Victims and direct witnesses of crime who sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) will no longer be gagged from speaking out under new plans (Monday 20 October).
Government clampdown on misuse of NDAs as "gagging orders" to conceal crime.
Change will ensure victims can talk about criminal conduct to anyone, for any purpose, without fear of breaching an NDA.
Part of the Government's Plan for Change to restore confidence in the justice system, stand up for victims, and help halve violence against women and girls.
Victims and direct witnesses of crime who sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) will no longer be gagged from speaking out, under new plans announced today (Monday 20 October).
An amendment to the Victims and Courts Bill will ensure NDAs can no longer legally be used to silence victims or conceal criminal behaviour.
The change will guarantee victims and direct witnesses of crime - whether inside or outside the workplace - can share their experiences with anyone, for any purpose, including family, friends, employers and journalists, without fear of legal repercussions.
The amendment will help all victims of crime, and is part of the Plan for Change to halve violence against women and girls and restore faith in the justice system.
Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Minister Alex Davies-Jones said:
NDAs are too often used to sweep criminality under the carpet - trapping victims into silence and denying them justice. This must end.
These changes will free victims from the murky world of confidentiality clauses, meaning they can speak to whoever they like about their experience without threat of legal action, helping them move on and rebuild their lives.
The move builds on existing protections in the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, which clarify that NDAs cannot stop victims from reporting crimes to the police and ensure that NDAs cannot stop victims from accessing legal advice and other support, including from victim support services.
The change aligns with reforms in the Employment Rights Bill, which will void NDAs designed to silence workers about work-related harassment or discrimination.
Zelda Perkins - Founder, Can't Buy My Silence UK, said:
This is a hugely welcome move from the Government which will underpin the integrity of law and protect victims. This sends a clear message to perpetrators that the time of hiding their criminal behaviour is over, and that this Government is serious about keeping the British Justice System a world leader in human rights.
More widely, the Victims and Courts Bill seeks to improve victims' experience of the criminal justice system by giving them confidence about the routes available to receive information about their offender's release, and strengthening the powers of the Victims' Commissioner to better hold the justice system to account.
