3 Weinstein's Federal Evidence § 501.01


Summary

  • Rule 501. Privilege in General. 
    • The common law—as interpreted by United States courts in the light of reason and experience—governs a claim of privilege unless any of the following provides otherwise:

      • the United States Constitution;
      • a federal statute; or
      • rules prescribed by the Supreme Court.

      But in a civil case, state law governs privilege regarding a claim or defense for which state law supplies the rule of decision.

    [Adopted 1975; last amended 2011.]