Breach of Confidentiality
Clients should feel safe knowing that all of the information they give to their lawyer or limited licensee is kept private. This even includes the fact that you hired or spoke with them about a matter.
A breach of confidentiality is when someone sees or shares your personal information without your permission.
In some situations, a lawyer or limited licensee may be allowed to share private information.
How do you think the lawyer or limited licensee breached your confidentiality?
Common Questions
A lawyer or limited licensee may disclose confidential information in certain situations, such as:
- when expressly or impliedly authorized by the client
- when required by law or a court to do so
- when required to deliver the information to the Law Society
- to establish or collect a fee
- to secure legal or ethical advice about their proposed conduct
- if the lawyer thinks a crime is likely to happen, and sharing information could stop it
- if the lawyer thinks a dangerous situation might happen at a court facility
- to detect or resolve conflicts of interest if the lawyer or limited licensee changes firms
Note that the information should only be disclosed to the extent necessary in the situation. See section 3.3, and particularly sections 3.3-3B and 3.3-7, of the Law Society of Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers or the Law Society of Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct for Limited Licensees for more information.