[Invest&Law] Korean Bar Association Launches 'Attorney-Client ACP Guidelines Study TF'

Attorney Lee Munhan of Kim & Chang Appointed TF Chair
Clarifying Scope of Communications
Minimizing Confusion in Investigations and Trials

Lee Munhan, chair of the Task Force (TF) for guideline research on attorney-client privilege (AC) (attorney, left), and Kim Jungwook, president of the Korean Bar Association. Provided by the Korean Bar Association.

The Korean Bar Association announced on the 25th that it has begun work on preparing follow-up guidelines for the attorney-client privilege (ACP) system.

The Korean Bar Association formed the Guidelines Study Task Force (TF) on ACP to ensure the stable implementation of the system after the amendment to the Attorney-at-Law Act, centered on the introduction of ACP, passed the plenary session of the National Assembly, and held its first meeting on the 23rd. Attorney Lee Munhan of Kim & Chang Law Offices(27th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute) was appointed as the TF chair.

The TF plans to focus on organizing the specific scope of communications between attorneys and clients and defining the limits of materials subject to protection, in order to minimize confusion during investigation and trial proceedings. Along with establishing the scope of work to which ACP applies, it will also review transparent operational measures, such as strengthening professional ethics standards for attorneys so that the system is not misused or abused for improper purposes.

In addition, the TF will collect and review substantive cases related to ACP and is also pursuing a plan to add experts recommended by major domestic law firms as TF members in order to incorporate a wide range of opinions into the follow-up guidelines.

A representative of the Korean Bar Association stated, "ACP is not a privilege of attorneys but a right of the people and a safeguard that guarantees the legitimacy of investigation and trial procedures," adding, "We plan to present concrete guidelines for the successful establishment and implementation of the ACP system through various studies and public discussions, including forums, to gather opinions going forward."