The privileges apply during the lifetime of the donor or 20 years in case of companies.

The privilege does not apply if a lawyer knows that his client either is committing or will commit a crime.

The principle is that his privilege against self-incrimination does not apply because he no longer could be punished for murder.

This privilege does not apply, however, to any accusations of criminal or illegal activity.

As with most privileges, a debate still exists about the circumstances under which the priest-penitent privilege applies.

But if a lawyer thinks his client is about to commit a future crime, the privilege doesn't necessarily apply.

The privilege applies in civil and criminal cases.

The attorney-client privilege applies, and no country can break that barrier.

One minority view finds the privilege might apply to a communication about what to claim on a return.

Courts have found that the privilege does not apply to conversations about purely personal matters.