In-house legal consultation
In-house legal consultation means an organization obtaining legal advice from a lawyer it employs rather than from an outside firm. The in-house lawyer gives advice on contracts, compliance, employment and disputes as matters arise. Legal advice given in that capacity is protected by solicitor-client privilege.
How BC law treats it
In-house lawyers practising in BC must be members of the Law Society of British Columbia and follow the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia. Their legal advice is privileged to the same extent as outside counsel's (Pritchard v Ontario (Human Rights Commission), 2004 SCC 31).
What it means for your business
Consulting in-house counsel early can reduce outside legal costs, but complex or high-stakes matters often still need specialist external advice.
Risks and common mistakes
Treating every communication with in-house counsel as privileged is a mistake; business advice is not protected.
For the full explanation, see our entry on In-house counsel.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
