New Zealand Acts

LEGISLATION ACT 2019 - SECT 131

131 Confidentiality

1 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.

2 However, nothing in this section limits or affects the rules and practice of the House of Representatives.

3 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—  

a) 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:

b) 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.

Note: 2012 No 119 s 61