A Consultant usually reaches for a NDA when before sharing sensitive plans, files or credentials with a client or collaborator. This free template does one job well: it keeps shared information confidential before or during a working relationship. It is written for how consultants actually work — around a fixed-scope advisory engagement or diagnostic review, the familiar headache of the client acting on advice and blaming the consultant for the business outcome, and getting paid on a day rate or fixed engagement fee, invoiced in arrears or on milestones. Use a NDA rather than something looser, because as a substitute for a full service agreement — an NDA only covers confidentiality. Edit any line to fit your rates and terms, then send it for e-signature in a couple of minutes — no account for your client, and it is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
NDA — CONSULTANT
1. PARTIES
This NDA ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Provider"), a Consultant. Together they are the "Parties".
2. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
"Confidential Information" means any non-public information shared between the Parties, including for a Consultant the material tied to confidentiality of client information and clear limits on liability for advice given.
3. OBLIGATIONS
The Receiving Party will keep the Confidential Information secret, use it only for the agreed purpose, and not share it with anyone who does not need it.
4. EXCLUSIONS
This does not cover information that is already public, was already known, or is required to be disclosed by law.
5. TERM
The confidentiality obligations in this NDA last for ____________ years from the date signed, and survive the end of any working relationship.
6. RETURN OF MATERIALS
On request, the Receiving Party will return or destroy all Confidential Information and copies.
7. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
The Provider's total liability is limited to the fees paid. The Provider is not liable for business outcomes from acting on its advice, which addresses the client acting on advice and blaming the consultant for the business outcome.
9. MUTUAL CONFIDENTIALITY
Both Parties keep each other's information confidential and use it only for this engagement.
10. NO GUARANTEE OF RESULTS
Advice is given in good faith using professional skill. The Provider does not guarantee any particular business result.
11. EXPENSES
Pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed at cost. Typical expenses for a Consultant engagement are listed here: ____________.
SIGNATURES
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
Client: ______________________ Date: __________
Provider: ____________________ Date: __________This NDA ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Provider"), a Consultant. Together they are the "Parties".
"Confidential Information" means any non-public information shared between the Parties, including for a Consultant the material tied to confidentiality of client information and clear limits on liability for advice given.
The Receiving Party will keep the Confidential Information secret, use it only for the agreed purpose, and not share it with anyone who does not need it.
This does not cover information that is already public, was already known, or is required to be disclosed by law.
The confidentiality obligations in this NDA last for ____________ years from the date signed, and survive the end of any working relationship.
On request, the Receiving Party will return or destroy all Confidential Information and copies.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
The Provider's total liability is limited to the fees paid. The Provider is not liable for business outcomes from acting on its advice, which addresses the client acting on advice and blaming the consultant for the business outcome.
Both Parties keep each other's information confidential and use it only for this engagement.
Advice is given in good faith using professional skill. The Provider does not guarantee any particular business result.
Pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed at cost. Typical expenses for a Consultant engagement are listed here: ____________.
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
An NDA with no duration is hard to enforce. Set how many years the confidentiality survives after the Consultant work ends.
Tie confidential information to what really matters for consultants — confidentiality of client information and clear limits on liability for advice given. Over-broad NDAs get ignored by courts.
Keep the exclusions for public and legally required information, or the NDA overreaches and fails.
Before sharing anything sensitive — for consultants, that is usually material touching confidentiality of client information and clear limits on liability for advice given.
No. An NDA only covers confidentiality; pair it with a service agreement that covers the actual advice, analysis and a written recommendations report.
Yes. Once you and your client sign it — including with an electronic signature — this NDA is a binding contract under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS and similar laws in most countries.
Point them back to the scope. Extra work such as extra meetings, deliverables or implementation work beyond the diagnosis is quoted separately — that is exactly what the written terms are for.
Yes. Paste it into Signr, drop the signature fields on, and send a link. Your client signs from any device with no account, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
Paste the template into Signr, drop signature fields on, and send. Your client signs from any device, no account needed, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
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