What is the difference between the common interest privilege and the joint defense privilege?

Asked by: Mr. Baylee Gerlach DDS  |  Last update: December 27, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (28 votes)

As a starting point, many courts distinguish between the joint defense and common interest privilege, determining that the former is narrow and arises from actual litigation, while the common interest privilege is broader and does not require litigation to be pending.

What is the common interest privilege in federal court?

At its core, the common interest privilege “allows attorneys represent- ing different clients with similar legal interests to share in- formation without having to disclose it to others.” Teleglobe USA Inc. v. BCG Inc. (In re Teleglobe Commc'ns Corp.), 493 F.

What is the joint defense privilege in Florida?

A joint defense agreement (JDA) that allows parties with similar legal interests, who are involved in an investigation or legal proceeding, to share information with each other without waiving the attorney-client privilege, work product protection, or other applicable privilege or protection.

What is the common interest privilege in defamation?

The common interest privilege is most often invoked in the employment context, where an employer has a conditional privilege to disclose potentially defamatory matter about an employee's job performance to those who share an interest in that performance, such as the employee's manager, and in some cases customers or co ...

What is the common interest privilege in PA?

Generally, the common interest privilege “extends the confidentiality of the attorney-client communications to information shared with third parties having common interests and may arise in the context of civil or criminal proceedings.”7 Broader than the similar joint defense privilege, the common interest privilege ...

Difference Between Attorney-Client Privilege & Confidentiality : Legal Advice & Law Information

40 related questions found

What is the difference between joint defense and common interest?

As a starting point, many courts distinguish between the joint defense and common interest privilege, determining that the former is narrow and arises from actual litigation, while the common interest privilege is broader and does not require litigation to be pending.

What is the rule of common interest?

Point of Law (POL). The common interest rule is commonly invoked when multiple parties face a common litigation opponent and enables their counsel to communicate to adequately prepare a defense without waiving privilege.

What is a joint defense agreement?

A Joint Defense Agreement (“JDA”) is an agreement entered into by two or more defendants regarding a common defense. • JDAs are not contracts in the traditional sense. Instead, they act as a “written notice of defendants' invocation of privileges set forth in common law.” United States v.

What is the meaning of common interest?

What does Common interest mean? An interest, as of adjoining users of a common wall or floor, not amounting to a right of property, but entitling the party interested to a say in the use of the common item.

Is privilege a defense in a defamation action?

As we mentioned before, truth is a complete defense to a charge of defamation. So is consent. In addition, absolute privilege is a complete defense to defamation as well.

How to assert common interest privilege?

The burden of establishing common interest privilege lies on the party asserting it, which requires presenting clear evidence that ”(1) the communications were made in the course of a joint defense effort, (2) that the statements were designed to further that effort, and (3) the privilege has not been waived.” In re ...

What is the joint defense strategy?

A joint defense typically arises in the litigation context where co-defendants work together to defeat claims and share aligned legal interests.

Is there spousal privilege in Florida?

Spousal privilege can be invoked both during and after marriage in Florida. This means that communications made in confidence during the marriage remain protected even if the marriage ends.

What is the common interest privilege in Florida?

The Florida courts define the applicability of the Common Interest Privilege as: (1) whether the original disclosures were necessary to obtain informed legal advice and might not have been made absent the attorney-client privilege; (2) whether the communication was such that disclosure to third parties was not intended ...

What are the factors for common interest privilege?

The party asserting the privilege generally must show that: (1) the communications were made in furtherance of a joint defense effort; (2) the statements were designed to further that effort; and (3) the privilege was not waived.

What are matters of common interest?

Matters of Common Interest means modifications to the GCEP Leased Premises including but not limited to related railways, roadways, structures, systems, components, hazards, activities, tenant mix, and population, which can impact safety, safeguards or security risks under DOE or NRC jurisdiction during normal, off- ...

What are common interest examples?

Types of Common Interest Developments

Single-family master planned communities, recreational communities (lake, equestrian, golfing, etc.), condominium highrises, active adult retirement communities, artisan lofts, etc.

What is the point of common interest?

A common interest is a shared, mutual interest between two or more parties in a commercial agreement. It's like a shared goal, something that both parties want to achieve from their partnership.

What is the principle of common interest?

The doctrine that allows separately represented parties with common legal interests to share information with each other and their respective attorneys without destroying the attorney-client privilege. It is also known as the joint defense doctrine.

What is a joint plea?

A joint submission is when both the Crown and the offender's lawyer (or duty counsel) agree on the sentence they are asking the judge to give.

What is the purpose of a joint check agreement?

Joint checks are used by owners to ensure general contractors will pay their subcontractors and material suppliers. Owners have a fundamental interest to ensure all subcontractors and suppliers are paid for their work because they may otherwise record construction liens against the owner's property.

Where does attorney client privilege come from?

This privilege is codified in California law via Evidence Code 954, which gives your attorney the right to refuse to divulge the contents of your conversation, gives you the right to require confidentiality from your attorney, and with few exceptions, makes any breach of that confidence inadmissible in court.

When to use common interest privilege?

Common interest privilege is an exception to the usual rules of waiver. It allows for LPP to be maintained over a privileged document or communication when it is disclosed to another person, extinguishing confidentially as regards that other person, so long as that other person has a sufficient “common interest”.

How to find common interests?

More Tips and Ideas for Cultivating Common Interests
  1. Consider what you're already doing. Your wife may enjoy your woodworking hobby. ...
  2. Try visiting some museums in your area to develop a shared love for history or art. ...
  3. Start your own two-person reading group. ...
  4. Put the pieces together. ...
  5. Serve together.

What is the common interest privilege for defamation?

The common interest privilege is most often invoked in the employment context, where an employer has a conditional privilege to disclose potentially defamatory matter about an employee's job performance to those who share an interest in that performance, such as the employee's manager, and in some cases customers or co ...