| 单词 | Breach of confidence |
| 释义 | 違反保密責任 In equity, the failure of a confidant to preserve information of a confidential character which has been communicated in circumstances giving rise to an obligation of confidence: Coco v A N Clarke (Engineers) Ltd [1968] FSR 415, [1969] RPC 41 (HC). It is possible that, to found a claim for breach of confidence, the unauthorised use of the information must cause detriment of the person communicating it: Dr Lam Tai Hing v Dr Koo Chih Ling Linda & Anor [1993] 2 HKC 1 (CA). However, it has been held that detriment to the plaintiff by the disclosure may not be necessary: A-G v Observer Ltd & Ors, A-G v Times Newspapers Ltd & Anor [1990] 1 AC 109 (HL). Information is of a confidential nature in the sense that it is not something which is in the public knowledge: Saltman Engineering Co Ltd & Ors v Campbell Engineering Co Ltd [1963] 3 All ER 413 (CA). If the circumstances are such that any reasonable man standing in the shoes of the recipient of the information would have realised that upon reasonable grounds, the information was being given to him in confidence, then this should suffice to impose upon him the equitable obligation of confidence: Coco v A N Clarke (Engineers) Ltd, supra. Breach of confidence includes disclosure of confidential information to a third party for a use other than that for which the information was originally disclosed. The degree of secrecy required is relative to the information involved. A confidential relationship exists between a solicitor and his client, and between a doctor and his patient. If the disclosure of private information lowers the reputation of a person, an action may be brought in defamation. Otherwise, damages may be recoverable on the grounds of breach of contract (express and implied), and of trust: Margaret, Duchess of Argyle (Feme Sole) v Duke of Argyle & Ors [1965] 1 All ER 611, [1967] Ch 302; or negligence: Furniss v Fitchett [1958] NZLR 396. Disclosure of information may also be a criminal offence if the information relates to security or intelligence, defence or international relations: Official Secrets Ordinance (Cap 521) ss 13-16. Information of a confidential nature may also be protected by the laws of Hong Kong: Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap 134) ss 49D, 57; Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap 562) s 27; Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap 499) s 28; Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance (Cap 502) s 21; Air Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap 311) s 41; Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap 358) s 44; Societies Ordinance (Cap 151) s 26L. If the information relates to personal data, protection may also be afforded under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap 486). See also Confidential information; Confidential relationship; Contract; Defamation; Duty of confidence; Fiduciary duty; National security; Negligence; Personal data. 在衡平法上，獲告密者未能保存資料的保密性，有關的資料在傳達過程產生保密責任：Coco v A N Clarke (Engineers) Ltd [1968] FSR 415, [1969] RPC 41（高等法院）。為確立違反保密責任的申索，未獲授權的資料使用必須導致傳達資料的人受損害：Dr Lam Tai Hing v Dr Koo Chih Ling Linda & Anor [1993] 2 HKC 1 （上訴法庭）。但法院裁定，即未必須要證明披露消息導致原告受損害：A-G v Observer Ltd & Ors, A-G v Times Newspapers Ltd & Anor [1990] 1 AC 109（上議院）。並非公眾所知的資料具保密性質：Saltman Engineering Co Ltd v Campbell Engineering Co Ltd [1963] 3 All ER 413 （英國上訴法院）。如有關的情況是任何合理的人在接收資料的位置來看，會認為基於合理理由，有關的資料是以機密形式給予他，這足以對其構成衡平法上的保密責任：Coco v A N Clarke (Engineers) Ltd，見上文。違反保密責任包括對第三方披露機密資料，以作原來披露用途以外的使用。所需的保密程度與涉及的資料有關。律師與當事人及醫生與病人之間存在保密關係。如披露私人資料令一人的聲譽下降，則可提出誹謗訴訟。否則，可藉下列的理由追討損害賠償：違反合約 （明示或默示）或違反信託：Margaret, Duchess of Argyle(Feme Sole) v Duke of Argyle & Ors [1965] 1 All ER 611, [1967] Ch 302；或疏忽：Furniss v Fitchett [1958] NZLR 396。如有關的資訊與保安、情報、防衛或國際關係有關，則披露資料也可構成刑事罪行：《官方機密條例》 （第521章） 第13至16條。保密性質的資料也可藉香港法例保護：《危險藥物條例》 （第134章）第49D及57條；《廣播條例》 （第562章）第27條；《環境影響評估條例》（第499章）第28條；《消防安全 （商業處所） 條例》 （第502章） 第21條；《空氣污染管制條例》 （第311章） 第41條；《水污染管制條例》 （第358章） 第44條；《社團條例》 （第151章） 第26L條。如有關的資料與個人資料有關，亦可根據《個人資料 （私隱） 條例》 （第486章）得到保護。另見 Confidential information; Confidential relationship; Contract; Defamation; Duty of confidence; Fiduciary duty; National security; Negligence; Personal data。 |
| 随便看 |
|
法律词典收录了8080条英汉双解法律词条，基本涵盖了常用法律英语单词及短语词组的翻译及用法，是法律学习的有利工具。