Advising on all aspects of software-related matters, including licensing and exploitation, is a cornerstone of the practice at Mincoffs Solicitors LLP. Other key strengths include assisting digital agencies, providing support to those running businesses in the cloud, and handling complex data protection and privacy issues. The firm has recently seen significant expansion in its local and national client base; the established team, which is headed up by Antony Hall and also includes recommended practitioners David Cox and Anna Allen, was recently strengthened by the arrival of Hannah Nagel (formerly of DWF).
IT and telecoms in North
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
Practice head(s):
Antony Hall
Other key lawyers:
David Cox; Anna Allen; Hannah Nagel
Testimonials
‘Out of the box thinkers, flexible, fixed cost, comprehensive advice – these are a few of the traits that Mincoffs have. I use them for all our affairs.’
‘As a start-up we occasionally struggle to get quality service from suppliers due to our need to keep fees low and always ask a million questions, being new to business regulations and law. The entire team at Mincoffs has been fantastic to work with from day one and also extremely enthusiastic and supportive of our business.’
‘Anna Allen is exceptional in her knowledge, making sure that our website is not only compliant but that we go above and beyond the requirements to build trust with our users. Anna also embedded new legislation into our policies ahead of time to save us revising our policies at a later date.’
‘The team is extremely flexible and accommodating, always very responsive and patient with our questions and needs. They are highly approachable and friendly in helping us navigate complex issues and challenges, really going above and beyond on any task. I am highly impressed by their knowledge across multiple areas and by their drive to analyse issues from all angles regardless of how long it takes them.’
‘Antony Hall communicated with us exceptionally. There was a key focus on what we were looking to achieve, and how to best work with us as individuals. I found it exceptional that it was not just about delivering the end product, but about understanding what it is about the problem we’re trying to solve which will help us achieve our business objectives. This gives me confidence that the commercial terms produced are empowering the business.’
‘What makes this practice unique is its focus on start-ups and scaleups. Their innate knowledge of how to support my business needs at our specific stage of growth is incredibly insightful. As a company that works with young people, I can say their knowledge of data and privacy with regards to young people is exceptional. I’ve really valued their partnership whilst dealing with some very complex issues around GDPR and safeguarding.’
‘Having worked with other practices before, I was impressed with their ability to understand our business objectives, and create terms to fit these. These were also relayed back to us in a way we could understand. I was impressed with the level of communication involved, and the way that Mincoffs worked to understand our needs and challenges before developing the solution.’
‘Their personable nature is probably the main strength. Antony Hall specifically has always been hands on, and able to co-ordinate any of our needs internally and externally.’
Key clients
AMPLYFI Limited
Coatsink Software Limited
IT Professional Services Limited
Perfect Image Limited
Wubbleyou Limited
Goodboy Digital Limited
OWA Digital Limited
Nolii Limited
Home Group Limited
SoPost Limited
Bede Gaming Limited
BotsandUs Limited
Realsafe Technologies Limited
ART Health Solutions
Guardian Angel Network Limited
Upskill Global Limited
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
University of Sunderland
Work highlights
- Supporting Amplyfi with all aspects of its growth, including funding rounds and various high profile business-to-business software licensing deals, as well as advising on various integrations with major global data providers.
- Acting on multiple instructions for IT Professional Services, including advising on infrastructure maintenance and support agreements with: one of the UK’s largest housing associations; one of Britain’s largest care home operators; a leading provider of environmental compliance, recycling and sustainability solutions; a leading UK financial services provider; and UK government departments.
- Providing ongoing commercial contractual support to Goodboy Digital on a retainer basis, including advising on various contractual negotiations with Goodboy’s clients and assisting the team in developing their own in-house legal documentation on matters such as information security and data protection.
Muckle LLP
Muckle LLP fields a core group of highly specialised practitioners, who are noted for their expertise in various areas, including fintech, commercial contracts and information security. 'Smooth operator' George Festing is widely known for his contentious IT practice, while Alex Craig brings her extensive knowledge of technology, data and intellectual property issues to the team. The firm also continues to advise numerous tech businesses on various corporate matters, including M&A transactions and investments, and remains sought after for its knowledge of GDPR compliance and technology development programmes.
Practice head(s):
Alex Craig
Other key lawyers:
George Festing
Testimonials
‘Alex Craig has consistently and authentically taken a real interest in the value that her team can bring to our business. They have been dependable, responsive and flexible when needed, quickly bringing the appropriate people and skills to conversations and delivering advice, guidance and keeping promises.’
‘George Festing is very switched on, both commercially and from a legal standpoint. I would describe him as a “smooth operator”. He gets on very well with clients on a personal level, giving them a lot of confidence that they are getting a good and cost-effective service.’
‘The team at Muckle are pragmatic, thorough and very professional.’
‘All the individuals I have worked with at Muckle are extremely professional and competent. They explain complex legal issues in layman’s terms extremely well and are not arrogant.’
‘High speed and efficiency of service delivery. Good knowledge sharing resources. Appropriate use of technology. Up to date legal guidance, particularly around the impact of Brexit/Covid.’
‘Alex Craig provides sound and relevant advice and, most importantly for me, is able to challenge thinking and ensure the advice provided is relevant to the desired business outcome.’
‘Muckle are our trusted partner – they have a breadth and depth of legal offerings, an approachable, knowledgeable team and importantly, are there when needed. They are responsive to our needs, have anticipated challenges and ensure contact is meaningful and appropriate rather than constant and unsolicited.’
‘A commercial and cost-effective team which punches above its weight and can hold its own against larger firms.’
Key clients
Mandata Management and Data Services Limited
Leo Vegas Gaming plc
The Algorithm People Limited
Arbor Education Limited
Zytronic Displays Limited
Beyond Digital Solutions
City Football
Waterstons Limited
MRI Software
Atlas Cloud
Work highlights
- Advised Mandata Group on its acquisition of the business and assets of the online freight exchange, Return Loads.
- Advised Okkulo on the development and commercialisation of an innovative science-based indoor ball-sports training apparatus.
- Acting for LeoVegas Gaming on current active litigation relating to contracts, GDPR and trade marks.
Ward Hadaway LLP
Its work on behalf of IT companies in different jurisdictions, including continental Europe and the US, gives the team at Ward Hadaway a broad perspective which it can leverage when advising technology providers and customers from both the public and private sectors. Privacy issues are one of the core strengths of the practice, and the group’s ‘in-depth knowledge of all legal issues, in particular with regards to data protection and GDPR makes them unique‘; Judy Baker is the key contact for this type of work. Other areas of expertise include IT procurement and outsourcing projects, which are handled chiefly by Alex Shiel, and contentious work, which Tim Toomey leads on. Colin Hewitt heads up the offering.
Practice head(s):
Colin Hewitt
Other key lawyers:
Judy Baker; Alex Shiel; Tim Toomey
Testimonials
‘Their in-depth knowledge of all legal issues, in particular with regards to data protection and GDPR makes them unique. I have full confidence and faith in all the advice I receive from them.’
‘Judy Baker has exceptional knowledge on GDPR and issues around GDPR. She is excellent at communicating everything in layman’s terms when required. I was also particularly impressed with how quickly she grasped how the technological side of our company works and how GDPR could impact that. She is also excellent at making her point when discussing any GDPR issues or disputes with our clients.’
‘We work with Tim Toomey regularly and he is responsive, commercial and provides good value for money and expertise in IT and IP claims.’
‘Judy Baker provided an ongoing update about the ongoing impact of Schrems II, which was very helpful.’
Key clients
A Share & Sons Ltd t/a ScS
ACT! Software Ltd
Bannatyne Fitness Ltd
CISV International Ltd
City Electrical Factors Ltd
Communisis UK Ltd
Greggs
Isagenix International LLC
NBS Enterprises Ltd
North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Northern Powergrid
One on One Sherpa LLC dba Sherpa
Performance Horizon Group t/a Partnerize
Sage Global Services Ltd
Technology Services Ltd t/a TSG
The eaga Trust
True Potential Group Ltd
University of Newcastle
Work highlights
- Provided data protection support to the Sage Global Data privacy counsel and privacy office.
- Provided support to the Partnerize data protection compliance function.
- Updated Bannatyne Fitness’ data protection policies in light of Covid-19 and the end of the transition period.
Weightmans
Corporate clients, particularly those with a nexus to technology, regularly instruct the team at Weightmans to advise on the commercialisation of their technology and intellectual property, including securing the external funding required to do so. Venture capitalists and accelerator programmes with a technology focus also make up a key part of the firm's client base. The firm is increasingly gaining recognition for its contentious expertise, and has recent experience of litigating large and high-profile data theft cases. Paul Wigham and Duncan Reid, both of whom have extensive experience of transactional work, are the key contacts.
Practice head(s):
Paul Wigham; Duncan Reid
Key clients
QuantumDX Holdings Limited
Altitude Angel Limited
Open University
Fairstone Financial Management Limited
Maven Capital Partners UK LLP
Northstar Ventures Limited
DSW Ventures Limited
Accelerated Digital Ventures Limited
Caspian Learning Limited
Datum 360 Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Quantum DX Holdings on a number of very significant contractual matters concerning the roll-out of its diagnostic testing kit in relation to the Covid pandemic.
- Assisted the shareholders of London-based technology company, Pixology, with the sale of their shares in the company to US multinational software company Oracle Corporation.
- Advised the sellers on the disposal of Cracking Logistics, a provider of client-facing digital freight execution platforms to some of the world’s biggest shipping companies, to Descartes Systems UK.
Sintons LLP
The client base at Sintons LLP largely comprises businesses for whom technology is critical to their operations. The team is known for providing 'highly knowledgeable' commercial advice to such companies, and for assisting with investments and significant M&A deals in the technology sector. The firm is able to leverage its significant expertise in healthcare matters to offer a particularly valued health-tech service, with senior associate Chloe Dinsdale standing out in this area. Other recommended practitioners include Karen Simms, who has extensive experience advising on transactions and contracts, and senior associate Pippa Aitken.
Practice head(s):
Karen Simms
Other key lawyers:
Pippa Aitken; Chloe Dinsdale
Testimonials
‘The team provides simple access to highly knowledgeable legal help.’
‘Chloe Dinsdale has been a standout help for us. Always provides a quick response and finds the most pragmatic and sensible solutions without exposing us. Very easy to work with and understands our complex challenges.’
Key clients
Shoptimised Limited
Sub 10 Limited
Kani Payments Limited
Video Enhanced Observation Ltd
MODS Management Limited
Venator Materials Plc
Sapphire Technologies Limited
The Academic Health Science Network for North East and North Cumbria
CareIQ Limited
Advanced Electric Machines Group Ltd
Work highlights
- Assisted Medway NHSFT with the procurement of a new electronic patient records system.
- Advised shareholders on the disposal of 40% of the issued share capital of MODS MAdvanagement to a Japanese PLC.
- Advising innovative health tech start-up, CareIQ, on the launch of its platform.
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Corporate specialist Caroline Churchill heads up the offering at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, and brings her commercial expertise to bear on a wide variety of non-contentious technology and data protection work, including advising on a wide range of contracts issues and privacy law matters. Another core team member is James Cooper, who has experience advising on a broad range of IT and technology projects. The firm focuses particularly on notable clients from the financial services, manufacturing, transport and retail sectors.
Practice head(s):
Caroline Churchill
Other key lawyers:
James Cooper
Testimonials
‘We have had various legal requirements which WBD have been able to handle in a professional and timely fashion on each occasion. They have been able to offer sound and practical advice, not sitting on the fence.’
‘The partner I deal with has taken her time to understand our business, the way we operate, what we are trying to achieve and how she can ensure that her advice and documents meet these needs. Often I haven’t thought of the complexities that she has, and this has been through her truly understanding the matter at hand.’
Key clients
Home Leisure Direct Ltd
Work highlights
- Assisted Home Leisure Direct with the deployment of its contactless payment devices in its amusement machines to facilitate taking online payment.