Definitions
(1) In this Division: client includes the following: (a) a person or body who engages a lawyer to provide legal services or who 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 persons of unsound mind, a manager, committee or person (however described) is for the time being acting in respect of the person, estate or property of a client—a manager, committee or person so acting; (e) if a client has died—a personal representative of the client; (f) a successor to the rights and obligations of a client, being rights and obligations in respect of which a confidential communication was made. confidential communication means a communication made in such 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 such 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 a natural person 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 referred to 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 persons of unsound mind, a manager, committee or person (however described) is for the time being acting in respect of the person, estate or property of a party—a manager, committee or person so acting; (c) if a party has died—a personal representative of the party; (d) a successor to the rights and obligations of a party, being rights and obligations in respect of 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.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 22 May 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.
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