§ 2-502. Ownership of documents

   (a) "Accountant's document" defined. -- In this section, "accountant's document":

   (1) means any of the following documents, if the document is prepared by an accountant in the course of professional service provided to a client:

      (i) a memorandum;

      (ii) a record;

      (iii) a schedule;

      (iv) a statement; or

      (v) a working paper; and

   (2) does not include any document provided by the client to the accountant.

(b) In general. -- Unless the client to whom an accountant's document relates and the accountant expressly agree to the contrary, the accountant's document is:

   (1) the property of the accountant who prepared it; or

   (2) if the accountant is a partner or employee of an accounting firm, the property of the firm.

(c) Transfer. -- Unless the client or a personal representative or assignee of the client consents, an accountant who holds an accountant's document that relates to a client may not give, sell, or otherwise transfer the accountant's document to anyone other than a partner of the accountant.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 75A, § 2-502; 1989, ch. 3, § 1.