Disclosure Agreement Template for England and Wales

A Disclosure Agreement sets legally binding rules for sharing sensitive information between parties. Companies and professionals across the UK use these contracts to protect confidential details like trade secrets, customer data, or business plans when working together on projects or during negotiations.

The agreement spells out what information must stay private, how long the secrecy lasts, and what happens if someone breaks these rules. Under English law, these agreements create clear obligations for everyone involved and make it easier to claim damages if confidential information leaks out. Courts will generally enforce them as long as they're reasonable in scope and duration.

Use a Disclosure Agreement before sharing sensitive business information with potential partners, investors, or service providers. This becomes essential when discussing trade secrets, upcoming products, financial data, or customer information during negotiations, due diligence, or joint ventures.

The agreement needs to be in place before any confidential discussions begin. Common triggers include pitching to investors, exploring a merger or acquisition, working with consultants, or outsourcing key business functions. Many UK companies make signing these agreements their first step in any sensitive business conversation to establish clear legal protection from the start.

• Mutual NDA: Both parties exchange and protect each other's confidential information, common in partnerships and joint ventures
• Confidentiality Agreement: One-way protection where only one party shares sensitive information with the other
• Non Disclosure Agreement For Website Development: Specialized protection for tech projects, covering source code and design elements
• NDA Agreement Form: Simplified version for standard business situations with straightforward confidentiality needs
• Confidentiality Agreement Document: Comprehensive version with detailed terms for complex business relationships

• Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Protect trade secrets and business plans when seeking investment or partnerships
• Corporate Legal Teams: Draft and review Disclosure Agreements to ensure legal enforceability and compliance
• Employees & Contractors: Sign agreements to maintain confidentiality about company information they access
• Investors & Venture Capitalists: Receive sensitive financial data during due diligence processes
• Technology Companies: Safeguard intellectual property when collaborating with developers or partners
• Professional Services Firms: Handle client information confidentially during consultancy or advisory work

• Identify Parties: Gather full legal names and addresses of all parties who will sign the agreement
• Define Scope: List specific confidential information to be protected and any exclusions
• Set Duration: Decide how long the confidentiality obligations will last
• Permitted Uses: Specify exactly how the receiving party can use the confidential information
• Security Measures: Detail how information must be stored and protected
• Return Policy: Outline when and how confidential materials must be returned or destroyed
• Draft Review: Use our platform to generate a legally sound agreement that includes all required elements

• Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and company registration numbers of all parties
• Definition Section: Clear explanation of what constitutes confidential information
• Obligations Clause: Specific duties for handling and protecting confidential data
• Time Period: Clear start date and duration of confidentiality obligations
• Permitted Uses: Explicit description of allowed uses for the information
• Data Protection: Compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act requirements
• Breach Remedies: Consequences and available legal actions for violations
• Governing Law: Explicit statement that English law applies
• Signature Block: Space for dated signatures of authorized representatives

A Disclosure Agreement differs significantly from an Advisory Agreement in several key aspects, though both are commonly used in business relationships. While Disclosure Agreements focus specifically on protecting confidential information, Advisory Agreements establish a broader professional relationship for providing expert guidance and services.

• Scope of Protection: Disclosure Agreements solely protect confidential information, while Advisory Agreements cover service delivery, compensation, and duties
• Duration Impact: Confidentiality obligations often extend years beyond the agreement's end, whereas advisory services typically terminate with the agreement
• Legal Enforcement: Disclosure Agreements focus on preventing information leaks and securing damages, while Advisory Agreements emphasize service quality and professional standards
• Primary Users: Disclosure Agreements are used across all industries for any confidential exchange, but Advisory Agreements specifically govern consultant-client relationships