For purposes of this chapter, “client” means a “client” as defined in Section 951 of the Evidence Code.
§ 2018.010.“Client” defined
Title 4. Civil Discovery Act · Chapter 4. Attorney Work Product · Enacted 2004 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 2018.010 defines client, for purposes of the attorney work product chapter, by cross-reference to the definition of client already used in Section 951 of the Evidence Code.
Full Text of § 2018.010
Plain-English Summary
The work product chapter uses the word client repeatedly, particularly in the sections addressing disciplinary proceedings and disputes between an attorney and a client, and rather than crafting a new definition, this section borrows the one already established for the attorney-client privilege in the Evidence Code. Client, as used throughout this chapter, means a client as defined in Section 951 of the Evidence Code.
That cross-reference keeps the work product doctrine's terminology aligned with the closely related attorney-client privilege, since the two protections often arise side by side in the same discovery dispute and it would create confusion to define the same word differently in each context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the work product chapter define "client"?
By reference to Section 951 of the Evidence Code, the same definition used for the attorney-client privilege.
Why didn't the work product chapter write its own definition of client?
To keep the term consistent with the closely related attorney-client privilege, since work product and privilege disputes frequently arise together.
Does this section apply beyond Chapter 4 of the Civil Discovery Act?
No, it defines client specifically for purposes of the attorney work product chapter.
Amendment History
(Added by Stats.2004, c. 182 (A.B.3081), § 23, operative July 1, 2005.)
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the West's Annotated California Codes / Thomson Reuters. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: client definition work product californiaevidence code 951 client definition