Zelda Perkins broke her NDA with Harvey Weinstein in 2017, and ignited a global movement. A bold act that helped drive a global movement for change. Now, Zelda Perkins on NDA reform is more than a story of the past. It’s about a real opportunity to change the law.
Earlier this year, Zelda received a standing ovation at Crafty Fest 2025. In this episode (Part Two of our conversation) she reacts to a major development: the UK government has proposed legislation that could reshape how NDAs are used.
Now, Zelda Perkins’ experience is more than a story of the past.
The UK government has proposed an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill that could render certain NDA clauses unenforceable, particularly those that stop people from speaking out about harassment or discrimination.
This legal reform would apply not just to employees, but also to freelancers, interns, and anyone providing services. It could also reshape how organisations handle internal complaints.
“It completely floored me. It went way beyond anything I had dared to ask for.”
Why Zelda’s perspective on NDA reform matters to in house legal
This isn’t just about legislation. It’s a call to the legal profession to rethink its role in protecting fairness, not just precedent. Zelda challenges lawyers to reflect on power, ethics, and responsibility.
“Your job as lawyers is to work out how to make this more fair, how to make this more ethical.”
Zelda Perkins: voice of a movement
Zelda doesn’t tell her story for praise. She speaks for those who’ve stood up, and those who still feel silenced.
“I can smell freedom now. This is for the people who took risks and stood up to power.”
The full episode is available now. You can listen to Part One here if you missed it, and visit Can’t Buy My Silence to learn more or get involved in the campaign.
Conversations like this one are just the start. Crafty Counsel is home to a global community of in-house legal professionals who are rethinking what our profession can be. Join for free to access the Community Hub App, connect with peers, and be part of the change.