Legal Definitions - judicial privilege

Judicial privilege is a legal right that protects statements made in the course of a judicial proceeding by judges, jurors, parties, witnesses, or advocates from being used against them in a lawsuit. It is also known as courtroom privilege.

For example, if a witness testifies in court and makes a statement that could be considered defamatory, they cannot be sued for defamation because of judicial privilege. This privilege is absolute, meaning that it applies even if the statement was made with an improper motive.

Other examples of privileges include attorney-client privilege, doctor-patient privilege, and spousal privilege. These privileges protect confidentialcommunications between individuals in certain relationships from being disclosed in court.

Overall, privileges are exceptions to a duty or legal obligation and grant individuals the legal freedom to do or not do a given act. They immunize conduct that would otherwise subject the actor to liability.