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Comparison

NDA Solicitor Cost UK vs NDASafe

A UK solicitor typically charges £150–£350 to draft a simple NDA. NDASafe self-help templates cost £29. Here is an honest look at what you get for each — and when one is the better choice.

Honest comparisonPrices & details last reviewed 31 August 2026NDASafe is a self-help template service, not a firm of solicitors
Short version

For a standard commercial, freelancer, employee, or investor NDA, a legally reviewed self-help template at £29 is a practical and affordable option. A solicitor (typically £150–£350) adds genuine value when the deal is high-value or high-risk, when the other side has legal representation, or when you need specific advice on enforceability. NDASafe is not a law firm — our templates are self-help documents, not legal advice.

UK SolicitorNDASafe (£29)
Typical cost£150–£350 for a simple NDA (fixed fee); complex or bespoke drafting can exceed £500£29 for one template; £79 for all eight — one-time, no subscription
Turnaround2–5 working days typical; can vary by firm workload and complexityInstant download after purchase; editable Word document in seconds
Output formatBespoke drafted document tailored to your specific situationLegally reviewed self-help template — you adapt it to your circumstances
Advice includedYes — a solicitor can advise on enforceability, risk, and your specific factsNo — NDASafe is a self-help template service, not a firm of solicitors; templates are not legal advice
UK law specificityDrafted for your exact jurisdiction and facts by a qualified UK solicitorTemplates drafted for England and Wales; covers the main UK statutory carve-outs (PIDA, ERA, Trade Secrets Regs 2018)
Editable afterwardsDepends on the firm — some provide Word, some provide PDF onlyAlways delivered as an editable .docx; yours to adapt and reuse
Suitability for complex dealsBest for high-value, high-risk, or legally complex situationsSuited to standard commercial, employment, freelancer, and investor NDA situations
ReusableThe document is a one-off; a new engagement typically incurs a new feeBuy once, reuse across as many signings as you need — the template is yours

When a solicitor is the right choice

A solicitor drafts a document specifically for your situation, advises you on the risks, and is accountable to you as a regulated professional. That professional relationship matters in certain situations:

  • The deal or the information being protected is high-value — a significant licensing agreement, acquisition discussions, or commercially sensitive IP.
  • The other side is represented by solicitors and the NDA is likely to be negotiated rather than signed as-is.
  • The situation involves non-standard terms: exclusivity, non-compete clauses, international jurisdiction, or unusual carve-outs.
  • You have questions about whether specific obligations are enforceable in your circumstances — that is legal advice, and a solicitor is the right person to give it.
  • The consequences of a breach would be severe enough to justify the upfront cost of a bespoke document.

When a self-help template is a practical starting point

For everyday NDA situations — a startup exploring a partnership, a freelancer protecting client code, an employee starting a new role, an investor introduction — the core requirements are well understood and largely standard. A reviewed template that includes the mandatory UK statutory provisions covers the ground for most standard situations.

  • Both sides agree to sign a standard mutual or one-way NDA without heavy negotiation.
  • The confidential information is commercially important but not extraordinarily valuable or novel.
  • The relationship is domestic UK and governed by English law.
  • You want a Word document you can adapt and reuse across multiple engagements for one upfront cost.

NDASafe is not a firm of solicitors. Our templates are self-help documents — legally reviewed against current England and Wales law, but not tailored to your specific facts and not a substitute for legal advice. If you have any doubt about whether a template is appropriate for your situation, the right answer is to consult a solicitor.

What the NDASafe templates include

Each template is drafted for England and Wales and reviewed against current UK legislation. Key statutory provisions included as standard:

  • Whistleblowing carve-out in the Employee NDA (Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 / ERA 1996 s.43B) — a legal requirement for employee NDAs in the UK.
  • Trade Secrets exclusions under the Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018.
  • VAPA 2024 / Victims and Prisoners Act considerations in relevant templates.
  • IR35-aware language in the Freelancer NDA.
  • Non-circumvention clause in the Investor NDA.

Which NDA do you need?

Mutual NDA

Both sides share confidential information: partnerships, joint ventures, M&A.

One-Way NDA, Sharing

You are sharing information and want it protected.

One-Way NDA, Receiving

You have been handed a one-sided NDA and want a UK counter-proposal.

Employee NDA

Staff who will handle confidential material, with the mandatory whistleblowing carve-out.

Freelancer / Contractor NDA

A contractor who will see the inside of your business, with IR35-aware language.

Investor NDA

Sharing your plans or financials with a potential investor, with non-circumvention.

UK NDA templates from £29

Eight specific templates drafted for England and Wales — mutual, one-way, employee, freelancer, investor, and more. One-time purchase, editable Word document, instant download. Not legal advice; self-help documents you adapt to your situation.

Browse NDA templates & pricing →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a solicitor charge to draft an NDA in the UK?

Most UK solicitors charge a fixed fee of £150–£350 for a straightforward non-disclosure agreement. Complex or heavily negotiated NDAs — for example those involving IP assignments or multi-party deals — can exceed £500. The fee typically covers drafting only; if you need the solicitor to negotiate terms on your behalf that is usually charged separately by the hour (£200–£400 per hour at many commercial firms).

Do I need a solicitor for an NDA in the UK?

Not always. For standard commercial, employment, freelancer, or investor situations involving everyday confidential information, a legally reviewed self-help template is a practical and cost-effective starting point. You should consider a solicitor if: the deal is high-value or high-risk, the other side is represented by lawyers, the NDA involves unusual IP or jurisdiction issues, or you need advice on whether a particular clause is enforceable in your specific circumstances. NDASafe is a self-help template service — we are not solicitors and our templates are not legal advice.

Is an NDASafe template as good as one drafted by a solicitor?

They serve different purposes. A solicitor drafts a bespoke document for your exact situation and can advise you on it. An NDASafe template is a legally reviewed standard-form self-help document that you adapt to your circumstances. For the majority of straightforward commercial NDAs — startup meetings, freelance engagements, investor introductions, staff confidentiality — a reviewed template is a workable and affordable option. For complex, high-value, or contentious situations, a solicitor adds value that a template cannot replicate.

What does 'legally reviewed' mean for NDASafe templates?

NDASafe templates have been reviewed against current England and Wales law to ensure mandatory statutory requirements are included — for example, the whistleblowing carve-out required in employee NDAs under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, and the Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018 exclusions. The review date is shown on every product page. We are not a firm of solicitors and our templates are not legal advice; they are self-help documents you adapt and use at your own discretion.

What is the NDA solicitor cost for a startup or small business?

Small business and startup NDA costs from UK solicitors typically fall in the £150–£250 range for a simple mutual NDA through a fixed-fee commercial law service. Online legal platforms (such as Rocket Lawyer or LegalZoom) often offer subscription-based access. For occasional use, a one-time self-help template at £29 is considerably cheaper and quicker, provided the situation is straightforward.

Which NDA template do I actually need?

If both sides share information, use the Mutual NDA. If only you are sharing, use the One-Way (disclosing party). For a member of staff, use the Employee NDA — it includes the mandatory UK whistleblowing carve-out. For a contractor, use the Freelancer NDA. For investor conversations, use the Investor NDA with non-circumvention. The bundle (£79) gives you all eight; worth it if you expect to use more than two.