Ontario Barrister and Solicitor Practice Exam 2026 - Free Barrister and Solicitor Practice Questions and Study Guide

Both the accidental sending of a client’s document to the wrong person and discussing cases in a public space are significant breaches of client confidentiality.

When a document meant for a client is inadvertently sent to the wrong person, it compromises the confidentiality of that client's sensitive information. Such an act can result in revealing private details that the client assumed would remain protected, potentially leading to harm or disadvantage.

Similarly, discussing cases in a public space poses a serious risk to client confidentiality. Even if no specific names are mentioned, details about cases can be overheard or recognized by others, which could allow confidential information to be disclosed unintentionally.

While not having a written policy on confidentiality is certainly a gap in a law firm's practices, it does not directly result in a breach of confidentiality in the same manner as the previous scenarios that involve actual disclosures of information. Therefore, the combination of both actions exemplifies situations that could lead to a breach of client confidentiality, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding client information in all aspects of legal practice.