Privileged communication, a communication which a witness cannot be compelled to divulge, such as that which takes place between husband and wife (see the (English) Evidence Amendment Act, 1853 (16 & 17 Vict. c. 83), s. 3, and Criminal Evidence Act, 1898 (61 & 62 Vict. c. 36), s. 1), between a client and his legal adviser, and which cannot be disclosed without the client's consent; secrets of State, etc. See also CONFESSION. Also a communication which cannot be made the ground of an action for defamation, either (a) absolutely, or (b) without a malicious motive, such as that which is made truthfully and bona fide by a master respecting the character of a servant to a person intending to employ him. Incidental publication will not affect the privilege, Edmondson v. Birch, (1907) 1 KB 371; consult Odgers on Libel. See LIBEL.
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