Legal professional privilege

This article is an overview of the privilege in common law. For specific information, see attorney–client privilege (United States); legal professional privilege in England and Wales, and Legal professional privilege in Australia.
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In common law jurisdictions and some civil law jurisdictions, legal professional privilege protects all communications between a professional legal adviser (a solicitor, barrister or attorney) and his or her clients from being disclosed without the permission of the client. The privilege is that of the client and not that of the lawyer.

The purpose behind this legal principle is to protect an individual's ability to access the justice system by encouraging complete disclosure to legal advisers without the fear that any disclosure of those communications may prejudice the client in the future.[1]

  1. ^ "The English Law of Legal Professional Privilege - A Guide for American Attorneys". Loyola University Chicago International Law Review. 4: 40. 2006 – via Loyola University Chicago.