WTO Publishes Alert re: Recent Developments Affecting Attorney-Client Privilege

DENVER: Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell published an Alert regarding a recent decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), the highest court in the European Union for matters dealing with European Union law, in Akzo Nobel Chemicals Ltd v. Commission (Sept. 2010).  The court's ruling limits the assertion of the attorney-client privilege for communications with in-house counsel in investigations of EU competition laws. The decision conflicts with the laws of some EU members and other foreign jurisdictions such as the United States.

The Alert also mentions the recent amendment to ABA Model Rule 1.6 that permits broader disclosure of confidential information.