Schweigepflicht
duty of confidentiality; professional secrecy obligation
noun SHVY-ge-pflikht Rare
Usage Note
Schweigepflicht binds lawyers, doctors, and clergy to keep client and patient information confidential; breaching it is itself a criminal offence (§203 StGB). It is the basis for Zeugnisverweigerungsrecht in court.
Examples
"Der Arzt berief sich auf seine Schweigepflicht und verweigerte die Aussage."
Natural Translation
The doctor invoked his duty of confidentiality and refused to testify.
Literal Translation
The doctor invoked his silence-duty and refused the statement.
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Related Words
- Abmahnschreiben formal warning letter (demanding cessation of unlawful conduct)
- Abschiebung deportation
- Akteneinsicht access to files
- Amtsgericht local court
- Amtspflicht official duty; duty of care owed by a public official
- Anfechtungsklage action for annulment
- Angeklagte defendant
- Anhörung hearing; right to be heard (before a decision is made)
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