Part 6Parliamentary Counsel Office
Objective and functions of PCO
131Confidentiality
Confidential communications between a client of the PCO and the Chief Parliamentary Counsel (or between a client of the PCO and another counsel in the PCO) are subject to legal professional privilege.
However, nothing in this section limits or affects the rules and practice of the House of Representatives.
In this section,—
client includes a Minister of the Crown, a member of Parliament, a government department, an instrument of the Crown, a judicial officer, and a promoter of a local or private Bill
confidential communications includes—
- drafting instructions received by the PCO and communications between any client of the PCO and any counsel in the PCO that relate to the subject matter of the instructions:
- drafts of legislation prepared by or on behalf of the PCO
counsel includes a person who holds a legal qualification referred to in section 137(2) and is working for the PCO as a contractor or secondee in relation to the drafting of legislation.
- drafting instructions received by the PCO and communications between any client of the PCO and any counsel in the PCO that relate to the subject matter of the instructions:
Compare
- 2012 No 119 s 61