Law firms set to resist the KPMG inquiry — and it could reach the High Court
Ashurst and Allens are expected to refuse any questioning over their work for the consulting giant on professional privilege grounds, raising the prospect of a legal fight.
The law firms called to appear at the parliamentary inquiry into KPMG are expected to block any questions on their work for the consulting giant on the grounds of legal professional privilege.
Capital Brief has been told the law firms — Ashurst and Allens — will resist the view of Labor senator Deborah O’Neill that legal privilege “runs out at the Senate door”.
Allens has reputedly obtained advice from leading silk Perry Herzfeld SC which suggests the matter could quickly progress to the High Court and be a test of the powers of parliamentary committees.
O’Neill is chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services which will hold a hearing into the KPMG audit leaks scandal on Friday.
