IT and telecoms in Wales

Acuity Law

Now headed by Declan Goodwin , following his arrival in January 2022,  Acuity Law‘s commercial and technology team has deep and broad experience advising on standalone contractual tech matters, as well as on M&A in the sector. Goodwin is well-versed at advising both well-established IT/tech-based corporates, and fast-growing start-ups, across a range of contractual agreements and on data protection concerns. Rachelle Sellek is also recommended, particularly as it relates to the drafting of outsourcing and software agreements. In addition to traditional fee-earning work, clients can choose to access several membership services, with the firm’s recently launched Acuity Data Assist a particularly compelling product, offering as it does a tailored audit to highlight any gaps in clients’ data compliance processes and to identify the key risks faced.


Practice head(s):

Declan Goodwin


Other key lawyers:

Rachelle Sellek; Phil Pugh; Natalie Jones; Adam Munn


Key clients

Creditsafe Group


Wealthify Limited


Computerworld Group


Guru Systems Limited


Dulas Limited


Portman Dental Care


Cardiff International Airport


Trusted Data Solutions Limited


Licentia Group


Divergent Technologies Ltd


SPG productions Ltd


Verdion Group


NorthRow


W2 Global Data


Work highlights


  • Advised Angharad Thomas and Arran Schlosberg on their sale of Divergent Technologies Ltd to US company, Proof Holdings, Inc.
  • Acted on the sale of Trusted Data Solutions’ legacy data management business to Kerv.
  • Advised NorthRow on the terms of a SaaS agreement between our client and a large international software company that specialises in employee payroll solutions.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Leveraging deep and longstanding contractual expertise among the team’s fee-earners, including in relation to outsourcing and advice on digitisation strategies, as well as drawing upon the efficiencies inherent in the firm’s consultancy arm Konexo, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP provides a very comprehensive service to UK and international clients across a range of tech/IT-related work. Under the guidance of the vastly experienced Matthew Gough, the firm is particularly adept at advising on work at the interface of financial services and technology, both in relation to standalone contractual work, as well as on due diligence pursuant to M&A in the sector (including for core fund client Pollen Street Capital). Eve England  is also a key member of the team, whose expertise within the fintech and retail space manifests itself in relation to transactional work, as well as standalone contractual advice – where clients also benefit from her consumer law knowledge, particularly in the context of online sales channels.


Practice head(s):

Matthew Gough


Other key lawyers:

Eve England; Joanna Hooper


Key clients

Aon Plc


Thames Water Utilities Limited


Pollen Street Capital Limited


Specialist Risk Group


Multiple UK financial institutions, including clearing banks, asset managers and investment businesses


Multiple retailers, manufacturers and leisure businesses (UK and international)


Work highlights


Geldards LLP

Led by the 'extremely knowledgeable' Justin HarringtonGeldards LLP has successfully developed a market-leading reputation advising clients on high-profile and complex IT-related commercial and procurement matters. Much of this work has a significant regulatory component, be it in relation to fintech mandates governed by FCA regulations or for public sector clients complying with Public Sector Regulations. Many of the mandates also include aspects of "big data", and the team members are all well-equipped to advise on attendant data protection issues.


Practice head(s):

Justin Harrington


Testimonials

‘Justin Harrington is extremely knowledgeable and an expert in his field. He is a brilliant negotiator and someone we fully trust to support our business.’

 

Work highlights


Harrison Clark Rickerbys

The IT and technology sector is a fertile source of work for Harrison Clark Rickerbys‘ Cardiff office, and in spite of only being present in the market for just over three years the team has amassed instructions from a number of major clients in the space, attracted to the firm due to its breadth of expertise. Team head Nicola McNeely  has been pivotal to the firm’s growing market recognition as a result of her ‘in depth knowledge of the commercial and legal issues arising around technology’, including cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). David Beynon  is also recommended and regularly handles IT/outsourcing contractual work for technology-focused service providers that offer disruptive solutions to established industry methods.


Practice head(s):

Nicola McNeely


Other key lawyers:

David Beynon; Nathan Evans; Wayne Beynon; Raj Pahuja; Stephen Thomas; Ana Kocmut-Saunder


Testimonials

‘I cannot speak highly enough about Nicola McNeely’s technical expertise in a number of complex fields and those of her team.’

Nicola McNeely is unique in the market as a female lawyer with an in depth knowledge of the commercial and legal issues arising around technology.’

 

Key clients

allpay Limited


sa.global


Insource Limited


QPQ Group


ITS Software Systems Limited


PureCyber Limited (former Wolfberry Cyber Security)


Digital Swiss Gold USA LLC


Open Medical Limited


Tessitura Network, Inc.


Plan 4 Productions Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising sa.global on a range of complex IT matters, including complex intragroup and third-party reselling terms; master services agreements (IT professional services); support and managed services; end user licence agreements; variations; data privacy (group); and collaboration agreements.
  • Advising QPQ Group Limited on complex legal contracting requirements and drafting and negotiating all of their contracts in the UK, Ireland, US and Switzerland.
  • Advising Tessitura Network, Inc. on a broad range of commercial, technology and licencing related matters.

Capital Law Limited

Spearheaded by Maria Coggins , Capital Law Limited‘s commercial team provides ‘high level legal advice’ to traditional financial services, cyber security specialists and public/third sector clients across a range of contractual matters, including on IT outsourcing, software development and licensing agreements. The team is also accomplished at handling data protection/privacy matters, both from a risk management perspective as well as providing guidance following any breaches – an area that the ‘talented’ Chris Coughlan has significant experience. In addition, Coughlan, who is praised for his ‘solutions focused advice’, has significant commercial contracts expertise for fintech and insurtech clients, as well as leading the firm’s relationship with the University of South Wales’ business incubator, which includes mentoring new technology businesses.


Practice head(s):

Maria Coggins


Other key lawyers:

Chris Coughlan; Rachel Hillier; Kellsey Logue; Carrie Gwyther


Testimonials

‘They provide high level legal advice and support to us on range of matters varying in size, complexity and dimensions.’

Their advice is easily understood, practical and solution-focused.’

Chris Coughlan is a talented lawyer with good technical and practical knowledge that has allowed us to receive solutions focused advice from him.’

Key clients

ITC Global Security Limited


Marshmallow Financial Services Limited


MMX Communications Limited


Smart Green Shipping Alliance Limited


Mediatel Limited


TXO Systems Limited


Veezu Holdings Limited


Sero Life Limited


Virtus Tech Limited


Yacooba Limited


Smart Solutions (Recruitment) Limited


The Gambling Commission


Extracover Limited t/a Zego


Venari Security Limited


Halo Hands Limited (T/A Mooply)


Inbenta Technologies Inc.


Work highlights


  • Providing ITC Global Security Limited with strategic advice in respect of their collaborations and growth plans.
  • Supporting the Sero Group with overall projects which includes to be one of the world’s first ‘true net zero carbon’ housing developments and the development of a technology platform, the ‘building passport’.
  • Advising TXO Systems Limited on a number of key contracts including key tenders with an Asian telecommunications provider for contracts in Australia and a large contract with a major European telecommunications contract.

Hugh James

Hugh James regularly handles IT-related contract work for UK-wide and international clients in the financial services, utilities, gaming, infrastructure and defence sectors. Team head Aled Walters  is at the forefront of much of this, including his ongoing representation of major gaming company, Novomatic, across a range of its commercial matters, including contractual drafting. On the contentious front, Tracey Singlehurst-Ward provides a ‘considered and balanced approach’ across a range of contractual disputes in the TMT sector.

Practice head(s):

Aled Walters


Other key lawyers:

Emily Powell; Tracey Singlehurst-Ward


Key clients

Computacenter UK plc


Rockwool


Novomatic Netherlands B.V.


Amutron/Solivted


Inspired Entertainment


Ogi Networks Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised by Inspired Entertainment to develop new precedent contracts.
  • Advised AP Wireless on a telecoms lease renewal.