In-House Counsel Entitled to Attorney-Client Privilege, Court Clarifies: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India on Friday issued an important clarification stating that in-house counsel employed by companies or corporates do not qualify as “advocates” under the law and therefore cannot claim the protection of attorney–client privilege under Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). The Court delivered its ruling in the suo motu case titled In Re: Summoning Advocates who give legal opinion or represent parties during investigation…