The attorney-client privilege is a legal doctrine that protects the confidentiality of communications between attorneys and their clients. With certain limited exceptions, courts cannot require a party to disclose communications that are protected by the attorney-client privilege.
The privilege belongs to the client. Unless an exception applies, the client may refuse to disclose the information in a court proceeding and may prevent the lawyer from doing so. Exceptions include communications relating to the death of a client or disputes between the lawyer and client, among others.
There are three primary occasions when solicitor‑client privilege may be overruled, namely when innocence at stake is engaged, the client's communications are themselves criminal, or it is necessary to protect public safety. Any piercing of privilege should be considered an "extraordinary measure."
This protection extends to any information exchanged during these privileged communications, encompassing not only verbal discussions but also written correspondence, emails, text messages, and other forms of communication. The privilege belongs to the client, meaning they have the authority to waive or invoke it.
Exceptions include communications relating to the death of a client or disputes between the lawyer and client, among others. Clients should be very hesitant to reveal privileged information and should almost always consult an attorney before doing so.
Additionally, Rule 503 provides that the client has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent the attorney as well as the attorney's representative, from disclosing confidential communications which were made for the purpose of obtaining legal services. Tex. Evid.
Confidential care does not apply when the law requires parental notification or consent, or when the law requires the provider to report health information such as in the cases of contagious disease or abuse. The definition of privacy is the ability of the individual to maintain information in a protected way.
Some states have enacted a non-evidentiary accountant–client privilege. For example, Texas has a privilege rule that requires that a certified public accountant (CPA) not voluntarily disclose information communicated to the CPA by a client in connection with the engagement without the client's permission.
Some states have enacted a non-evidentiary accountant–client privilege. For example, Texas has a privilege rule that requires that a certified public accountant (CPA) not voluntarily disclose information communicated to the CPA by a client in connection with the engagement without the client's permission.