confidential communication

American  

noun

Law.

1. a confidential statement made to a lawyer, doctor, or pastor, or to one's spouse, privileged against disclosure in court if the privilege is claimed by the client, patient, penitent, or spouse.

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Etymology

Origin of confidential communication

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Taken together, these filings depict a system where confidential communication with an attorney is structurally impossible.

From Slate • Dec. 12, 2025

The existence of a confidential communication channel between Mary and Castelnau was well-known to historians, and even to the English government at the time.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2023

Mr. Rusesabagina and his lawyers also said that his rights to confidential communication and his ability to prepare his defense while he was in jail were repeatedly violated.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2022

The potential false sense of security is an especially important warning sign for reporters and their sources, who have turned increasingly to encrypted apps for confidential communication as such services have proliferated in recent years.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2018

Sir James at the same time enclosed the document to the Secretary of the Admiralty, as a confidential communication to the Board.

From Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez. Vol II by Ross, John, Sir