attorney client privilege illinois when using language interpreter

by Colleen Baumbach 8 min read

Specifically, the courts hold that the interpreter’s presence in an attorney client communication does not constitute a waiver to privilege because the interpreter’s role was primarily to facilitate the attorney-client communication, as opposed to providing interpreting services for other reasons.

A lawyer's communications with the client in the presence of the interpreter are confidential. Rule 5.3 requires the lawyer to make reasonable efforts to ensure the interpreter does not violate client confidences.

Full Answer

What is the difference between attorney-client privilege and attorney–client privilege?

rule. Nonetheless, Illinois recognizes that the attorney-client privilege belongs to the client. 3 Thus, element six of the federal rule also is recognized by Illinois. In sum, both Illinois and federal courts in Illinois apply the same basic attorney-client privilege. However, the two jurisdictions apply the rule in ways that can result in

Can a nonlawyer assist a lawyer in a privileged communication?

eign language, and the obvious need the attorney had to use an interpreter.21 Judge Friendly concluded that the attorney-client privilege would never be waived simply because a third-party interpreter was required for the attor-

What is an implied attorney-client privilege waiver?

Right to Interpreter. §4.40 VII. Appellate Proceedings. § 4.33 1. Attorney-Client Privilege. Skip to § 4. A confidential communication between attorney and client does not lose the protection of the attorney-client privilege when it is made via a foreign-language interpreter for the purpose of assisting the attorney in rendering advice to ...

What is the contention interrogatory rule in the attorney-client privilege?

client's agent for the purpose of attorney-client privilege, the Himmel 9. Himmel, 533 N.E.2d at 794. The Himmel court stated, "We have held that informa-tion voluntarily disclosed by a client to an attorney, in the presence of third parties who are not agents of the client or attorney, is not privileged information."

Does attorney-client privilege extend to translators?

Specifically, the courts hold that the interpreter's presence in an attorney client communication does not constitute a waiver to privilege because the interpreter's role was primarily to facilitate the attorney-client communication, as opposed to providing interpreting services for other reasons.Mar 30, 2012

Are text messages protected by attorney-client privilege?

The most important consideration when communicating with your attorney in any manner, including text message, is that the attorney-client privilege remain protected. This means that the communications between you and your attorney need to stay between you and your attorney.Jun 12, 2019

What communications does the attorney-client privilege protect?

The attorney-client privilege only protects the essence of the communications actually had by the client and lawyer and only extends to information given for the purpose of obtaining legal representation.. The underlying information is not protected if it is available from another source.

Who does the privilege over communications belong to?

The privilege is the client's, not the lawyer's. The client can waive the privilege. The client will be deemed to have waived the privilege if the client does (or authorises) something which is inconsistent with the confidentiality which the privilege is intended to protect: Mann v Carnell (1999) 168 ALR 86.

Can text messages be privileged?

Text messages are no more privileged than any other communication. Privileges generally are associated with relationships not with the mechanism of communication.Jul 23, 2013

Do Lawyers text their clients?

Lawyer texting offers clients and lawyers many benefits as mentioned above. But lawyers need to ensure they are abiding by the rules and their ethical responsibilities. Texting is only one of the many methods of communication for attorneys. It may not work in every situation.Nov 1, 2021

Does attorney-client privilege apply to non clients?

The lawyer-client privilege does not only prevent disclosure of confidential communications by you or your attorney. ... “You can assert the lawyer-client privilege against anyone who is privy to confidential communications with your attorney—even if that person was not a party to the attorney-client relationship.

When can privileged communication be broken?

Some relationships that provide the protection of privileged communication include attorney-client, doctor-patient, priest-parishioner, two spouses, and (in some states) reporter-source. If harm—or the threat of harm—to people is involved, the privileged communication protection disappears.

Which of the following may not be protected under the attorney-client privilege?

Which of the following may not be protected under the attorney-client privilege? A client who orally confesses to a crime. Correct!

What makes a document legally privileged?

Privilege is a legal right which allows persons to resist compulsory disclosure of documents and information. The fact that a document is sensitive or confidential is not a bar to disclosure, although privileged documents must be confidential.

Who can claim client legal privilege?

Third parties including experts. A communication between the lawyer or client and a third party can be privileged if it is confidential and made for the dominant purpose of enabling the client to obtain legal advice.Jul 1, 2021

What constitutes privileged communication?

privileged communication, in law, communication between persons who have a special duty of fidelity and secrecy toward each other. Communications between attorney and client are privileged and do not have to be disclosed to the court.

What is the role of a translator in a court case?

Professional legal translators and court interpreters play an important role not only in cross-cultural court depositions but also in pre-deposition meetings and attorney-client conferences. The legal concept of privilege is at the foundation of the legal system – and also an area ripe for malpractice suits. Needless to say, attorneys are often ...

Does an interpreter waive privilege?

Specifically, the courts hold that the interpreter’s presence in an attorney client communication does not constitute a waiver to privilege because the interpreter’s role was primarily to facilitate the attorney-client communication, as opposed to providing interpreting services for other reasons.

What is the purpose of asserting and maintaining the privilege with third parties?

As with any assertion of privilege, it is important to understand that properly asserting and maintaining the privilege with third parties has two components: 1) ensuring that communications involving third parties and company attorneys (whether company counsel or outside counsel) are covered by the attorney-client and/or work-product privilege; and 2) maintaining that privilege by avoiding any claim of waiver.

What is black letter law?

Traditional black-letter law teaches that the presence of an outside, or third, party on an otherwise privileged communication will waive privilege. However, courts have found two exceptions to this rule: 1) where the third party is participating to assist an attorney in understanding and interpreting complex principles, ...

What is the Ambac decision?

The Ambac decision and the recent functional equivalent cases are the tip of the spear in the effort to assert and protect your company or client's privileged communications. As market pressures continue to force companies to find efficiencies through outsourcing typical in-house functions or engaging in joint ventures to promote or develop a product, counsel should be careful to properly structure the communication channels among vendors, third parties and joint venture partners so as not to waive any privilege. Taking a proactive approach to understanding the privilege rules of the relevant jurisdiction – which will most likely be the rules of the state in which the communications were made – before sharing privileged communications with a vendor or joint venture partner will save a great deal of stress in the future. Likewise, litigation counsel must be diligent in asserting these privileges during discovery, in order to educate opposing counsel and the courts on the recent shifts in the law.

Why do companies turn to joint ventures?

In a similar vein, companies are turning more and more to joint ventures as they attempt to exploit synergies with other companies – sometimes even competitors – to accomplish tasks that companies traditionally completed on their own.

When is common interest invoked?

The common-interest privilege is typically invoked when privileged communications are exchanged among parties involved in such joint ventures. It is important to understand the basic elements of the common-interest privilege so that counsel can appropriately structure communication channels to protect the privilege.

Is privileged communications legal?

The modern business landscape is replete with examples of privileged legal communications occurring outside traditional corporate silos. For years, it has been appreciated by litigants (and courts) that bankers, experts and consultants could sufficiently implicate legal issues and strategies and, as a result, some communications with them may be protected under the attorney-client privilege. More recently, faced with pressure to increase efficiency, companies have increased their dependence on outside entities to complete tasks that were once reserved for in-house employees.

Does a third party break privilege?

The determination that the third party does not break privilege rests, in part, on whether or not the third party was acting in an interpretive function for the attorney by rendering expert advice to assist the attorney in delivering legal advice to the company. In another example, in Calvin Klein Trademark Trust v.

What is the standard introduction for an interpreter?

Professional interpreters generally have a standard introduction they use to: ensure everyone knows who they are and why they are there, determine that they can understand the client (and the client can understand them), and adjust to the register of the client and attorney.

What does an interpreter do?

The interpreter should interpret everything that is said, omitting or adding nothing. The interpreter will find the language with the equivalent meaning, but will not add her own opinions or observations nor omit offensive or nonresponsive comments.

What is a pre-conference meeting?

pre-session (or pre-conference) is a meeting for the interpreter and attorney to review ground rules, position chairs, review relevant terms or documents, review the interpreter’s qualifications, sign a confidenti-ality agreement, and discuss any cultural issues. Interpreters are not cultural experts, but may be able to provide general information about cultural norms or differences in the legal system. The attorney should be sure to talk to the client directly to determine if these norms or issues are relevant to the client before relying on them.

Is confidentiality the norm?

In many countries, confidentiality is not the norm. Some clients will not speak freely unless you reassure them warmly about confidential-ity. Showing them the confidentiality agreement signed by the interpreter may help.

The Use of Third-Party Agents and The Functional Equivalent Doctrine

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As with any assertion of privilege, it is important to understand that properly asserting and maintaining the privilege with third parties has two components: 1) ensuring that communications involving third parties and company attorneys (whether company counsel or outside counsel) are covered by the attorney-client …
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Third Parties Who Assist in Understanding and Interpreting Complex Principles

  • Courts have long recognized that few lawyers can practice without the assistance of messengers, clerks and secretaries who are not themselves attorneys, and thus these third parties will not break privilege. Use of these quasi-legal third parties does not significantly differ from an attorney's use of a language interpreter to translate documents. Courts have made the jump fro…
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The Functional Equivalent Doctrine

  • Another factual predicate supporting claims of privilege is when a third party is so integrated in the company that he or she becomes a functional equivalent of an employee. Under the functional equivalent doctrine, communications between a company's lawyers and its independent contractor merit protection if, "by virtue of assuming the functions and duties of [a] full-time emp…
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Joint Venture and Co-Promotion Agreements

  • The common-interest privilege doctrine is another exception to the black-letter rule that the presence of a third party waives the attorney-client or work-product privilege. The common-interest privilege is typically invoked when privileged communications are exchanged among parties involved in such joint ventures. It is important to understand the basic elements of the co…
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Conclusion

  • The Ambacdecision and the recent functional equivalent cases are the tip of the spear in the effort to assert and protect your company or client's privileged communications. As market pressures continue to force companies to find efficiencies through outsourcing typical in-house functions or engaging in joint ventures to promote or develop a product, counsel should be caref…
See more on arnoldporter.com