What is rule 502?

Answer 1

It refers to the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Rule 502. Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product; Limitations on Waiver

(a) Scope of waiver.

In federal proceedings, the waiver by disclosure of an attorney-client privilege or work product protection extends to an undisclosed communication or information concerning the same subject matter only if that undisclosed communication or information ought in fairness to be considered with the disclosed communication or information.

(b) Inadvertent disclosure.

A disclosure of a communication or information covered by the attorney-client privilege or work product protection does not operate as a waiver in a state or federal proceeding if the disclosure is inadvertent and is made in connection with federal litigation or federal administrative proceedings - and if the holder of the privilege or work product protection took reasonable precautions to prevent disclosure and took reasonably prompt measures, once the holder knew or should have known of the disclosure, to rectify the error, including (if applicable) following the procedures in Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(5)(B).

[( c ) Selective waiver.

In a federal or state proceeding, a disclosure of a communication or information covered by the attorney-client privilege or work product protection - when made to a federal public office or agency in the exercise of its regulatory, investigative, or enforcement authority - does not operate as a waiver of the privilege or protection in favor of non-governmental persons or entities. The effect of disclosure to a state or local government agency, with respect to non-governmental persons or entities, is governed by applicable state law. Nothing in this rule limits or expands the authority of a government agency to disclose communications or information to other government agencies or as otherwise authorized or required by law.]**

(d) Controlling effect of court orders.

A federal court order that the attorney-client privilege or work product protection is not waived as a result of disclosure in connection with the litigation pending before the court governs all persons or entities in all state or federal proceedings, whether or not they were parties to the matter before the court, if the order incorporates the agreement of the parties before the court.

(e) Controlling effect of party agreements.

An agreement on the effect of disclosure of a communication or information covered by the attorney-client privilege or work product protection is binding on the parties to the agreement, but not on other parties unless the agreement is incorporated into a court order.

(f) Included privilege and protection.

As used in this rule:

(1) "attorney-client privilege" means the protection provided for confidential attorney-client communications, under applicable law; and

(2) "work product protection" means the protection for materials prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial, under applicable law

Answer 2

Rule 502 refers to a provision in the Federal Rules of Evidence that addresses attorney-client privilege and work product protections. This rule helps to preserve the confidentiality of communications between attorneys and their clients, as well as protect materials prepared in anticipation of litigation. Its goal is to encourage open and honest communication between clients and their legal counsel.