Law Society speaks up

18/02/2008

The Law Society has asked to intervene in a case before the European Court of Justice.

The case is an appeal by Akzo Nobel against a judgement, which said legal professional privilege did not apply to communications between company personnel and in-house lawyers in cartel investigations.

Chief executive Des Hudson explained the society will argue the decision represents a threat to the rights of the client to talk freely with a lawyer.

He said: "This is not just an issue that is of interest to lawyers - it has a huge impact on the business community in general."

"Every client of a solicitor should be able to confer with them in confidence, regardless of whether the client is the employer."

The outcome of the case will affect solicitors in England and Wales and Mr Hudson went on to insist "inequality that is created between members of the solicitors' profession must be rectified".

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