{"id":203,"date":"2025-09-23T11:07:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T11:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ccsbinc.com\/?p=203"},"modified":"2025-09-25T16:32:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T16:32:54","slug":"startups-must-prepare-for-nda-law-changes-due-next-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.ccsbinc.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/23\/startups-must-prepare-for-nda-law-changes-due-next-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Startups must prepare for NDA law changes due next week"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

From 1st October, new laws will come into effect that alter the power of non-disclosure agreements or NDAs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The law is an update of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024; and is relevant to anyone who “…has suffered harm as a direct result of being subjected to conduct which constitutes a criminal offence in England and Wales.” <\/span><\/p>\n

The changes are centred upon crime, and in particular, make it explicit that the victim of a crime (or someone who believes that they are a victim of a crime) does not have to be bound by an NDA when it comes to reporting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Businesses need to pay heed, though, too, as this also has ramifications for those who regularly use NDAs to <\/span>protect their IP<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

What are the changes?<\/h2>\n

The law now clarifies the list of “permitted disclosures”. These are disclosures that can be made to a specific list of people by the victim of a crime. <\/span>The Ministry of Justice adds<\/span><\/a>: “There does not have to be a formal investigation or a conviction for someone to be a victim of crime or to reasonably believe they are a victim of crime.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The list includes the Police <\/span>or “other bodies which investigate or prosecute crime”; qualified lawyers and a victim’s close family. For businesses, it is essential to note that this list also includes regulated professionals and regulators. <\/span><\/p>\n

How do they affect businesses?<\/h2>\n

The changes mean that if someone within a business believes themselves to be a victim of a crime, they can report their concerns, whether or not they have signed an NDA. <\/span><\/p>\n

For businesses, it is important to note that the list of organisations that can be approached includes:<\/span><\/p>\n