Report comment

SRA Code of conduct 2007 had guidance
"You may reveal confidential information to the extent that you believe necessary to prevent the client or a third party committing a criminal act that you reasonably believe is likely to result in serious bodily harm."
this is not specifcially listed in the 2016 handbook but in the SRA ethics guidance it states:
"Preventing the commission of a criminal offence
You may well be able to disclose information to prevent the commission of a future criminal offence by applying the principles discussed above: there is no confidence in an iniquity and communications that further a criminal purpose are simply not privileged.
Notwithstanding the above, if there is a breach of your duty of confidentiality,that may be mitigated if you have disclosed confidential information to the extent that you believe it necessary to prevent your client or a third party from committing a criminal act that you believe, on reasonable grounds, is likely to result in serious bodily harm. You will need to balance the duty of confidentiality to your client with the public interest in preventing harm to others and will need to consider carefully the information available to you and whether this clearly identifies a proposed victim or is sufficiently detailed or compelling for you to form an opinion that a serious criminal offence will occur."