Non-Disclosure Agreement: Get NDA Sample For Mutual Confidentiality

What is the simplest way to protect business ideas and client data from disclosure? By using a legally binding contract such as a Non-Disclosure Agreement, you can protect confidential data and maintain control over company records. Use the template that Real Estate Agents London brings, and do not lose control over information even once it leaves your hands.

What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement in the UK

An NDA means a legally binding contract between two or more parties that requires all signers to keep specific information confidential and not to disclose it to third parties. The main purpose of the NDA is to create a confidential relationship between the two parties that agree to protect non-public business information, proprietary information, or trade secrets. 

This written agreement is also called by different names, such as:

• Confidentiality Clause Or Confidentiality Agreement (CA)
• Proprietary Information Agreement (PIA)
• Secrecy Agreement (SA)

Parties Involved in a UK Non-Disclosure Agreement

A Confidentiality agreement involves two parties, each with defined responsibilities and roles: 

1. The Disclosing Party (Information Provider): This can be a person or organisation that owns or shares confidential information.

2. The Receiving Party (Recipient): An individual or company that receives secret information are legally obliged to keep it private.

Confidentiality Agreement Sample

Use this NDA template if you also want to protect and safely exchange your information with another party without fear of disclosure. This gives assurance that all data you shared is still in your hands.

Back-to-Back Agreements

If confidential information is given to any third party willingly, the same confidentiality duties and rules apply to them as well. In these situations, a Secrecy Agreement is classified as a back-to-back agreement.

NDA Law Reform in the UK

The Confidential Disclosure Agreement has not used appropriately in recent years. People started misusing this agreement and stopped their employees from reporting critical issues, such as sexual abuse, harassment, and workplace discrimination. These illegal practices are against Fair Treatment Laws. 

To protect individuals’ rights to rent or work in the UK, the lawmakers stepped in. They proposed new reforms to control the misuse of confidentiality clauses. 

In July 2025, a bill was progressing that would make confidentiality contracts unenforceable if workers are not allowed to report harassment, abuse, or discrimination. A survey of  employers’ reaction to this change shows:

• 48% supported a ban on such NDA clauses
• 18% opposed the ban
• 20% remained neutral
• 14% were unsure

What Types of Information Can a Non-Disclosure Agreement Protect?

A Non-Sharing Agreement can protect any type of information that is not commonly known or already available in public domains. confidential information involves the following categories:

Information Not Covered by an Information Secrecy Agreement

A confidentiality agreement doesn’t cover information that is already publicly known in a specific industry without fault of the recipient party. It also does not protect information that belongs to a receiver or lawfully obtained from another source. In such cases, the recipients are not obliged to keep it confidential. 

How Long Do NDAs Usually Last?

The length of these agreements varies depending on the specific information they cover. Most commonly, these last for 1 to 10 years, though some can run indefinitely. However, to be legally enforceable, the UK government checks that they are clear and specific, not too generic. It should clearly state the terms of agreement and duration.

Types of Non-Disclosure Agreements

NDAs are classified into three categories based on the number of parties involved.

Unilateral (One-Way)

It is sometimes referred to as “one-way NDA” as its name indicates “uni”. Generally, it involves two parties disclosing and receiving. But only information providers (one party) reveal information, and at the same time, hope recipients will not disclose it further for some reasons. If they do so, they need to compensate for the damages caused. 

Bilateral (Two-Way)

This type of NDA is commonly used in business for a joint venture or a merger arrangement. People prefer it because it has the potential to create fair and balanced terms for property investment in the UK. As it involves two parties, both exchange their information; in this situation, these agreements help to protect it from misuse or misappropriation.

Multilateral (Three or More Parties)

A Data Confidentiality Agreement of a multilateral type involves at least three or more parties. Even if only one party tells their findings, everyone needs to protect them. In this way, it removes the need to separate unilateral or bilateral agreements, as all parties review, execute, and implement a single agreement.

Uses of NDA

There are many reasons to use a non-disclosure agreement, actually, such as:

• To protect sensitive information when hiring an employee, an independent consultant or contractor
• During a business transaction or when selling a business, you don’t want the information to get leaked out
• when you want to safely exchange ideas while discussing business plans, inventions and projects.
• To protect the overall business interest and intellectual property from theft
• For confidential terms of settlement agreements in legal disputes.

How To Write a Non-Disclosure Agreement

Creating an agreement is not a big issue; you can do it online easily. Just make sure that it provides the specific information you want to protect and the following details:

1. Scope and Definition of Confidential Information: The contract must clearly define what information is meant to be disclosed.
2. Permitted Use of Confidential Information: It must specify how and when the receiving party use the shared information and for what purpose.
3. Obligations of each party Non-Disclosure Terms: responsibilities of the parties immediately after the NDA is signed (such as protecting secrets and preventing disclosure) must be outlined to avoid misuse.
4. Names and addresses of involved parties: The legal names of companies, businesses and persons involved, plus their registered addresses, also need to be included in the contract.
5. Duration of NDA: It should state the time period for which information must remain undisclosed and safe 

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using an NDA

Look at a glance whether the use of an NDA in your business or other situation is beneficial:

Conclusion

Non-Disclosure agreements are designed to serve a specific purpose of protecting confidential information from misuse and unauthorised disclosure. Based on the number of parties involved, it’s divided into 3 categories: unilateral (one-way), bilateral (two-way), or multilateral (three or more parties). 

Even if the information is shared rightfully with a third party, they are also bound to follow the same NDA rules and obligations outlined. Violation of these rules can result in lawsuits, damages, and, in some cases, injunctions to prevent further disclosure. You can create a contract online or use a sample we provided to make it easier.

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