Privacy Notice

Last updated: 28 October 2026

This Privacy Notice explains how personal information is handled when you contact Dr Alexander Michael through this website or in connection with dental expert witness services.

Data controller

Dr Alexander Ian Michael is the data controller for personal information processed in connection with this website and my dental expert witness services. My Information Commissioner's Office registration reference is ZA885188. For privacy enquiries, contact Alex@DentistryExpertWitness.co.uk.

Who this notice applies to

This notice may apply to solicitors, insurers, medico-legal agencies, parties to litigation, patients, claimants, defendants, witnesses, professional contacts and others whose information is provided in connection with an enquiry or instruction.

Information submitted through the enquiry forms

The homepage and contact forms collect the information you choose to provide, including:

• your name, email address, firm or organisation, and telephone number where supplied
• who you act for, the case type and whether a clinical examination may be required, where supplied
• the jurisdiction or court, country of treatment and relevant deadline, including a time zone if you choose to specify one
• your brief case outline or message
• confirmation that you have read this Privacy Notice

Please do not include patient-identifying information, dental records, radiographs or other confidential case material in an initial website enquiry. Secure transfer arrangements are agreed after the initial conflict and suitability checks.

Information connected with an enquiry or instruction

Depending on the nature and stage of the matter, further information may include:

• name and contact details
• firm or organisation details
• case reference information
• dental and medical records
• radiographs and clinical photographs
• correspondence
• reports and pleadings
• appointment and examination details
• billing and payment information
• information required for expert witness work

How information is used

Personal information may be used to:

• respond to enquiries
• consider whether an instruction can be accepted
• carry out conflict checks
• provide fee estimates and terms
• arrange clinical examinations where required
• review records and prepare expert reports
• respond to CPR 35 questions
• assist with conferences, joint statements or related medico-legal work
• manage billing and records
• comply with legal, professional and regulatory obligations

Lawful basis

The lawful basis for processing will depend on the context. It may include performance of a contract, legitimate interests, legal obligation, consent where relevant, and the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

Special category information

Dental, medical and health information is special category data, including when it is typed into a free-text message. Please keep identifiable health information out of the website forms. Any such information still requires an appropriate lawful basis and a separate special category condition for processing; acknowledging this notice does not itself provide consent to process another person’s health information. Where necessary in connection with establishing, exercising or defending legal claims, the legal-claims condition may apply.

Sharing information

Information may be shared where necessary with instructing solicitors, agencies, insurers, the Court, counsel, other experts, secure IT providers, accountants or professional advisers. Information is not sold or used for unrelated marketing.

Website, hosting and cookies

This website is hosted by Netlify, which processes information submitted through its enquiry forms. Submissions, including any text entered in the message field, are stored using Netlify's form service and checked for spam using Akismet, a third-party service used by Netlify. Please keep confidential case material out of these forms. Email notifications are configured for new submissions so that enquiries can be answered. Netlify may also process technical information, such as IP addresses in server logs, for security and service delivery. Hosting and notification services may involve processing outside the UK. Information about the providers and transfer arrangements can be requested using the contact details below.

This website does not set cookies or use analytics, advertising or tracking scripts. Its fonts and other assets are served directly from the site. Hosting and form processing by Netlify still involve technical information as described above. If you follow an external link, such as WhatsApp or LinkedIn, that service's own privacy information applies.

Retention

Records are retained for as long as reasonably necessary for medico-legal, regulatory, insurance, accounting and professional purposes. The retention period may depend on the nature of the case and any ongoing or potential legal proceedings.

Security

Reasonable steps are taken to protect information from unauthorised access, loss or misuse. However, ordinary email may not be fully secure. Where highly sensitive information is being sent, the sender should consider whether a secure transfer method is appropriate.

Your rights

You may have rights to access, correct, erase, restrict or object to the processing of your personal information, depending on the circumstances. You may also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.

Contact

For privacy enquiries, please contact:

Dr Alexander Michael
Alex@DentistryExpertWitness.co.uk