Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are a common tool used in many industries to protect sensitive information. NDAs are contracts that forbid the disclosure of certain information to third parties. The question often arises whether the term “non-disclosure agreement” should be capitalized or not.

The short answer is that it depends on the context and the style guide being used. In most cases, non-disclosure agreement is not capitalized unless it is part of a proper noun or title.

According to the Associated Press Stylebook, non-disclosure agreement should not be capitalized unless it is part of a title or proper noun. This means that when referring to these types of agreements in general terms, such as “employees are often required to sign a non-disclosure agreement,” the term should not be capitalized.

However, if you are referring to a specific NDA, such as “the Non-Disclosure Agreement signed by John Smith and ABC Company,” then it should be capitalized.

The Chicago Manual of Style also follows this rule. It suggests that non-disclosure agreement should be written in lower case unless it is used as part of a title.

It`s worth noting that some style guides may have different rules when it comes to capitalizing non-disclosure agreement. For example, the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers suggests that the term should always be capitalized.

In conclusion, whether non-disclosure agreement should be capitalized depends on the context and the style guide being used. As a copy editor, it`s important to follow the guidelines set by the client or publication to ensure consistency and accuracy in your writing.