In the Commonwealth,the principle of legal professional privilege has been treated as almost sacrosanct and in consequence, derogations from it have been rare. The traditional view is that, despite resulting unfairness, the rule must be absolute in order to achieve its stated goals. This view is challenged here through an examination of the structure of and exceptions to the privilege. Auburn argues that the claims made of the rule in the past have been overstated and that the privilege is more robust than widely assumed. Being dependent on patterns of client behaviour, it can accommodate change, while still fulfilling its essential function. Having examined the theory, structure and main derogations from the privilege, the author asserts that we should be more sceptical of the claims made of the privilege, and in appropriate circumstances should give more weight to the values underlying the disclosure of evidence. This thoughtful analysis presents a new approach to the issue of legal professional privilege. It offers a thorough exploration of the principles underlying the privilege and takes a Commonwealth-wide approach, covering the law in England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as drawing on relevant principles from European and United States law. Contents 1. Conceptual and Historical Introduction Part A: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS 2. Emerging Common Law Right 3. Privilege Under the European Convention on Human Rights 4. Confidentiality 5. Disclosure 6. Structure of the Privilege - General Theory 7. Structure of the Privilege - Application PART B: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 8. Crime-fraud Exception 9. Criminal Exculpatory Evidence 10. Loss of Privilege Based on Intent and Disclosure [Waiver] 11. Fairness Based Loss of Privilege [Waiver] 12. Indadvertent Disclosure 13. Past and Future Directions

Covering all of the substantive grounds on which a claim may be brought, this definitive new work provides unrivalled analysis and guidance on the law of judicial review. Written by three experienced practitioners, Judicial Review: Principles and Procedure includes chapters on the most common grounds for bringing a claim, such as procedural fairness and irrationality, but also covers emerging grounds such as delay on the part of public bodies and error of fact. In addition, the authors provide a separate, detailed treatment of areas such as administrative policies and the public sector equality duty. Each element of this complex area of law is carefully broken down to ensure that answers are always easy to find and, where the law is in doubt, the dispute is concisely stated and the view most likely to be preferred by the courts is expressed. The book analyses in detail the issues that are likely to arise in practice, with thorough and up-to-date reference to case law throughout. It incorporates the jurisprudence arising out of the Human Rights Act 1998, providing practitioners with a complete yet practical treatment of each relevant topic. The book contains comprehensive coverage of procedural matters in each stage of a claim, from pre-action to costs, and includes a chapter on European Union law from Marie Demetriou QC of Brick Court Chambers, providing a uniquely full treatment of all the issues which might be encountered in practice.