Legal Professional Privilege over Accounting Documents

The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) had issued a notice requiring an accounting firm to produce documents relating to the financial affairs of Paul Hogan. In a Federal Court proceeding, Mr. Hogan maintained a claim of legal professional privilege over the accounting documents. The High Court dismissed the appeal by stating that the jurisdiction of the Federal Court to restrict publication of evidence is limited to section 50 and outside the terms of that section, broad notions of confidentiality will not assist.