4 Pump Court is ‘a true IT specialist set’ with ‘excellent IT disputes counsel at all levels’ covering the full breadth of technology and telecoms matters, including artificial intelligence, IT outsourcing matters such as syndicated services, software licensing and developing agreements. Alex Charlton KC acts for the claimant, leading Iain Munro in Topalsson GmbH v Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd, a TCC dispute in relation to a failed project implementation for visualisation sales systems, raising issues of unlawful termination, misrepresentation, and damages – Terence Bergin KC and Matthew Lavy KC appeared for the carmaker. Charlton KC also appeared for the claimant in IBM v LzLabs & Others, which includes claims for breach of licensing agreements and injunctions in relation to mainframe software, while Lavy and Gideon Shirazi are instructed as opposing counsel. Lynne McCafferty KC is appointed advisor on the independent advisory panel concerning the Post Office Horizon scandal, alongside Charlton KC and Benjamin Pilling KC.
IT and telecoms (infrastructure and contracts) in
London Bar
4 Pump Court
Testimonials
‘The clerks are excellent across the board. Billy Griffiths is a particular stand-out – he is incredibly responsive, really goes the extra mile to ensure good service, and I trust his recommendations.’
‘A very strong, well-resourced and commercially astute clerks’ room. Stewart Gibbs has been clerking in the technology and telecoms space for many years and has a deep and wide understanding of the market, as does Will Jackman who focusses on the intersection between commercial and technology disputes.’
‘High quality set with many excellent barristers doing top quality work.’
‘4 Pump Court is a very strong set in the IT and telecoms sector, with a breadth of talent across multiple levels of call. Its members are involved in many of the largest IT and telecoms cases to hit the courts and arbitration. Its members are known not only for core IT project disputes, but also cutting-edge technology issues such as crypto asset disputes and AI. Several of its members contributed to the book ‘The Law of Artificial Intelligence’.’
‘For IT matters, 4 Pump Court is one of the strongest and most impressive sets.’
‘4 Pump Court are at the top of their game for tech work, including crypto work. All barristers from there in the past 12 months have been exceptional. ‘
‘They are rightly perceived as the ‘go to’ set for technology disputes.’
Work highlights
8 New Square
Telecoms and IP disputes form the core focus of the barristers at 8 New Square which offers market leading expertise for cases involving FRAND rate determinations and liability of internet intermediaries. Recent trials to determine FRAND rates include Optis Cellular Technology LLC v Apple Retail in which Mark Chacksfield KC was instructed to act for the successful claimant. Jaani Riordan was instructed to act for the defendant in Nokia v OPPO, a multi-patent multi-trial action relating to mobile telecoms patents for 4G/5G functionality and FRAND rates. Riordan also appeared for Swiss/UK developers of a software defined mainframe platform in a claim defending allegations of breach of a customer agreement – the case raised novel issues concerning the interface between IT contract terms. Jonathan Hill acted for Hanger Holdings in a High Court Claim seeking to recover ownership of a domain name, in which the court determined for the first time in English law that a domain name is an item of property.
Testimonials
‘Excellent service. Could not be better.’
‘8 New Square are an excellent chambers who really go the extra mile on everything from fee arrangements to finding the right listing dates. Second to none.’
‘For telecoms cases, 8 New Square is the best set.’
Work highlights
Atkin Chambers
Building on its status as one of the pre-eminent construction sets, the members of Atkin Chambers are well-placed to act in disputes related to the systems underpinning large-scale facilities including airports, train networks, power stations and hospitals. David Streatfeild-James KC is acting for a supplier of renewable source electricity and energy solutions in a £40m termination dispute pertaining to the allegedly negligent design of a new billing and data management system raising issues of breach of contract, limitation of liability and possible fraudulent misrepresentation – a four-week trial is set for 2024. Patrick Clarke acts for the defendant in TCC proceedings concerned with a claim for £1m in connection with the engineering of an automated manufacturing process for fighter jet countermeasures. Peter Land, as a former engineer, is experienced in transport systems disputes, James Howells KC has an international practice in this space.
Testimonials
‘The Atkins clerk are second to none. They are consistently available, helpful and commercially sensible.’
‘We use Atkin almost daily. A great set.’
‘First port of call for technology work.’
Work highlights
11 South Square
Members at 11 South Square have extensive experience in high-level technology disputes and are frequently instructed to act in disputes at the intersection of IP and IT law. With a combination of decades of experience in the field and technical backgrounds, members are particularly well-placed to handle complex disputes acting for high-profile technology clients. Mark Vanhegan KC appeared for LzLabs in IBM UK Limited v LzLabs, a dispute relating to alleged breaches of agreements pertaining to mainframe computer systems and raising issues about software copyright and reverse engineering.
Testimonials
Set
‘Excellent’
‘One of the top IP chambers. Always on my list of ones to look to for high quality advocates.’
Work highlights
Devereux
Members of Devereux act for major communications and infrastructure providers, as well as smaller entities and international telecoms companies. Graham Read KC continues to act for major client BT, leading Rory Cochrane, in its proceedings in the Commercial Court seeking £16m of payments for electronic communications services which it alleges TalkTalk has withheld.
Testimonials
‘Glenn Billeness is excellent.’
‘Clerks have always been helpful.’
‘Excellent telecoms expertise.’
Work highlights
Three New Square
The barristers at Three New Square are regularly instructed to act on behalf of technology and software developers and telecoms clients, smartphone sector clients in particular. With highly technical expertise, Guy Burkill KC continues to have a busy IP and IT practice, often instructed in high-value telecoms patent infringement actions. Most recently acting for Apple in the long-running piece of litigation in relation to Optis’ patent portfolio and Apple’s failure to pay any royalties in respect of it. Thomas Hinchliffe KC acted as leading counsel for Optis in the fourth of the technical trials. Joe Delaney successfully represented Nokia in the first of a number of technical trials involving Nokia’s standard essential patents pertaining to 3G, 4G and 5G technology in Nokia v OnePlus & others. Douglas Campbell KC acted in a case relating to computer software and financial trading strategy in which breach of confidence, copyright and contract was alleged.
Testimonials
‘The service and the clerks are usually excellent and reliable.’
‘A good set of knowledgeable barristers who make themselves available to meet client needs.’
Work highlights
4 Pump Court
Testimonials
‘The clerks are excellent across the board. Billy Griffiths is a particular stand-out – he is incredibly responsive, really goes the extra mile to ensure good service, and I trust his recommendations.’
‘A very strong, well-resourced and commercially astute clerks’ room. Stewart Gibbs has been clerking in the technology and telecoms space for many years and has a deep and wide understanding of the market, as does Will Jackman who focusses on the intersection between commercial and technology disputes.’
‘High quality set with many excellent barristers doing top quality work.’
‘4 Pump Court is a very strong set in the IT and telecoms sector, with a breadth of talent across multiple levels of call. Its members are involved in many of the largest IT and telecoms cases to hit the courts and arbitration. Its members are known not only for core IT project disputes, but also cutting-edge technology issues such as crypto asset disputes and AI. Several of its members contributed to the book ‘The Law of Artificial Intelligence’.’
‘For IT matters, 4 Pump Court is one of the strongest and most impressive sets.’
‘4 Pump Court are at the top of their game for tech work, including crypto work. All barristers from there in the past 12 months have been exceptional. ‘
‘They are rightly perceived as the ‘go to’ set for technology disputes.’
Work highlights
8 New Square
Telecoms and IP disputes form the core focus of the barristers at 8 New Square which offers market leading expertise for cases involving FRAND rate determinations and liability of internet intermediaries. Recent trials to determine FRAND rates include Optis Cellular Technology LLC v Apple Retail in which Mark Chacksfield KC was instructed to act for the successful claimant. Jaani Riordan was instructed to act for the defendant in Nokia v OPPO, a multi-patent multi-trial action relating to mobile telecoms patents for 4G/5G functionality and FRAND rates. Riordan also appeared for Swiss/UK developers of a software defined mainframe platform in a claim defending allegations of breach of a customer agreement – the case raised novel issues concerning the interface between IT contract terms. Jonathan Hill acted for Hanger Holdings in a High Court Claim seeking to recover ownership of a domain name, in which the court determined for the first time in English law that a domain name is an item of property.
Testimonials
‘Excellent service. Could not be better.’
‘8 New Square are an excellent chambers who really go the extra mile on everything from fee arrangements to finding the right listing dates. Second to none.’
‘For telecoms cases, 8 New Square is the best set.’
Work highlights
Atkin Chambers
Building on its status as one of the pre-eminent construction sets, the members of Atkin Chambers are well-placed to act in disputes related to the systems underpinning large-scale facilities including airports, train networks, power stations and hospitals. David Streatfeild-James KC is acting for a supplier of renewable source electricity and energy solutions in a £40m termination dispute pertaining to the allegedly negligent design of a new billing and data management system raising issues of breach of contract, limitation of liability and possible fraudulent misrepresentation – a four-week trial is set for 2024. Patrick Clarke acts for the defendant in TCC proceedings concerned with a claim for £1m in connection with the engineering of an automated manufacturing process for fighter jet countermeasures. Peter Land, as a former engineer, is experienced in transport systems disputes, James Howells KC has an international practice in this space.
Testimonials
‘The Atkins clerk are second to none. They are consistently available, helpful and commercially sensible.’
‘We use Atkin almost daily. A great set.’
‘First port of call for technology work.’
Work highlights
11 South Square
Members at 11 South Square have extensive experience in high-level technology disputes and are frequently instructed to act in disputes at the intersection of IP and IT law. With a combination of decades of experience in the field and technical backgrounds, members are particularly well-placed to handle complex disputes acting for high-profile technology clients. Mark Vanhegan KC appeared for LzLabs in IBM UK Limited v LzLabs, a dispute relating to alleged breaches of agreements pertaining to mainframe computer systems and raising issues about software copyright and reverse engineering.
Testimonials
Set
‘Excellent’
‘One of the top IP chambers. Always on my list of ones to look to for high quality advocates.’
Work highlights
Devereux
Members of Devereux act for major communications and infrastructure providers, as well as smaller entities and international telecoms companies. Graham Read KC continues to act for major client BT, leading Rory Cochrane, in its proceedings in the Commercial Court seeking £16m of payments for electronic communications services which it alleges TalkTalk has withheld.
Testimonials
‘Glenn Billeness is excellent.’
‘Clerks have always been helpful.’
‘Excellent telecoms expertise.’
Work highlights
Three New Square
The barristers at Three New Square are regularly instructed to act on behalf of technology and software developers and telecoms clients, smartphone sector clients in particular. With highly technical expertise, Guy Burkill KC continues to have a busy IP and IT practice, often instructed in high-value telecoms patent infringement actions. Most recently acting for Apple in the long-running piece of litigation in relation to Optis’ patent portfolio and Apple’s failure to pay any royalties in respect of it. Thomas Hinchliffe KC acted as leading counsel for Optis in the fourth of the technical trials. Joe Delaney successfully represented Nokia in the first of a number of technical trials involving Nokia’s standard essential patents pertaining to 3G, 4G and 5G technology in Nokia v OnePlus & others. Douglas Campbell KC acted in a case relating to computer software and financial trading strategy in which breach of confidence, copyright and contract was alleged.
Testimonials
‘The service and the clerks are usually excellent and reliable.’
‘A good set of knowledgeable barristers who make themselves available to meet client needs.’