Law Society reaction to bugging of solicitors conversations with clients

12th February 2008

Commenting on solicitor fears that telephone conversations with clients are routinely bugged, Andrew Holroyd, Law Society President, said;

“It is completely unacceptable that defence solicitors should fear that their conversations with clients are being monitored. The law requires that conversations between a solicitor and their client are legally privileged. All monitoring should cease and if a conversation between a solicitor and a client is captured accidentally the tape should be destroyed.”

“Every client of a solicitor should be able to confer with them in confidence. The principle of being able to seek confidential legal advice is a basic principle of English law.”

 
In a recent interview with Sky news Mr. Holroyd called for an overhaul of the guidelines on the use of intercept evidence under terrorist legislation and the Regulation of Investigative Powers Act.

He added that the practice of bugging conversations with clients could have implications for trials.