Examines the historical origins of the action for breach of confidence, the state of the law, and discusses the possible solutions in areas of uncertainty. This work also covers confidentiality in relation to particular professions, including medical advisers, bankers, employees and lawyers, and covers confidentiality in the legal process.

The features include: clarifies what can and cannot be protected as confidential, and what can be classed as a breach of confidentiality; demonstrates which relationships give rise to duties of confidence; explains how confidentiality affects different professions and goes through the codes and rules that apply to each; and illustrates how confidentiality operates within the legal process.

Part One - Origin and principles. Historical introduction. Foundations. Essential features and the duration of confidentiality. Public sector confidentiality. Public interest. Privacy. Data protection and freedom of information. Remedies. Confidentiality and foreign law. Part Two - Particular relationships. Medical advisers. Bankers. Broadcasters and journalists. Employees. Clergy, counsellors, teachers and mediators. Police. Lawyers. Part Three - Confidentiality and the legal process. General principle and exceptions. Legal professional privilege and confidence. Public interest immunity. Methods of partial protection. Children. Arbitrations.