33. (1) Subject to subsection (2), nothing in this Act, the Act of 2002 or the Act of 2007 shall compel the disclosure by any person of privileged legal material or authorise the taking of privileged legal material.

(2) The disclosure of information may be compelled, or possession of it taken, pursuant to this Act, notwithstanding that it is apprehended that the information is privileged legal material provided that the compelling of its disclosure or the taking of its possession is done by means whereby the confidentiality of the information can be maintained (as against the person compelling such disclosure or taking such possession) pending the determination by F13[the High Court or, in respect of proceedings under Parts 2C, 2D and 2G of the Act of 2002, an adjudication officer appointed under the Act of 2002] of the issue as to whether the information is privileged legal material.

(3) Without prejudice to subsection (4), where, in the circumstances referred to in subsection (2), information has been disclosed or taken possession of pursuant to this Act, the person—

(a) to whom such information has been so disclosed, or

(b) who has taken possession of it,

shall (unless the person has, within the period subsequently mentioned in this subsection, been served with notice of an application under subsection (4) in relation to the matter concerned) apply to F13[the High Court or, in respect of proceedings under Parts 2C, 2D and 2G of the Act of 2002, an adjudication officer appointed under the Act of 2002] for a determination as to whether the information is privileged legal material and an application under this section shall be made within 30 days after the disclosure or the taking of possession.

(4) A person who, in the circumstances referred to in subsection (2), is compelled to disclose information, or from whose possession information is taken, pursuant to this Act, may apply to F13[the High Court or, in respect of proceedings under Parts 2C, 2D and 2G of the Act of 2002, an adjudication officer appointed under the Act of 2002] for a determination as to whether the information is privileged legal material.

(5) Pending the making of a final determination of an application under subsection (3) or (4), F13[the High Court or, in respect of proceedings under Parts 2C, 2D and 2G of the Act of 2002, an adjudication officer appointed under the Act of 2002] may give such interim or interlocutory directions as F13[the court, or the adjudication officer as the case may be,] considers appropriate including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, directions as to—

(a) the preservation of the information, in whole or in part, in a safe and secure place in any manner specified by F13[the court, or the adjudication officer as the case may be,]

(b) the appointment of a person with suitable legal qualifications possessing the level of experience, and the independence from any interest falling to be determined between the parties concerned, that F13[the court, or the adjudication officer as the case may be,] considers to be appropriate for the purpose of—

(i) examining the information, and

(ii) preparing a report for F13[the court, or the adjudication officer as the case may be,] with a view to assisting or facilitating the court in the making by the court of its determination as to whether the information is privileged legal material.

(6) An application under subsection (3), (4) or (5) shall be by motion and may, if F13[the High Court or, in respect of proceedings under Parts 2C, 2D and 2G of the Act of 2002, an adjudication officer appointed under the Act of 2002] directs, be heard otherwise than in public.

(7) In this section—

“computer” includes a personal organiser or any other electronic means of information storage or retrieval;

“information” means information contained in a book, document or record, a computer or otherwise;

“privileged legal material” means information which, in the opinion of the court, a person is entitled to refuse to produce on the grounds of legal professional privilege.