privileged communication
Legally shielded conversation
Privileged communication is information shared in a relationship that the law protects from forced disclosure.
A client's statements to their attorney, a patient's words to their doctor, a penitent's confession to a priest—these cannot be compelled as testimony in court.
The privilege belongs to the person who shared the information, not the professional who received it.
The therapist cited privileged communication when she refused to testify about her patient's sessions.
- lawyerLicensed legal representative
- physicianLicensed medical doctor
- confidentialityQuality of protecting secrets
- off the recordNot meant for reporting
- accountantFinancial records keeper
spouse · mediator · journalist · fiduciary duty · therapist · marriage counselor · clergy · social worker · professional integrity · corporate counsel · privacy rights · non-disclosure agreement · ethical codes · sworn secrecy · duty of care · discretion · moral obligation · trust
privileged communicationpublic record
Officially accessible government information
public disclosure · open communication · official record · court record · press release
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