Attorney-client privilege is a fundamental legal principle that protects the confidentiality of all information an attorney receives from their client in connection with providing legal assistance.

This includes facts, documents, and any other data the client entrusts to the attorney. It is an obligation to keep all such information confidential, regardless of whether the attorney acted on the case or merely provided advice. The purpose of attorney-client privilege is to ensure the client can communicate freely and openly with their attorney, without fear that disclosed information will be used against them or in any way harm their interests.

In Poland, an advocate (adwokat) and a legal counsel (radca prawny) are two legal professions with many similarities, but they differ in their scope of client representation.

The main distinction is that a legal counsel, unlike an advocate, cannot act as a defense lawyer in criminal cases. An advocate, on the other hand, can represent a client in all types of cases, including criminal, civil, family, administrative, etc. In practice, especially in civil cases, their scope of activity often overlaps. Both professions require completing law studies, an apprenticeship (aplikacja), and passing a professional exam.