Non-Circumvention Agreement

What is a non-circumvention agreement?

A non-circumvention agreement is used in the preliminary stages of a business transaction where the seller and buyer are brought into contact with each other by one or more intermediaries to fulfill the transaction.

A non-circumvention agreement ensures that the intermediaries who brought the buyer and seller together are not excluded from future negotiations, whilst a non-disclosure agreement is a contract by which a party receiving information from another party agrees to keep such information confidential.

By signing a non-circumvention agreement, the party receiving information agrees not to disclose, use or exploit confidential information, except in agreed circumstances or with the consent of the other party. It also specifies the duration for the confidentiality obligations to apply.

What is the purpose of a non-circumvention agreement?

The purpose of such agreement is to ensure that:

1. the intermediaries who brought the buyer and seller together are included in future negotiations and not by-passed without compensation for their involvement and
2. the information disclosed during the negotiations is not revealed to any external or unauthorized party. The (NCNDA) Non-Circumvention & Non-Disclosure Agreement is intended to protect the rights of occasional intermediaries in international trade.

Is non-circumvention the same as a non-compete agreement?

The main purpose of a non-circumvention agreement is to protect parties from being left out in a transaction without fair compensation whereas a non-compete agreement protects business owners by restricting their engagement in similar business activities during the length of the agreement.

What should a non-circumvention agreement include?

The important elements of a non-circumvention agreement are:

Information about the parties: this includes the name and address of the parties who are involved in business dealings, for sharing and receiving the information.

Intermediaries fee, roles, and responsibilities: The main purpose of intermediaries is to connect two different parties who want to do business together. The intermediaries should also be compensated for their effort.

The time period for confidentiality: this includes the time frame for maintaining confidentiality through NDA.

Definition of confidential information: an organization has to deal with large amounts of data. So, it is very crucial to distinguish those data from the level of importance. The data which needs to be confidential should be properly categorized in the NDA agreement.

Permitted Use of the Information: This clause explains the confidential information that can be used and the purpose of its use.

Jurisdiction: The jurisdiction to which the convention is subject in the event of a conflict and the law applicable in the event of a dispute.

Is a non-circumvention legally binding?

Yes, a non-circumvention agreement is a legally binding document that requires involved parties (parties doing business and intermediaries) to maintain confidentiality throughout the duration mentioned in the NDA agreement. 

What is the difference between a confidentiality agreement and a non-disclosure agreement?

A Confidentiality Agreement is used where a higher degree of confidentiality is required to protect the information or plans of any organization, whereas an NDA is needed to protect the routine information in any organization. It also includes clients and third-party information an organization is working with. In case of a non-circumvention non-disclosure agreement, the intermediaries are also required to maintain confidentiality throughout the duration of the business deal.

What happens if you break a non-compete in the UK?

A non-compete clause, allows you to take action against an ex-employee if they break it. You could take the employee to a court or look for an injunction to prevent them from breaking the restrictions. Similarly, you can also pursue damages as compensation when a non-compete is broken.

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Along with this document, make sure you see these other templates in our library:

• Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
• Website Privacy Policy
• Partnership Agreement
• SaaS Agreement
• Employment Contract

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