Non-Disclosure Agreement Template for the UK

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What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement?

A Non-Disclosure Agreement is a legally binding contract that keeps sensitive information confidential. When you share business secrets, client data, or valuable know-how with others, this agreement stops them from leaking or misusing that information. It's one of the most common legal tools used by UK businesses to protect their intellectual property and commercial interests.

Under English law, NDAs create clear obligations about who can access protected information and how they must handle it. Breaking these terms can lead to court action, damages claims, and even injunctions to stop further breaches. Companies often ask employees, contractors, and business partners to sign NDAs before sharing sensitive details about products, strategies, or innovations.

Sample clauses: standard wording in a UK non-disclosure agreement

3. Confidentiality Undertakings and Permitted Disclosure
3.1 The Receiving Party shall keep the Confidential Information secret, shall use it solely for [the Permitted Purpose] and shall not use it to obtain any commercial advantage over the Disclosing Party.
3.2 The Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information only to those of its employees, officers and professional advisers who need to know it for the Permitted Purpose, provided that the Receiving Party first informs each of them of the confidential nature of the information and remains liable for their acts and omissions as if they were its own.
3.3 The Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information to the extent required by law, by any court of competent jurisdiction or by any regulatory or governmental body, and shall (where lawful and practicable) give the Disclosing Party [five] Business Days' prior written notice so that the Disclosing Party may seek a protective order.
3.4 Nothing in this Agreement prevents any person from making a protected disclosure within the meaning of Part 4A of the Employment Rights Act 1996, or from reporting a suspected criminal offence to a law enforcement agency.

6. Return of Information, Duration and Remedies
6.1 On written demand by the Disclosing Party, or on expiry of this Agreement, the Receiving Party shall promptly return or securely destroy all documents and materials containing Confidential Information and shall permanently erase it from its systems, save for one copy retained to the extent required by law or by its bona fide internal record retention or automated back-up procedures.
6.2 The obligations in clause 3 continue for [three] years from the date of disclosure, save that obligations in respect of information constituting a trade secret continue for so long as that information remains a trade secret.
6.3 The Receiving Party acknowledges that damages alone may not be an adequate remedy for breach of clause 3, and that the Disclosing Party may seek injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable remedies without proving special damage.

Illustrative extract showing typical drafting under the law of England and Wales. Documents generated with GenieAI are tailored to your rules, standards and context.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should you use a Non-Disclosure Agreement?

Use a Non-Disclosure Agreement before sharing sensitive business information with anyone outside your organization. This includes discussions with potential investors, negotiations with suppliers, hiring new employees, or exploring partnerships. It's especially crucial when revealing trade secrets, customer data, or proprietary technology that gives your business a competitive edge.

The right time to put an NDA in place is before any detailed business conversations begin. For example, during merger talks, product development with external contractors, or when outsourcing key services. British courts generally uphold well-drafted NDAs, making them valuable tools for protecting confidential information and intellectual property rights from day one of any business relationship.

What are the different types of Non-Disclosure Agreement?

Who should typically use a Non-Disclosure Agreement?

  • Business Owners: Protect company secrets, intellectual property, and sensitive business strategies when working with partners or contractors
  • Employees: Sign NDAs as part of employment contracts to maintain confidentiality about internal operations and trade secrets
  • Investors: Review detailed financial and strategic information during due diligence, requiring confidentiality protection
  • Consultants and Freelancers: Access client data and internal systems while providing professional services
  • Legal Professionals: Draft, review, and enforce NDAs to ensure they meet English law requirements and protect client interests

How do you write a Non-Disclosure Agreement?

  • Define Scope: List exactly what information needs protection - trade secrets, customer data, processes, or intellectual property
  • Identify Parties: Gather full legal names and addresses of all individuals or companies who will sign
  • Set Duration: Decide how long the confidentiality obligations should last after sharing information
  • Specify Permissions: Detail who can access the information and how they may use it
  • Use Our Platform: Generate a customised, legally-sound NDA template that includes all required elements under English law
  • Review Details: Check all names, dates, and specific terms before finalising the agreement

What should be included in a Non-Disclosure Agreement?

  • Parties: Full legal names and addresses of everyone involved in the agreement
  • Confidential Information: Clear definition of what information is protected and how it can be used
  • Duration: Specific timeframe for how long the confidentiality obligations last
  • Permitted Use: Explicit terms about how the information may be used or shared
  • Return of Information: Requirements for handling or destroying confidential materials
  • Breach Consequences: Clear remedies and enforcement options under English law
  • Governing Law: Statement confirming English law applies to the agreement
  • Signature Block: Space for dated signatures from all parties

What's the difference between a Non-Disclosure Agreement and a Non-Compete Agreement?

A Non-Disclosure Agreement focuses specifically on protecting confidential information, while a Non-Compete Agreement serves a broader competitive purpose. Though often used together, they serve distinct legal functions under English law.

  • Scope of Protection: NDAs protect specific information from disclosure, while non-compete agreements prevent competitive activities like working for rivals or starting competing businesses
  • Duration: NDAs typically last indefinitely for trade secrets, while non-compete clauses must have reasonable time limits to be enforceable in UK courts
  • Legal Scrutiny: Courts generally uphold well-drafted NDAs, but carefully examine non-compete agreements to ensure they don't unreasonably restrict employment rights
  • Primary Use: NDAs work well for sharing sensitive information during business discussions, while non-competes typically appear in employment or business sale contracts

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Source: GenieAI internal data Updated 6 hours ago

Reviewed by

Swetha Meenal

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

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A lawyer, legal researcher and legal tech founder, Swetha has built AI products deployed inside Tier 1 firms and enterprises. She ensures GenieAI's alignment with the latest regulation and executes testing on the legal robustness of Genie output.

Reviewed by

Imad Mohammed Nazar

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

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A Skadden-trained M&A lawyer, Imad advised on cross-border transactions and contractual risk before moving into legal AI. He reviews GenieAI's output for compliance and enforceability across our 150+ supported jurisdictions, as well as facilitating external benchmarking.

Jurisdiction

England & Wales

Publisher

GenieAI

Cost

Free to use

Last updated

About the Non-Disclosure Agreement

  • Define Scope: List exactly what information needs protection - trade secrets, customer data, processes, or intellectual property
  • Identify Parties: Gather full legal names and addresses of all individuals or companies who will sign
  • Set Duration: Decide how long the confidentiality obligations should last after sharing information
  • Specify Permissions: Detail who can access the information and how they may use it
  • Use Our Platform: Generate a customised, legally-sound NDA template that includes all required elements under English law
  • Review Details: Check all names, dates, and specific terms before finalising the agreement

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