Confidentiality of advocate activities

Abstract

The article examines the principle of attorney-client privilege in the system of the principles of the Advocacy and Practice of Law, and also the possibility of using electronic technologies and artificial intelligence by an attorney when providing legal assistance to a client in the context of ensuring compliance with the principle of attorney-client privilege.
 It is proved that the principles of the advocacy are the central, leading segments of the principles of the Advocacy, but the «principles of organization and operation of the Advocacy» as a legal institution and the «principles of the Practice of Law» on which the professional activities of attorneys-at-law are based can and should be separated from each other.
 It is established that the general prerequisite for distinguishing any principle of the Practice of Law is its significance, general nature, clarity and comprehensibility. The principle of confidentiality in the practice of law is fundamental since this principle is directly enshrined in Ukrainian legislation. However, in terms of observance of the principle of confidentiality of the Practice of Law, it is required not only from the attorney but also from the client to prevent information leakage to other users when using information technologies.
 When using the capabilities of artificial intelligence in the provision of legal aid, the author recommends that a separate clause of the contract should be provided for, whether the client allows the attorney to use artificial intelligence technologies in the provision of legal aid and to what extent.
 It is concluded that along with the progress and simplification of procedures, uncontrolled use of artificial intelligence by an attorney-at-law may lead to a violation of the principle of confidentiality of the attorney’s practice of law against the will of the attorney-at-law. Under any circumstances, when using artificial intelligence technologies, an attorney-at-law is prohibited from entering any personal data of a client or any other data which may identify the client in order to avoid leakage of confidential information.