CDR Law is committed to accessibility and to ensuring our services are inclusive, barrier-free, and respectful of the dignity and independence of all people, including those living with disabilities. This policy outlines our approach to meeting obligations under Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act, including how we will identify, prevent, and remove barriers in our interactions with clients, visitors, and team members.

Statement of Commitment

CDR Law is committed to providing equal access to our services and workplace. We strive to ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities to access and benefit from our legal services as any other person. We recognize the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate fully in society and we are dedicated to meeting their needs in a timely and respectful way.

Customer Service Accessibility

We serve our clients, their representatives, and the public in a manner that respects the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity. This includes making reasonable efforts to accommodate disabilities through all service channels—whether in person, by phone, or through digital communication.

Service Animals & Support Persons

• Service Animals: We welcome individuals with disabilities who use service animals. They are allowed in all public areas of our premises, in accordance with applicable Nova Scotia legislation.

• Support Persons: A client or visitor who requires a support person is welcome to have that person accompany them. Any potential concerns regarding confidentiality or solicitor-client privilege will be managed on a case-by-case basis to ensure both access and legal integrity.

Assistive Devices

Clients and visitors are welcome to use their own assistive devices while accessing our services. Where required, we will train staff to support individuals using such devices, and we will make accommodations based on individual needs to the best of our ability.

Information & Communication

We are committed to accessible communication. This means:

• Responding to client communication preferences, including offering alternative formats;

• Providing publicly available information in accessible formats upon request, at no additional cost;

Clients are encouraged to advise us of any communication needs so we can respond appropriately.

Emergency Information

Upon request, we will provide emergency information (such as evacuation procedures) in accessible formats. We also create individualized emergency plans for staff who require them.

Website Accessibility

Our website is tested regularly to identify and resolve accessibility issues, and feedback on digital barriers is welcomed.

Employment

CDR Law is committed to fair and accessible hiring and employment practices. We:

• Include accessibility commitments in job postings;

• Provide accommodations during hiring, onboarding, and employment upon request;

• Maintain individualized accommodation and return-to-work plans for staff with disabilities;

Built Environment / Public Spaces

CDR Law’s physical spaces are designed or modified in accordance with accessibility standards under Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act. This includes:

• Ensuring reception, meeting rooms, and common areas are accessible;

• Maintaining clear paths of travel and barrier-free entrances;

• Providing seating and table areas that accommodate mobility devices.

Feedback Process

We welcome feedback about accessibility at CDR Law. Feedback helps us improve how we serve individuals with disabilities. You can provide feedback in person, by phone, email, or through our website.

Contact for Accessibility Feedback:
CDR Law
📧 info@cdrlaw.ca

Where a response is requested or necessary, we aim to acknowledge and respond within 15 business days. All feedback will be handled in a confidential and respectful manner, and any required action will be taken in accordance with this policy.

Accessible Format Requests

A copy of this policy is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact us using the information above.

At CDR Law, we recognize the importance of privacy and the sensitivity of your personal information. As legal professionals, we are bound by strict confidentiality obligations and take that responsibility seriously. Our relationship with you is built on trust, and we are committed to maintaining and protecting that trust through the careful handling of all personal information we collect.

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with our professional obligations and applicable privacy laws.

Your Privacy Rights

As of January 1, 2004, all organizations engaged in commercial activities in Canada must comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), which incorporates the Canadian Standards Association Model Code for the protection of personal information. These obligations extend to all law firms, including CDR Law.

Why We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information for the following purposes:

• To establish and manage client relationships;

• To provide legal advice and services;

• For internal use, including professional development and administrative efficiency.

What Personal Information We Collect

"Personal information" means any information that identifies you or could be used to identify you. This includes, but is not limited to, your name, contact details, financial information, and details relevant to your legal matter.

We aim to collect only what is necessary for the purposes listed above and, whenever possible, collect this information directly from you—typically at the outset of a matter or during our representation.

Your consent is generally required before we collect, use, or disclose your personal information. In some cases, your consent may be implied through your conduct with us.

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

• Provide legal advice and representation;

• Communicate with you throughout the course of your matter;

• Maintain accurate client records, including for time tracking and billing purposes;

• Fulfill our professional and legal obligations to retain files post-retainer.

We do not sell or trade your personal information, and we do not provide client lists to any third party for marketing purposes.

Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information in the following circumstances:

• When required or permitted by law (e.g., by court order);

• When you provide consent, explicitly or implicitly;

• When necessary to advance your matter (e.g., to experts, assessors, or mediators);

• When required to collect fees owed;

• To trusted third-party service providers (e.g., data backup, secure file storage), provided they adhere to strict confidentiality agreements;

• If the information is already publicly available.

Safeguarding Your Information

We maintain physical, organizational, and technological safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information we collect. These include:

• Secure office premises;

• Password-protected systems and encrypted backups;

• Restricted internal access to personal information;

• Ongoing staff training in privacy and data security best practices.

Openness and Access

We are transparent about our practices. You may request access to your personal information at any time. General summaries are provided at no charge; more detailed records may incur reasonable retrieval fees.

Accuracy of Information

To provide effective legal services, we rely on accurate and up-to-date information. If your personal information changes, please let us know so we can update our records promptly.

Anonymous Inquiries

Where lawful and practical, you may access general information on our website or contact us with basic inquiries without identifying yourself.

Communications and Email

Please be aware that email is not a fully secure communication method. We recommend caution when sharing sensitive or confidential information electronically.

Changes to This Policy

We regularly review our privacy practices and may update this policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on our website and available upon request.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or wish to access your personal information, please contact:
📧 info@cdrlaw.ca

Website Use

Our website may contain links to third-party sites not governed by this Privacy Policy. While we strive to provide secure and reliable online experiences, we cannot be responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.

We may monitor site usage (such as traffic patterns and page performance) for internal analytics purposes. This data is aggregated and anonymized—it does not include personally identifiable information.