Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

• Both parties must sign for the agreement to be legally binding — an unsigned NDA has no effect.
• No solicitor, notarisation or court filing is required in most jurisdictions.
• The confidential information must be clearly and specifically defined — courts will not enforce vague or overly broad clauses.
• Mutual NDAs bind both parties equally; one-way NDAs only bind the receiving party.
• Unreasonably long durations or unlimited scope may be unenforceable — courts can reduce these to a reasonable standard.
• In the UK, NDAs cannot lawfully prevent whistleblowing, reporting a crime, or raising health & safety concerns.
• Keep a signed original copy safely — a photocopy or scanned version is sufficient for most disputes but the original is best.
• Trade secrets may be protected indefinitely under separate legislation even after an NDA expires.
• Rules vary by country — always verify the enforceability requirements in the relevant jurisdiction.

This is public legal information, not legal advice. Rules vary by jurisdiction — always verify requirements in your country. For complex situations, consult a qualified solicitor.