information Officer of HvS Attorneys is the principal attorney. Requests relating to personal information may be directed to enquiries@hvslegal.co.za.
8. Information Regulator
Should you wish to lodge a complaint, you may contact the Information Regulator of South Africa at inforeg@justice.gov.za or visit www.justice.gov.za/inforeg.
9. Disclaimer
Submission of an enquiry form or contact via this website does not constitute the establishment of an attorney-client relationship. A formal attorney-client relationship is only established upon written confirmation by HvS Attorneys.
This website uses cookies for analytics and to improve your experience. By continuing to use this site you accept our use of cookies, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the requirements of POPIA.