Breach of Confidentiality

Q: What constitutes a breach of confidentiality?

A breach happens when sensitive information is used or disclosed without permission. This could include an employee’s skill or knowledge, client information, trade secrets, and more. Breaches often arise if an employee misuses data, passes information to a competitor, or acts outside the terms of their contract.

Q: How can I protect my business?

You can safeguard your organisation by having clear confidentiality clauses and restrictive covenants in employment contracts, policies that explain how information must be handled, and training for staff.

Q: What should I do if I face a breach of confidentiality?

Take urgent action to limit the damage. That may include initially warning the employee and seeking their undertaking not to continue leaking the information. Then, you can apply to the court for an injunction to stop further disclosure, investigate how the violation occurred, and pursue damages if your business has suffered loss.

Q: How can Irwin Mitchell help?

Our lawyers act swiftly to secure sensitive business information. We draft enforceable confidentiality clauses, advise on urgent court orders, and guide you through tribunal or court hearings. By combining legal expertise with hands-on advice, we help you respond effectively and protect your reputation.

Confidential information is often at the heart of your business. From financial loss to reputational damage, consequences can be severe when employees disclose sensitive data without authority.

Speak to an Expert

Legal advice for confidentiality breaches

Our lawyers act for employers across all sectors, helping you prevent breaches and take decisive action when they occur.

From drafting watertight contracts to securing injunctions or defending tribunal hearings, we combine legal expertise with commercial understanding to protect your position and limit disruption.

We can support with:

Drafting and enforcing confidentiality clauses in contracts
Responding quickly to suspected or actual breaches
Managing disputes over misuse of client data or trade secrets
Securing orders to prevent further disclosure
Defending employment tribunal claims linked to confidentiality
Negotiating settlement agreements to resolve disputes.

You will also work with long-term legal partners who understand the risks to your industry and provide tailored strategies to prevent escalation before it impacts your wider operations.

Get in touch

Speak to a Legal Partner

Our team support you to navigate complexity, seize opportunity and move forward with legal clarity.

Fergal Dowling

Managing Partner - Business Services Group

Find out more

Meet our experts

Fergal Dowling

Managing Partner - Business Services Group

Find out more

Contact our Specialists

Get strategic advice from a team that knows how to protect and grow your business. Please complete our enquiry form and one of our experts will contact you by the next working day.

Alternatively, you can call us now.

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Making an enquiry

We have several ways you can contact us, either by completing our online contact form, by phone, or using our live chat. If you start your journey online, here are the first steps to working together.

Complete our online form
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On the call our experts will ask you a few more questions to make sure we connect you with the right legal advice from our team.
We arrange a full appointment
Your next step is an in-depth appointment with a specialist solicitor to discuss how we could advise you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We help employers prevent and respond to confidentiality breaches. Here are answers to your common questions:

What constitutes a breach of confidentiality?

How can I protect my business?

What should I do if I face a breach of confidentiality?

How can Irwin Mitchell help?

Our commitment to you

Our experts always start by listening, so we understand what matters most from day one.

01
Clear legal guidance
You will always get straightforward, honest advice, with regular updates to keep you clear on the way forward.
02
Specialist knowledge
A wide-ranging team of trusted specialists who understand what it takes to protect your future, your family or your business.
03
Your needs first
Whether you’re navigating complex personal situations or business decisions, we take the time to understand your world and what’s at stake.

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