Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018: Key legislation implementing the EU Trade Secrets Directive that defines trade secrets and establishes their protection under English law
Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR: Comprehensive data protection legislation governing the handling of personal data, including data protection principles and data subject rights
Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989: Fundamental contract law legislation governing formalities of contracts and property transactions
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999: Legislation governing how third parties may enforce terms of a contract to which they are not directly party
Employment Rights Act 1996: Key legislation helpful in distinguishing employment relationships from consultancy arrangements
Equality Act 2010: Legislation governing non-discrimination provisions and equality requirements in contractual relationships
Common Law Doctrine of Confidentiality: Established legal principles protecting confidential information and trade secrets through case law
Reasonableness Doctrine: Common law principle requiring restrictive covenants to be reasonable in scope, duration, and geographic extent
Legitimate Business Interests Doctrine: Common law principle requiring that confidentiality provisions protect genuine business interests rather than simply restrict competition
Public Policy Considerations: Common law principles balancing contract enforcement against public interest and policy concerns
Competition Law: Legal framework ensuring confidentiality provisions do not unfairly restrict competition or create market dominance
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988: Legislation governing intellectual property rights protection, particularly relevant for consultancy work products
Trade Marks Act 1994: Legislation protecting trademarks and brand-related intellectual property that may be disclosed during consultancy
