NDA template for the UK
Create a Non-Disclosure Agreement for the UK in a few minutes. The UK has three legal systems, so FD AI lets you choose England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, then drafts the NDA from Founders Doc's own wording.
In FD AI: Choose United Kingdom › England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland as the governing law. Most business NDAs choose England and Wales.
What this NDA covers
- Mutual or one-way
- Choose whether both sides share information, or only one. It changes who owes the duty to keep things private.
- What is confidential
- Described from your own words — customer lists, pricing, code, plans — so there is no argument later about what was covered.
- What the information may be used for
- Limited to the purpose you describe, such as exploring a partnership or an investment.
- How long it lasts
- Two years unless you choose otherwise, or no time limit at all.
- Personal data
- If personal data will be shared, a data protection clause is added.
- Law and disputes
- The law of the place you choose, with disputes going to the courts or to arbitration.
- No hidden extras
- FD AI does not slip in a non-compete or other aggressive terms you did not ask for.
UK law points to know
- Governing law
- English law (England and Wales) is the most common choice for UK business contracts; Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal systems and can be chosen instead.
- Disputes
- Choose the courts of the part of the UK you picked, or arbitration — often seated in London when the parties are in different countries.
- Third parties
- The NDA can make clear that only the parties can enforce it, as the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 allows in England and Wales.
- Signing
- NDAs are simple contracts and can generally be signed electronically in England and Wales.
- Personal data
- If personal data will be shared, the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 apply; answer Yes to the personal data question and a data protection clause is added.
How it works
- Answer a few questionsPlain English, one at a time. Skip anything you are unsure of.
- FD AI drafts your NDAFrom Founders Doc's own lawyer-written wording, shaped around your answers.
- Check, edit and downloadChange any wording, ask FD AI to explain a clause, then download it as Word.
Common questions
England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?
Choose where you are based or where the work happens. If you are unsure, England and Wales is the usual choice for business contracts in the UK.
Is an NDA signed electronically valid in the UK?
Generally yes for simple contracts like NDAs. Keep the signed copy and a record of how and when it was signed.
Does an NDA need to be a deed in the UK?
Usually not. An NDA where both sides make promises is a simple contract and does not need to be signed as a deed.
Mutual or one-way: which do I need?
If only you will share confidential information, a one-way NDA is enough. If both sides will share, choose mutual so the same duties apply to both.
Do investors sign NDAs?
Many professional investors decline to sign NDAs at the first meeting, because they see many similar ideas. An NDA is more usual later, for due diligence, or with partners and suppliers.
How long should an NDA last?
Two to five years is common for business information. Some information, such as trade secrets, may need protection for longer — FD AI lets you choose a period or no time limit.
Can I edit the NDA after FD AI drafts it?
Yes. You can change any wording in the draft before you download it as a Word document, and ask FD AI to explain any clause.
NDA templates for other countries
Related reading
Draft your UK NDA now
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This page is general information, not legal advice. Every deal is different — for advice on your situation, talk to a Founders Doc lawyer.