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With ‘excellent knowledge’, Boyes Turner’s recent highlights include advising Cambio Healthcare on its software licensing to a NHS trust, and advising Guardian Media Group on online advertisements. Mark Blunden is ‘extremely commercial and professional’ and ‘knows the wider software landscape thoroughly’. Bill Gornall-King is recommended.

DMH Stallard LLP advised TriSystems on its software development with QBE and its new cloud computing service. It continues to assist the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) and Croydon Council. Frank Jennings is a ‘clear thinker’, and Tim Ashdown in London is also recommended.

David Tighe and Chris Shelley now lead the IT practice at Manches LLP, following Jonathan Oddy’s departure to Veale Wasbrough Vizards in August 2010. ‘Responsive and commercial’ senior associate Rustam Roy has also left recently, for Pitmans LLP.

Osborne Clarke delivers a ‘very good service’ and advises Xyratex regarding its open-source software. Russell Bowyer is advising new client Kerridge Commercial Systems in software licensing and development matters relating to its MBO. Mark Webber is ‘excellent’.

At Shoosmiths, Sebastian Price has experience in software licensing and development, IT outsourcing and IT systems acquisition. The team, which also includes Nick Fenner, advised Thomas Cook Group on its IT infrastructure programme, and assisted CompuCredit Corporation in a licensing case. Other clients include Ageas and Game Group.

Senior solicitor Sheliah Mackie is the key contact at Blake Lapthorn’s Southampton office. She can call upon the support of the London office to offer clients contentious and non-contentious IT advice. Clients include the University of Reading and Southampton Solent University. Geoffrey Sturgess retired from the firm in 2010.

Bond Pearce LLP ‘effortlessly’ provides advice to ‘exact specifications’, with Julian Hamblin at the helm of the IT practice in Southampton. The team recently advised Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance on an outsourcing matter, while other clients include Kingfisher and New Look.

Morgan Cole advises health bodies, including the London Strategic Health Authority, on IT issues. It is also advising a local school on the redevelopment of a software platform. Alison Patten-Hall and Bruce Potter are recommended.

Olswang provides ‘really practical and commercial ideas’. Microsoft and Yell remain key clients, and the team added Indian-owned consulting company Mastek to its roster in 2010. The ‘knowledgeable and practical’ Iain Stansfield is ‘reliable in a crisis’, and leads the ‘knowledgeable’ team.

asb law LLP is noted for its ‘comprehensive support and competitive pricing’, and advises clients including CBS Butler and the National Offender Management Services. The ‘unfailingly excellent’ Lyndsey Ratcliffe delivers ‘a high level of specialist advice’. Andrew Clinton is ‘very commercially minded’ and Richard Mumford is an ‘excellent strategist’.

Barlow Robbins LLP handles non-contentious IT work, and the arrival of former Mitsubishi in-house lawyer Brett Farrell in 2010 brings added expertise. The group advised Kalahari in the renegotiation of a licensing contract.

Clarke Willmott LLP is advising the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants on the outsourcing of IT functions. Paul Cox handles IT disputes, and associate Chidem Aliss is recommended. The team is appreciated for its ‘incredibly fast response times’.

John Warchus leads the IT team at Clarkslegal LLP, which recently advised new client Satyam Computer Services on an IT project dispute. It also assists Carillion and GTL Europe in IT matters.

Clyde & Co’s team reports an increase in IT work for insurance-sector clients; it is advising Admin Re on technology and outsourcing projects, and Unum on support and development for its rating engine. Mark Williamson leads the team, and newly promoted partner Alan Meneghetti has experience in IT outsourcing.

Liz Appleyard and Moira Myers handle technology matters at EMW, and advise on licensing agreements. The team won Redkite Financial Markets as a client in 2010, and continues to act for Signifo and Rightmove Group.

The ‘practical, commercial and pragmatic’ team at Stevens & Bolton LLP advised Monitise on software licensing and development agreements related to a joint venture. Beverley Whittaker ‘focuses on the important issues and gives practical advice’, and David Wilkinson is recommended for contentious IT work.

Known for its technology and outsourcing expertise, Taylor Walton LLP advised Fujifilm UK on an IT supply agreement and is currently advising the client on a further software licensing matter. ‘Clearly very knowledgeable’, Sam De Silva is ‘commercially aware’ and acts for Domestic & General, Telephonetics, and British Friendly. Mike Pettit is recommended.

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Legal Developments in the UK

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