Disclosure of a confidential complaint letter to the subject lawyer violated the privacy act.
The complainant, a father involved in a custody dispute, wrote a confidential letter to the Children's Lawyer expressing concerns about the lawyer assigned to his children.
Despite a specific request for confidentiality, the Children's Lawyer shared the letter with the assigned lawyer and the complainant's own counsel.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner investigated and found that the letter contained personal information and that its disclosure to both lawyers violated section 42 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The Mediator recommended that the Office of the Children's Lawyer develop guidelines for handling confidential complaints.
Ministry of the Attorney General (Re), 2001 CanLII 26270
