France’s ‘legal privilege’ law sets up clash with competition enforcement
By Jean Comte ( May 15, 2026, 07:37 GMT | Comment) -- A new French law that grants confidentiality to certain documents drafted by in-house lawyers is out of favor with the national competition authority over an apparent conflict with EU law — and the regulator said it doesn't have to apply it in the "vast majority" of cases. Critics say such a move would be illegal, and they point to a Belgian precedent, where the competition watchdog tried to circumvent similar legislation and lost in court. A similar fight looms in France.A new French law granting legal privilege to in-house lawyers — but which isn’t yet formally in force — is expected to be tested in court, following a statement by the national competition authority that it doesn't have to apply it in the "vast majority" of cases....
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