Why we collect personal information
The Treasury Solicitor Bona Vacantia collects information for the purposes of dealing with the collection and disposal of dissolved company assets and the administration of the estates of persons who die intestate and without known kin. The information we collect about you depends on the reason for your business with us, but we may use the information for any of these purposes. We may also use information about you to carry out research about how effective our services are.
The information we have about you
The information we keep can include:
- forms you have completed and given to us;
- claims you have made over the phone;
- letters you have sent to us;
- copies of Identification documents forwarded
- details of any checks we make to ensure information we have is right; and
- computer records to do with your business with the Department.
Information we get from or give to other organisations
As well as checking the information provided with any information we already have, we may get information about you from other people and other organisations, as the law allows. We may also give information to certain other organisations. This can be because:
- the law (including the Data Protection Act) allows us to, or says we have to;
- a Court Order says it is necessary; or
- you have given your permission.
The organisations we may give information to, or receive it from, include other government departments and their agencies, in particular Companies House, Land Registry, Probate Office, General Register Offices, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), local authorities, hospitals and health authorities, banks, building societies and other financial bodies, law enforcement agencies including the Police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Assets Recovery Agency. We give information to, or receive it from, such organisations to:
- check the accuracy of information
- assist in tracing blood relatives
- verify identities
- prevent or detect crime
- protect public funds in other ways
Sharing information with the Police and other law enforcement agencies
Treasury Solicitor Bona Vacantia may provide your personal information to police forces and other law enforcement bodies, to assist in the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension and prosecution of offenders. Information will only be disclosed where it can be shown that not doing so would prejudice these purposes.
The Data Protection Act 1998
The Data Protection Act (the DPA) sets rules for the way organisations treat personal information about you. It applies to paper and computer records. The DPA allows you to find out what information is held about you on computer and in some paper records.
How can I find out what information you have about me?
If you want to see the information we have about you, please tell us exactly what information you want to see. This will help us to provide you with a better service. We will send you a copy of the information we have, if any, as soon as possible and at the latest within 40 calendar days. You must ask for the information in writing and give us information that allows us to be sure of your identity and address. For example, tell us your:
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
If you have any other reference numbers we use, such as a case reference number, or any other information you think might help us to identify you, please also include this.
Can I see all the information held about me?
Normally you can see all the information we have, but there are some exceptions. These exceptions are mainly to do with:
- the way fraud is detected or prevented
- catching or prosecuting offenders
Where to send requests for information
Please address your request to “the Data Protection Officer” and send it to the Treasury Solicitor, One Kemble Street, London WC2B 4TS.
Further information
The Treasury Solicitor is the Data Controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act. Treasury Solicitor's registration as a Data Controller is in the Public Register of Data Controllers, which can be found on the Information Commissioner's website: www.ico.gov.uk.
This leaflet is available in large print, Braille and on audio tape.
This leaflet is only a general guide and is not a full statement of the law. We have made every effort to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct at the date shown below.