What remedies are available to a plaintiff who has received privileged information from an opposing party but not used it in litigation?

British Columbia, Canada


The following excerpt is from 888 Fort Street Holdings Ltd. v. Ross, 2017 BCSC 579 (CanLII):

The authorities, like Celanese, generally address circumstances where counsel has received the privileged documents of the opposing party but not used the documents in the litigation. Even when the privileged information comes into the opposing party’s hands through “self-help”, which as appears to have been the case here, the remedy typically sought by the aggrieved party is the removal of the offending party’s counsel of record. Other remedies that might be ordered include the return or destruction of the privileged communications and/or restraining the offending party from further use or reliance on the communications: Nielsen v. Nielsen, 2017 BCSC 269 at para. 85. Whether the breach of solicitor-client privilege was advertent or inadvertent, any remedial action ordered should be “curative not punitive”: Celanese, para. 35.

Other Questions


Is there an implied waiver of privilege where a party waives privilege but takes a position in relation to privileged materials that is inconsistent with maintaining privilege? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is litigation privilege and what is the argument that litigation privilege means? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is litigation privilege and what is the effect of litigation privilege on court-appointed and joint appointed experts? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does a successful party have the right to claim special costs when the successful party is in a relationship with an opposing party? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the test for a plaintiff to have to pay the costs of a party who commences a public interest litigation? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the effect of the intention or understanding of a party to a transaction where a party intended to transfer a vehicle to another party? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the range of damages available to a plaintiff in a copyright action brought by a third party who infringes copyright? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does litigation privilege apply to communications between lawyers and third parties? (British Columbia, Canada)
What remedies are available to a plaintiff upon a finding of unjust enrichment? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is a plaintiff’s personal injury fund available for use in a personal injury litigation deduction? (British Columbia, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.