Privileges

• Author: Scott Brister (Ret.)/Dan S. Boyd
• Pages: 839-906

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Chapter 25

PRIVILEGES

QUICK VIEW

Definitions: Evidence privileges are a group of exclusionary rules, each with its own requirements and peculiari-

ties. Qualified privileges may be overridden by the court in particular circumstances. The main qualified privi-

leges are: attorney-client communications, ordinary work-product, physician-patient communications, witness

statements, party communications, and journalist’s disclosure of confidential sources. Courts cannot compel

disclosure of absolute privileges. The main absolute privileges are: opinion work product, self-incrimination,

husband-wife communications, proceedings and records of medical peer review committees, and complaints to the

Texas Board of Medical Examiners.

Scope of chapter: Rules and techniques applicable to all privileges. Specific rules and techniques applicable

to the following privileges: lawyer-client, work product, joint-defense, self critical analysis, self incrimination,

trade secrets, physician-patient, mental health communications, spousal communications, communications to

clergy, news media sources, and litigation settlement and mediations.

Strategies and tactics:

Privileges arise in a variety of contexts, and are based on different policy goals. Some of the main public policies

regarding privileges are to:

• Encourage people to seek professional advice, and freely disclose information to the adviser, without fear the

facts will be made public.

• Encourage open communications between husband and wife, thereby preserving the sanctity of marriage.

• Prevent competitors from gaining access to crux of business operation or method of gaining success.

• Prevent excessive or brutal persuasion of witnesses to force testimony or statements that may or may not be

true.

Statutes and rules: TRCP 191.2, 192.3, 192.5, 192.6, 193.2, 193.3, 193.4, and 215. TRE 500 - 513.

Related topics: Scope of Discovery, Ch 24; Request for Admissions, Ch 31; Interrogatories, Ch 30; Discovery

Motions, Ch 32; Document Production, Ch 27.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. General Concepts

A. Overview

1. DEFINITIONS, PURPOSES

§25:01 General Rule

§25:02 Privileges Defined

§25:03 Other Evidence Rules Compared

§25:04 Holders and Watchdogs

(Rev. 10, 4/13)

TEXAS PRETRIAL PRACTICE 25-2

§25:05 Qualified vs. Absolute Privilege

§25:06 Purposes

2. CREATION, CONTENT, AND DURATION

§25:12 Privilege Exists Automatically

§25:12.1 Comment on Invocation

§25:13 Duration

3. IMPACT ON DISCOVERY

§25:18 Privileged Information Not Freely Discoverable

§25:19 Defeating a Qualified Privilege

§25:20 Absolute Privilege

§25:21 Privileges Are Narrowly Construed

§25:22 Ex Parte Circumvention

4. GOVERNING LAW

§25:28 Statutes and Rules

§25:29 Constitutional Provisions

§25:30 Which State’s Privilege Applies?

§25:31 Table of Rules

B. Procedures

§25:36 Object and Refuse Disclosure

§25:37 Don’t Request Protective Order

§25:38 Delayed Objection

§25:39 Hearing on Privilege Objections

§25:40 Burdens on Motion

§25:41 Privilege Log

C. Waiver

1. BASIC POINTS

§25:46 “Waiver” Defined

§25:47 Battleground Issues

2. BY WHOM

§25:52 Holder

§25:53 Holder’s Successor

§25:54 Corporate Agent

§25:55 Lawyer

§25:56 Caution: Disclosures to Expert Witness

3. HOW

a. Elements

§25:62 Statement of Rule and Rationale

§25:63 Disclosure

§25:64 “Any Significant Part of” the Communication

§25:65 In an Unprivileged Communication

b. Unprivileged Disclosure

§25:70 Voluntary Conduct Required

§25:71 Inadvertent Disclosures: The Snap-Back Provision

§25:72 Intent Implied From Conduct

§25:73 Consenting to Disclosure

§25:74 Exception: Disclosure Itself Privileged

§25:75 Unauthorized Disclosures

(Rev. 1, 12/00)

25-3 PRIVILEGES

c. Place Privileged Information At Issue

§25:80 Testimony About Character

§25:81 Reliance on Privileged Information

4. EXTENT OF WAIVER

§25:86 Scope of Waiver

§25:87 Waiver Not Necessarily Irreversible

§25:88 In Which Proceedings

D. Compelling Disclosure

§25:94 Burdens

§25:95 In Camera Review

§25:96 Appellate Review

II. Lawyer-Client Privilege

A. Summary and Tactics

§25:102 In General

§25:103 General Exceptions

§25:104 Educate Client

§25:105 Lay Groundwork for Motions

B. Elements of a Privileged Communication

1. A “COMMUNICATION”

a. Means of Communication

§25:110 Oral and Written

§25:111 Electronic Transmissions

b. Substance of Communication

§25:116 Existence of Communication Not Privileged

§25:117 Facts Communicated Not Privileged

§25:118 Documents Given to Lawyer Not Privileged

§25:119 Client’s Identity and Location

§25:120 Fee Agreement; Terms of Retention

§25:121 Identity and Location of Potential Parties

§25:122 Persons With Knowledge of Relevant Facts

2. PURPOSE OF COMMUNICATION

§25:128 To Retain Lawyer; Secure Legal Service

§25:129 Communication Related to Legal Services

§25:130 Privilege Covers Legal Advice and Factual Information

§25:131 Payment Not Determinative

§25:132 Litigation Not Necessary

§25:133 Representation Not Determinative

3. CONFIDENTIALITY

a. Client; Lawyer; Their Agents

§25:138 Requirement

§25:139 Client

§25:140 Client’s Agent

§25:141 Corporate Client’s Agent and the Subject Matter Test

§25:142 Lawyer

(Rev. 10, 4/13)

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