District Of Columbia § 16-4019 - Limits of privilege.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 16-4019 — Limits of privilege., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-4019. Limits of privilege.
16-4019There is no privilege under for a collaborative law communication that is:
Available to the public under the District of Columbia Public Records Management Act of 1985, effective September 5, 1985 (; D.C. Official Code et seq.), or made during a session of a collaborative law process that is open, or is required by law to be open, to the public;
A threat or statement of a plan to inflict bodily injury or commit a crime of violence;
Intentionally used to plan a crime, commit or attempt to commit a crime, or conceal an ongoing crime or ongoing criminal activity;
In an agreement resulting from the collaborative law process evidenced by a record signed by all parties to the agreement; or
A disclosure in a report of suspected domestic violence to an appropriate agency under .
The privileges under for a collaborative law communication do not apply to the extent that a communication is:
Sought or offered to prove or disprove a claim or complaint of professional misconduct or malpractice arising from or related to a collaborative law process; or
Sought or offered to prove or disprove abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation of a child or adult, unless the District of Columbia is a party to or otherwise participates in the process.
There is no privilege under if the tribunal finds, after a hearing in camera, that the party seeking discovery or the proponent of the evidence has shown the evidence is not otherwise available, the need for the evidence substantially outweighs the interest in protecting confidentiality, and the collaborative law communication is sought or offered in:
A judicial proceeding involving a felony or misdemeanor; or
A proceeding seeking rescission or reformation of a contract arising out of the collaborative law process or in which a defense to avoid liability on the contract is asserted.
If a collaborative law communication is subject to an exception under subsection (b) or (c) of this section, only the part of the communication necessary for the application of the exception may be disclosed or admitted.
Disclosure or admission of evidence excepted from the privilege under subsection (b) or (c) of this section does not make the evidence or any other collaborative law communication discoverable or admissible for any other purpose.
The privileges under do not apply if the parties agree in advance in a signed record, or if a record of a proceeding reflects agreement by the parties, that all or part of a collaborative law process is not privileged. This subsection shall not apply to a collaborative law communication made by a person that did not receive actual notice of the agreement before the communication was made.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 16-4019
What does D.C. Code § 16-4019 cover?
Section 16-4019 ("Limits of privilege.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 16-4019?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 16-4019" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 16-4019 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.