Cookies Policy
Last updated: May 2026
This Cookies Policy explains how Butcher & Barlow LLP uses cookies and similar technologies on our website: www.butcher-barlow.co.uk
This policy explains:
- what cookies are
- how we use them
- the types of cookies we use
- how you can manage your cookie preferences
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, smartphone or other device when you visit a website. Cookies help websites function properly, improve user experience and provide information about how visitors use a website.
Cookies may be set by us directly or by third-party providers whose services we use on our website.
Cookies can be classified as either:
- essential cookies
- non-essential cookies
Essential cookies
Essential cookies are necessary for the operation of our website and enable core functionality such as:
- security
- network management
- accessibility
- remembering your cookie preferences
These cookies do not require your consent because they are necessary for the website to function properly.
Non-essential cookies
Non-essential cookies are only placed on your device where you have provided your consent through our cookie banner or cookie preference settings.
These cookies help us:
- understand how visitors use our website
- improve website performance
- enhance functionality and user experience
- analyse website traffic and visitor behaviour
Non-essential cookies may include:
- analytics cookies
- functionality cookies
- performance cookies
- third-party tracking cookies
You can withdraw or amend your consent preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link available on our website.
Session and persistent cookies
Cookies may also be classified according to how long they remain on your device.
Session cookies
Session cookies are temporary cookies which remain on your device only while you are browsing the website. They are deleted automatically when you close your browser.
Persistent cookies
Persistent cookies remain on your device until they expire or are deleted manually through your browser settings.
Managing your cookie preferences
You can manage cookies in several ways.
Through our cookie settings
You can accept or reject non-essential cookies using our cookie banner and cookie preference settings.
Through your browser
Most web browsers allow you to:
- view cookies stored on your device
- delete cookies
- block cookies from specific websites
- block all cookies
Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality and performance of our website.
Google Analytics opt-out
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing Google’s browser add-on:
Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on
Online advertising preferences
You can also manage advertising cookies through:
Further information about cookies can be found at:
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to collect information about how visitors use our website. This helps us improve website functionality, performance and user experience.
Information collected may include:
- IP address
- browser type
- device information
- pages visited
- time spent on the website
- how visitors navigate through the website
Google Analytics cookies will only be placed on your device after you have provided consent through our cookie banner or cookie preference settings.
Information collected through Google Analytics may be processed on servers located outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are used in accordance with UK data protection law.
Further information can be found here:
Hotjar
We use Hotjar to better understand how visitors use our website and to improve website usability and user experience.
Hotjar may collect information about:
- user interactions
- mouse movements
- clicks
- scrolling behaviour
- device type
- browser information
Hotjar cookies will only be placed on your device after you have provided consent through our cookie banner or cookie preference settings.
Further information can be found here:
Review Solicitors and Inspectlet
Our website may include content or functionality provided by Review Solicitors and Inspectlet. These services may use cookies or similar technologies to:
- analyse website performance
- understand visitor interactions
- improve user experience
- monitor website functionality
These cookies will only be placed on your device after you have provided consent through our cookie banner or cookie preference settings.
Further information can be found here:
International transfers
Some third-party providers may process information outside the United Kingdom or European Economic Area.
Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation or our website services.
Any updates will be published on this page together with the updated revision date.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this Cookies Policy or how we use cookies, please contact us:
Butcher & Barlow LLPwww.butcher-barlow.co.uk
Essential
"Essential" cookies let you move around the website and use essential features like secure areas and online billing. These cookies don't gather any information about you that could be used for marketing or remembering where you've been on the internet.
| Name | Description | Expiration |
|---|---|---|
| wordpress_test_cookie | This cookie is used by WordPress to check if cookies are enabled on the browser. | Session |
| privacy_cookie_status | This cookie is set to record the fact that a User has opted to enable cookies. | 1 year from set/update. |
| _GRECAPTCHA | This cookie is set by Google reCAPTCHA, which protects our site against spam enquiries on contact forms. | 6 months |
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors use our website. It sets first-party cookies that assign each browser a randomly generated client ID, so that we can measure visits, sessions and the general performance of the site. This client ID does not tell us your name or contact details, but it is treated as personal data under UK data protection law and is only set with your consent. For more information see Google's Privacy & Terms.
| Name | Description | Expiration |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Set by Google Analytics 4 to distinguish users by assigning a randomly generated client ID. Used to calculate visitor, session and campaign data. | 2 years (browsers commonly cap first-party cookies at around 13 months, so the effective lifespan is often shorter) |
| _ga_<container-id> | Set by Google Analytics 4 to persist session state for this property, so that page views within a single visit are grouped into one session. | 2 years (similarly capped in practice) |
| _gid | Set by Google Analytics 4 to distinguish users on a daily basis by assigning a randomly generated client ID. Used to measure engagement time and session data. Present on some configurations only. | 24 hours |
| _gat_gtag_<id>, _dc_gtm_<GTM-id> | Set by Google to throttle the rate at which requests are made. Present on some configurations only. | 1 minute |
Hotjar
| Name | Description | Expiration |
|---|---|---|
| _hjSessionUser_{site_id}, _hjid | Set by Hotjar to assign a unique identifier to the visitor. Used to recognise returning visitors across sessions and ensure that behavioural data from multiple visits is attributed to the same user. More information from Hotjar. | 365 days |
| _hjSession_{site_id}, _hjAbsoluteSessionInProgress | Set by Hotjar to hold current session data and detect the first page view of a session. Ensures that activity within a session window is grouped together and attributed correctly. | 30 minutes |
| _hjIncludedInPageviewSample, _hjIncludedInSessionSample | Set by Hotjar to determine whether the visitor falls within the data sampling limits configured for the site. Used to control how much data is collected relative to the site's plan. | 30 minutes |
| _hjFirstSeen | Set by Hotjar to identify whether this is the visitor's first session on the site. Used to filter recordings by new versus returning users. | Session |
| _hjViewportId | Set by Hotjar to store the visitor's viewport size and dimensions. Used to correctly render session recordings and heatmaps. | Session |
| _hjSessionTooLarge, _hjSessionRejected, _hjSessionResumed | Set by Hotjar to manage the connection between the visitor's browser and Hotjar's servers. Used to handle session size limits, server capacity, and reconnections mid-session. | Session |
| _hjUserAttributesHash, _hjCachedUserAttributes | Set by Hotjar to cache visitor attributes passed via the Hotjar Identify API. Used to detect when attributes have changed and to store them temporarily for use with Hotjar Feedback tools. | Session |
| _hjClosedSurveyInvites, _hjDonePolls, _hjMinimizedPolls, _hjShownFeedbackMessage | Set by Hotjar to remember how the visitor has interacted with Hotjar surveys and feedback widgets. Prevents the same survey or widget from reappearing after it has been completed, dismissed, or minimised. | 365 days |
| _hjLocalStorageTest, _hjTLDTest | Set by Hotjar briefly on page load to test browser storage capabilities and determine the correct cookie domain to use across subdomains. Both are deleted almost immediately after being created. | Under 100ms / Session |
Review Solicitors
| Name | Description | Expiration |
|---|---|---|
| rs_tracking_id | Set by ReviewSolicitors to track referrals and activity originating from the firm's profile on the ReviewSolicitors platform. Used to attribute visits and enquiries back to the embedded widget. More information from ReviewSolicitors. | 180 days |