SRA Handbook

Privileged documents

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Rule 42: Privileged documents

42.1

When acting on a client's instructions, you will normally have the right on the grounds of privilege as between solicitor and client to decline to produce any document requested by the accountant for the purposes of his or her examination. In these circumstances, the accountant must qualify the report and set out the circumstances.

Guidance note

(i)

In a recognised body or licensed body with one or more managers who are not legally qualified, legal professional privilege may not attach to work which is neither done nor supervised by a legally qualified individual - see Legal Services Act 2007, section 190(3) to (7), and Schedule 22, paragraph 17.