SC Allows General Council Plea Seeking Protection for In-House Lawyers in Lawyers Privilege Case

The Supreme Court has permitted the General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI) to intervene in proceedings concerning investigating agencies summoning advocates, including in-house lawyers, for legal advice given to clients.

GCAI argued that in-house counsel perform core legal functions and should be equally protected by privilege and confidentiality.

The plea emphasised that legal advice by in-house lawyers is just as integral to corporate legal affairs, and sought safeguards against such summons.