[1][2] The reasons for adding such a disclaimer include confidentiality, copyright, contract formation, defamation, discrimination, harassment, privilege and viruses.
[3] A disclaimer may be added to mitigate the risk that a confidential email may be forwarded to a third-party recipient.
In the case of Baillie Estates Limited against Du Pont (UK) Limited, which was heard in the Outer House of Scotland, it was found that a contract was in effect, as attached to the relevant email, even though there was a standard disclaimer.
[13] If the recipient of a misdirected email is not bound to a confidentiality agreement, the inclusion of a disclaimer has no binding effect upon that person.
[11] The Register conducted a survey in 2001 and found that UBS Warburg had the longest disclaimer — 1,081 words.