confidential communication

n.
A statement made to someone, such as one's physician, attorney, priest, or spouse, who cannot be legally compelled to divulge the information.

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

A form of privileged communication passed from one individual to another, intended to be heard only by the individual addressed.

A confidential communication is ordinarily between two people who are affiliated in a confidential relation, such as an attorney and client, husband and wife, or master and servant.

If this type of communication is made in the presence of a third party, whose presence is not necessary for such communication, it is not considered privileged. In certain cases, the presence of a third party might be required, as where there is a language barrier such that one of the individuals engaged in the confidential communication needs an interpreter.

See: attorney-client privilege; marital communications privilege.