Privilege can apply to both oral and written communications, and to documents in any form whether hard copy or electronic.
For a communication or document to be privileged it must be confidential. However, there need not be an express obligation of confidence. Such an obligation can be implied, and will almost certainly be implied where there is a solicitor / client relationship.
The requirement of confidentiality would prevent privilege arising, for example, for legal advice posted on an internet forum, or for a solicitor’s note of open court proceedings (at least if the note was free from the solicitor’s own views or comments).
Confidentiality will not, however, in itself give rise to privilege. It is perfectly possible that highly sensitive confidential documents will not be privileged and must be disclosed in the course of court proceedings or to a regulator.
Note: Content up to date as at 31 January 2013
Click here to return to the ”Handy client guide to privilege” home page, or on the links below to access information on other privilege topics:
- Litigation in reasonable prospect
- Dominant purpose of litigation
- Lawyer/client communications
- Giving/obtaining legal advice
- Documents evidencing privileged communications
- Subsequent dissemination of privileged material
