PRIVACY POLICY
Advocate Mani Shankar & Associates
Patna, Bihar, India
Last Updated: 10-08-2026
1. INTRODUCTION
Advocate Mani Shankar & Associates (“Firm”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respects the privacy of individuals who visit, access or communicate with us through this website.
This Privacy Policy explains how we may collect, receive, use, store, disclose and protect personal information obtained through:
- this website;
- website contact and enquiry forms;
- email communications;
- telephone or mobile communications;
- WhatsApp or other communication channels linked from the website;
- professional enquiries;
- documents or information voluntarily provided to us; and
- other electronic or offline interactions associated with our professional activities.
This Privacy Policy is intended to provide transparency regarding our handling of personal information and should be read together with our Legal Disclaimer and Terms & Conditions.
2. SCOPE OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through or in connection with the website of Advocate Mani Shankar & Associates.
It does not necessarily apply to websites, applications, platforms or services operated independently by third parties, even where links to such services appear on our website.
Third-party services may have their own privacy policies and terms, and users should review those policies before providing information to such third parties.
3. INFORMATION WE MAY COLLECT
Depending upon how you interact with our website and Firm, we may collect different categories of information.
3.1 Information You Voluntarily Provide
You may voluntarily provide information such as:
- full name;
- email address;
- telephone/mobile number;
- city or location;
- subject or nature of your enquiry;
- information contained in your message;
- information relating to a proposed legal matter;
- documents or attachments voluntarily submitted;
- preferred method of communication; and
- any other information you choose to provide.
You should provide only information that is reasonably necessary for the purpose for which you are contacting us.
4. INFORMATION RELATING TO LEGAL MATTERS
If you contact the Firm regarding a potential or existing legal matter, you may voluntarily provide information relating to that matter.
Such information may include:
- facts concerning a dispute or transaction;
- names of parties;
- case or proceeding details;
- dates and events;
- documents;
- correspondence;
- notices;
- court orders;
- contracts;
- identification or verification information; and
- other information relevant to the legal matter.
Important: Sending information through a website form, email or other communication channel does not automatically create an advocate–client relationship.
You should avoid sending highly confidential, privileged or sensitive information through general website forms unless specifically requested by the Firm.
5. AUTOMATICALLY COLLECTED INFORMATION
When you access our website, certain technical information may be automatically collected by the website infrastructure, hosting provider, security systems or analytics tools, where enabled.
Such information may include:
- IP address;
- browser type;
- device type;
- operating system;
- approximate geographical information;
- referring website;
- pages visited;
- date and time of access;
- duration of visit;
- general website interaction information; and
- technical information concerning website performance.
Such information may be used for website operation, security, troubleshooting, performance analysis and improving the website.
6. COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES
Our website may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage or similar technologies, depending upon the website configuration and third-party services integrated with it.
Cookies may be used for purposes such as:
- enabling website functionality;
- maintaining security;
- remembering preferences;
- understanding website usage;
- analysing website performance;
- improving user experience; and
- generating aggregate statistical information.
Where required, appropriate consent or controls may be provided for non-essential cookies.
You may also be able to control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of some parts of the website.
7. THIRD-PARTY ANALYTICS
The website may use third-party analytics or website-performance services to understand how visitors interact with the website.
Such services may process technical or usage information in accordance with their respective privacy policies.
Where such services are used, the Firm will seek to configure them in a manner appropriate to the nature of the website and applicable legal requirements.
Website administrator’s note: Insert the actual services used here—for example, Google Analytics, Search Console, Meta Pixel or another analytics platform—rather than listing services that are not actually installed.
8. PURPOSES FOR WHICH WE USE PERSONAL INFORMATION
Personal information may be processed for legitimate and appropriate purposes, including:
A. Responding to enquiries
To:
- respond to your enquiry;
- contact you regarding information requested by you;
- understand the nature of your request; and
- communicate with you regarding a potential professional engagement.
B. Professional engagement
Where a professional relationship is formally established, information may be processed for:
- providing legal services;
- communicating with clients;
- preparing legal documents;
- managing proceedings;
- maintaining professional records;
- complying with applicable professional requirements; and
- performing obligations arising from the professional engagement.
C. Website operation
Information may be used to:
- maintain the website;
- improve website functionality;
- troubleshoot technical issues;
- detect security incidents; and
- prevent misuse or unauthorised access.
D. Legal and regulatory compliance
Information may be processed where necessary to comply with:
- applicable laws;
- lawful governmental or regulatory requirements;
- court orders;
- professional obligations;
- legal proceedings; or
- other legally binding requirements.
E. Protection of rights and interests
Information may be processed where reasonably necessary to:
- protect the Firm’s legal rights;
- establish or defend legal claims;
- investigate suspected misuse;
- detect security incidents; or
- protect the safety and integrity of our systems and users.
9. LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING
Where applicable, personal data may be processed on the basis of:
- consent;
- voluntary provision of information for a specified purpose;
- performance or initiation of a requested service or professional engagement;
- compliance with a legal obligation;
- legitimate uses recognised by applicable law; or
- other lawful grounds permitted under applicable legislation.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 recognises consent and specified legitimate uses as grounds for processing personal data, subject to its provisions and commencement framework.
Where consent is the applicable basis for processing, applicable law provides mechanisms concerning withdrawal of consent.
10. DATA MINIMISATION
We seek to collect and process personal information that is reasonably relevant and necessary for the purpose for which it is being collected.
You are not required to provide information that is unrelated to your enquiry or interaction with the Firm.
However, failure to provide information that is reasonably necessary for a particular purpose may prevent us from responding to an enquiry or providing a requested service.
11. SHARING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
We do not ordinarily sell or commercially trade personal information collected through this website.
Personal information may, where necessary and lawful, be disclosed to:
- advocates or authorised personnel associated with the Firm;
- professional consultants or service providers;
- website hosting and infrastructure providers;
- IT and cybersecurity service providers;
- email and communication service providers;
- document-management or technology service providers;
- courts, tribunals or governmental authorities;
- regulators or statutory bodies;
- law-enforcement authorities where legally required; or
- other persons where disclosure is authorised or required by law.
Third-party service providers receiving information on behalf of the Firm may process such information only for relevant operational or service purposes, subject to applicable arrangements and law.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Firm recognises the importance of confidentiality in professional legal relationships.
Where an advocate–client relationship has been established, information received in the course of professional engagement will be handled subject to applicable professional obligations, privilege principles and law.
However, website visitors should not assume that information submitted through a general enquiry form or unsolicited email is automatically protected by advocate–client privilege.
An advocate–client relationship is established only upon acceptance of professional engagement.
13. DATA RETENTION
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or for such longer period as may be required or permitted by:
- applicable law;
- professional obligations;
- court or regulatory requirements;
- limitation periods;
- dispute resolution requirements;
- accounting or record-keeping obligations; or
- legitimate business and security purposes.
Different categories of information may therefore be retained for different periods.
When personal information is no longer required and there is no legal or legitimate reason for continued retention, appropriate steps may be taken to delete, anonymise or securely dispose of it.
14. DATA SECURITY
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures intended to protect personal information against unauthorised access, misuse, alteration, disclosure, loss or destruction.
Depending upon the circumstances, such measures may include:
- access controls;
- authentication mechanisms;
- secure hosting;
- software and security updates;
- restricted access to information;
- backup procedures;
- monitoring and security measures; and
- other appropriate safeguards.
However, no electronic transmission or internet-based system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Accordingly, you should exercise appropriate caution when transmitting sensitive information electronically.
15. DATA BREACHES AND SECURITY INCIDENTS
If we become aware of a personal-data security incident affecting information under our control, we may take reasonable steps to:
- investigate the incident;
- contain and mitigate its effects;
- secure affected systems;
- assess the nature and extent of the incident;
- comply with applicable legal or regulatory requirements; and
- provide notifications where required by applicable law.
16. YOUR RIGHTS
Subject to applicable law and the commencement of relevant statutory provisions, individuals may have rights concerning their personal data, including rights relating to:
- access to information concerning processing;
- correction or updating of inaccurate information;
- completion of incomplete information;
- erasure of personal information where legally applicable;
- withdrawal of consent where consent is the applicable basis;
- grievance redressal; and
- nomination or other rights provided under applicable law.
The DPDP Act expressly provides for rights concerning access, correction/erasure and grievance redressal, subject to the Act and applicable requirements.
Requests may be submitted using the contact details provided below.
Certain information may be retained despite a request for deletion where retention is necessary or permitted under applicable law—for example, for legal compliance, professional obligations, establishment or defence of legal claims, or other lawful purposes.
17. WITHDRAWAL OF CONSENT
Where processing is based on consent and applicable law provides a right to withdraw that consent, you may request withdrawal by contacting us using the details provided in this Privacy Policy.
Withdrawal of consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before the withdrawal.
Withdrawal may also affect our ability to provide certain services or respond to a particular request where the relevant processing is necessary for that purpose.
18. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
This website is intended for a general audience and is not specifically directed toward children.
We do not knowingly seek to collect personal data from children except where permitted and handled in accordance with applicable law.
Where applicable law requires parental or lawful-guardian consent for processing a child’s personal data, appropriate measures shall be taken in accordance with the applicable legal framework.
19. THIRD-PARTY LINKS
Our website may contain links to external websites, including:
- government portals;
- courts and tribunals;
- statutory authorities;
- professional organisations;
- legal resources; and
- social-media platforms.
Once you leave our website, this Privacy Policy may no longer apply.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security or content of third-party websites.
You should review the privacy policy of the relevant third-party website before providing personal information.
20. SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS
The website may contain links or integrations to third-party communication or social-media platforms.
If you interact with those platforms, the relevant information may be processed by the respective platform in accordance with its own policies.
The Firm does not control the privacy practices or data-processing activities of independent third-party platforms.
20. SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS
The website may contain links or integrations to third-party communication or social-media platforms.
If you interact with those platforms, the relevant information may be processed by the respective platform in accordance with its own policies.
The Firm does not control the privacy practices or data-processing activities of independent third-party platforms.
21. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
Some technology, hosting, communication, analytics or other service providers used by the website may process information from locations outside India.
Where personal information is processed outside India, such processing shall be subject to applicable law, contractual safeguards and other appropriate measures where required.
The DPDP Act contains provisions concerning processing of personal data outside India and the Central Government’s powers concerning restrictions on transfers to certain jurisdictions.
22. GOVERNMENT AND LEGAL DISCLOSURES
We may disclose personal information where we reasonably believe disclosure is:
- required by law;
- required pursuant to a court order;
- required by a competent governmental or regulatory authority;
- necessary to comply with a legal process;
- necessary to protect rights or property; or
- necessary to investigate unlawful activity or security incidents.
Any disclosure shall be made in accordance with applicable law.
23. PROFESSIONAL RECORDS
Where a person becomes a client of the Firm, personal information may form part of professional, case, transaction, financial or administrative records.
Such records may be subject to separate legal, professional, regulatory and record-retention requirements.
Accordingly, information relating to an established professional engagement may be retained for longer periods than ordinary website enquiry information where required or reasonably necessary.
24. EMAIL AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
Communications sent to or received by the Firm through email or other electronic channels may be stored for legitimate professional, administrative, security, record-keeping or legal purposes.
Electronic communication may involve inherent security risks.
Visitors should therefore avoid sending passwords, payment-card information or other highly sensitive information through ordinary email unless specifically requested through an appropriate secure process.
25. WHATSAPP AND OTHER MESSAGING SERVICES
Where the website provides a WhatsApp or other messaging option, communications made through such platforms are processed through the relevant third-party platform.
The Firm does not control the technical infrastructure, privacy practices or security measures of those platforms.
Users should review the applicable privacy terms of the relevant messaging service before communicating sensitive information through it.
26. PAYMENTS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Unless expressly stated otherwise, this website is not intended to collect payment-card or banking information directly.
Where payment facilities are subsequently introduced, payments may be processed through authorised third-party payment service providers.
The Firm will not ordinarily request passwords, PINs, OTPs or similar authentication credentials through the website.
Never share your banking password, UPI PIN, card PIN or OTP with anyone claiming to represent the Firm.
27. FRAUDULENT COMMUNICATIONS
The Firm does not authorise any person to fraudulently represent themselves as an advocate, employee or authorised representative of Advocate Mani Shankar & Associates.
If you receive a suspicious communication requesting:
- OTPs;
- passwords;
- UPI PINs;
- bank credentials;
- cryptocurrency payments;
- unusual or unauthorised transfers; or
- other sensitive information,
you should independently verify the communication using the official contact details published on this website.
28. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:
- changes in applicable law;
- regulatory developments;
- changes to the website;
- new technologies;
- changes in data-processing practices; or
- changes in our professional or operational requirements.
The revised Privacy Policy will be published on this webpage with an updated “Last Updated” date.
You are encouraged to review this page periodically.
29. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL AND PRIVACY CONTACT
If you have questions, concerns or requests relating to the processing of your personal information, you may contact us.
Privacy Contact / Grievance Contact
Advocate Mani Shankar & Associates
Email: info@advocatemanishankar.com
Mobile: +91 94313 14320
Office:
Opposite to Pillar No. 55, 01/2nd Floor,
Kurthoul Bazar, Patna, Bihar – 804453, India
When submitting a privacy-related request, please provide sufficient information for us to understand and process your request. We may take reasonable steps to verify the identity of the person making a request before disclosing, correcting or deleting personal information.
The DPDP Act provides for a readily available grievance-redressal mechanism and requires a Data Fiduciary, where applicable, to provide relevant business contact information for questions concerning processing of personal data.
30. GOVERNING LAW
This Privacy Policy shall be governed by the laws of India, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Any dispute relating to this Privacy Policy shall be subject to the jurisdiction of competent courts and authorities in accordance with applicable Indian law.
31. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Privacy Policy is determined to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified or interpreted to the minimum extent necessary to make it lawful and enforceable, where legally permissible.
The remaining provisions shall continue to remain effective.
32. CONTACT US
For any question concerning this Privacy Policy or the processing of personal information, please contact:
Advocate Mani Shankar & Associates
Email: info@advocatemanishankar.com
Mobile: +91 94313 14320
Office:
Opposite to Pillar No. 55, 01/2nd Floor,
Kurthoul Bazar, Patna, Bihar – 804453, India
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
By accessing and using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
Where applicable, consent will be obtained through appropriate mechanisms before processing personal information on a consent-based basis.