Quick view: Overview of the law of privilege in England and Wales (UK)

Updated as of: 10 February 2026
This Quick view explains the origins of privilege, its scope and application in England and Wales. The Quick view provides in-house counsel and private practice lawyers with a high-level understanding of the rules, which are particularly important in the context of legal advice and to maintain privilege and protect disclosure of certain communications and documents in the context of litigation and regulatory investigations.