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Non-Disclosure Agreement
"I need a non-disclosure agreement to protect confidential information shared during a potential partnership with a UK-based tech company, ensuring non-disclosure for 3 years, with a penalty of £10,000 for breaches, and covering all proprietary data and trade secrets."
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.
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?
- Nondisclosure Agreement: Standard two-way NDA for general business dealings and partnerships
- Non Disclosure Agreement For Employees: Tailored for protecting company secrets during employment relationships
- Real Estate Non Disclosure Agreement: Specific to property transactions and sensitive market information
- NDA And Confidentiality Agreement: Comprehensive version with detailed confidentiality obligations
- Non Disclosure Form For Employees: Simplified format for routine staff onboarding and internal use
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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