MPs recommend protection of lawyer/client communications

11 February 2016

The Joint Committee on the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill has recommended Legal Professional Privilege (LPP) be included on the face of the Bill, and that the Home Office should consult on how this can be achieved.

CILEx, as with other organisations including the Law Society and Bar Council, gave evidence to the committee recommending the change in order for the communications between a client and their lawyer to remain confidential.

CILEx President, David Edwards FCILEx, said: “We welcome the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the need for protection of Legal Professional Privilege. It is important for the effective administration of justice that people know they can speak with their lawyer in confidence. We hope the recommendations are accepted, and we look forward to working collaboratively with the Government on this matter.”

The committee also recommended that the Bill be reviewed in light of relevant case law on professional privilege, which will include the Supreme Court judgment explicitly including CILEx members, along with barristers and solicitors, within the scope of legal advice privilege.