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Evidence Act 2011
117Definitions—div 3.10.1
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117 Definitions—div 3.10.1
(1) In this division:
client includes the following:
(a) an entity that engages a lawyer to provide legal services or that
employs a lawyer (including under a contract of service);
(b) an employee or agent of a client;
(c) an employer of a lawyer if the employer is—
(i) the Commonwealth or a State or Territory; or
(ii) a body established by a law of the Commonwealth or a
State or Territory;
(d) if, under a law of a State or Territory relating to people of
unsound mind, a manager, committee or person (however
described) is acting in relation to the person, estate or property
of a client—the manager, committee or person;
(e) if a client has died—the client’s personal representative;
(f) a successor to the rights and obligations of a client, that are rights
and obligations in relation to which a confidential
communication was made.
confidential communication means a communication made in
circumstances that, when it was made—
(a) the person who made it; or
(b) the person to whom it was made;
was under an express or implied obligation not to disclose its
contents, whether or not the obligation arises under law.
confidential document means a document prepared in circumstances
that, when it was prepared—
(a) the person who prepared it; or
(b) the person for whom it was prepared;
was under an express or implied obligation not to disclose its
contents, whether or not the obligation arises under law.
lawyer means—
(a) an Australian lawyer; and
(b) an Australian-registered foreign lawyer; and
(c) an overseas-registered foreign lawyer or an individual who,
under the law of a foreign country, is permitted to engage in
legal practice in that country; and
(d) an employee or agent of a lawyer mentioned in paragraph (a),
(b) or (c).
party includes the following:
(a) an employee or agent of a party;
(b) if, under a law of a State or Territory relating to people of
unsound mind, a manager, committee or person (however
described) is acting in relation to the person, estate or property
of a party—the manager, committee or person;
(c) if a party has died—the party’s personal representative;
(d) a successor to the rights and obligations of a party, that are rights
and obligations in relation to which a confidential
communication was made.
(2) A reference in this division to the commission of an act includes a
reference to a failure to act.