Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018: Primary legislation implementing the EU Trade Secrets Directive that defines trade secrets and establishes their protection framework under English law
Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR: Key legislation governing the processing and protection of personal data, which must be considered if confidential information includes personal data
Contracts Rights of Third Parties Act 1999: Legislation governing how third parties may enforce terms of a contract, relevant if the confidentiality agreement needs to benefit third parties
Law of Confidence: Common law principle established through cases like Coco v A.N. Clark (Engineers) Ltd [1969], defining the three key elements of confidence: confidential nature, obligation of confidence, and unauthorized use
Contract Law Fundamentals: Basic principles of contract law including consideration, intention to create legal relations, and capacity to contract
Restraint of Trade Doctrine: Legal principle ensuring that contractual restrictions on trade or business activities are reasonable in terms of time and scope
Public Interest Exceptions: Legal principles covering whistleblowing protection and public policy considerations that may override confidentiality obligations
Employment Law Implications: Relevant employment legislation and principles that must be considered if the confidentiality agreement involves employees or workplace rights
