Confidentiality obligation

Article 1-purpose and scope

1. This duty of confidentiality is intended to guarantee the confidentiality of all information that HBM Juristen employees become aware of in the course of their work.
2. This regulation applies to all persons employed by HBM Juristen, including but not limited to lawyers, lawyers, legal staff and trainees.

Article 2-confidential information

1. Confidential information means any information, in whatever form, that:
   • relates to clients, files, cases or legal positions of clients;
   • looks at internal organisation, business operations, strategy, rates, models, working methods, know-how and internal communication of HBM lawyers;
   • comes from third parties and whose confidential nature is known or should reasonably be considered known.
2. Confidential information includes both oral, written and digital information, regardless of the method of recording or disclosure.

Article 3-Confidentiality Obligation

1. Employees are obliged to maintain strict confidentiality of all confidential information of which they become aware by virtue of their position or work.
2. Employees are prohibited from providing, disclosing or using confidential information, directly or indirectly, to third parties for purposes other than those necessary for the performance of their work for HBM Juristen.

Article 4-Exceptions

1. Disclosure of confidential information is only permitted if:
   • this is necessary for the execution of the work and takes place within the organization of HBM Juristen;
   • this is a legal obligation or a binding order from a competent authority, in which case – as far as possible – prior consultation takes place with the management of HBM Juristen.
2. In all cases, the provision should be limited to what is strictly necessary.

Article 5-care and security

1. Employees shall ensure that confidential information is handled with care and take appropriate measures to prevent unauthorised knowledge, loss or misuse.
2. This includes complying with internal guidelines on file management, IT security, use of email, cloud storage and physical archiving.

Article 7-Final Provisions

1. This duty of confidentiality is in addition to and without prejudice to any legal professional secrets and contractual confidentiality obligations.
2. In cases where this regulation does not provide, the management of HBM Juristen decides.