-Only the holder of a privilege, or someone authorized by the holder, can assert the privilege. -If the holder fails it assert it alter having notice and an opportunity to assert it, the privilege is waived. -The privilege may also be waived if the holder discloses a significant part of the communication to a party not within the protected relationship. -The communication, to be within the privilege, must be sufficiently related to the relationship protected (eg.. communications between an attorney and client must be related to legal consultation).