Known for its ‘extensive knowledge of the industry’, the Newcastle-based team at Mincoffs Solicitors LLP not only supports important technology companies in the region but also has a growing national client base. The practice advises on all software-related issues that affect not only established companies but also start-ups. A particular sector strength lies in video games and interactive media. Antony Hall leads the team with expertise in various issues related to running businesses in the cloud. Though David Cox left the firm in March 2021 and entered private practice, Hannah Nagel, who joined the team in September 2021 from DWF, now plays a key supporting role.
IT and telecoms in North
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
Practice head(s):
Antony Hall
Other key lawyers:
Hannah Nagel; Hannah Flowers
Testimonials
‘They offer the full range of services that a digital business needs to succeed. The team within the digital sector have extensive knowledge of the industry as a result of many of their solicitors working for tech organisations previously. This in turn gives their clients the confidence.’
‘They care about the digital and tech sector. They support organisations in order to allow them to make the most of their potential opportunities. They want the best for all involved.’
‘The firm has a broad skill set, so can assist with investment, acquisition, mergers, intellectual property and commercial law.’
‘Straight talking and practical in the application of the law balanced against commercial requirements.’
‘Good understanding of software industry.’
‘Antony Hall has supported us for some years and has always provided great service and advice. Hannah Flowers has worked with us recently on software licensing and did an excellent job.’
Key clients
Coatsink Software Limited
Modern Milkman Limited
AMPLYFI Limited
Xbim Limited
IT Professional Services Limited
Erudus Limited
ART Health Limited
Innstay Limited
Unified Software Limited
Soda IT Support Limited
Tristram and Milton
Goodboy Digital Limited
Big Thursday Creative
Work highlights
- Advised Coatsink Software Limited on a licensing deal with Universal Studios LLC relating to the development and publication of a video game titled Jurassic World Aftermath on the Oculus platform. The deal involved complex licensing arrangements with multiple stakeholders, including Amblin Studios, and involved securing performing rights from members of the cast of the original film franchise.
- Instructed by The Modern Milkman, a Manchester based start-up business offering a digitalised version of traditional environment friendly milk round and doorstep grocery services, to prepare contractual documentation to document the client’s software and data privacy arrangements in relation to the delivery service partner, portal and driver app. Such arrangements involved preparing a driver app privacy notice, cookie policy, EULA and platform terms.
- Advised Xbim Limited on a new agreement to reflect their OpenBIM platform service in the cloud. The work involved creating a new master services agreement suited for enterprise clients together with appropriate service level arrangements and information security provisions that would be suitable for enterprise clients hosting data in the cloud.
Muckle LLP
The practice at Muckle LLP advises on a wide range of issues, from corporate structuring for tech businesses, disputed IT arrangements to commercializing technology ideas and advancements such as platforms or mobile applications. Alex Craig leads the Newcastle-based practice, and has broad expertise in data, IP and tech law, with particular know-how on data protection. The experienced George Festing handles contentious matters while Matthew Walsh and Adam Rayner support tech clients with M&A transactions and investments.
Practice head(s):
Alex Craig
Other key lawyers:
George Festing; Matthew Walsh; Adam Rayner
Key clients
The Algorithm People Limited
Arbor Education Partners Limited
Waterstons Limited
Mandata Group
Thunderful Group
Great North Air Ambulance Service
ISG Holdings Limited
TruStack Limited
Everflow Holdings Limited
Sanlam Private Investments (UK) Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the selling shareholders on the sale of Mandata Group Limited to Tenzing private equity.
- Acting for an international investment business, Sanlam Private Investments (UK) Limited, in defending a high court claim brought by a former employee alleging breaches of data protection legislation, confidence and privacy.
Ward Hadaway LLP
Ward Hadaway LLP’s team in Newcastle acts for both technology providers as well as public and private sector customers in technology agreements. In addition, they support clients with outsourcing, data protection and privacy issues, as well as representing them in IT disputes. Commercial disputes lawyer Tim Toomey is the key contact for the contentious side of the practice. Heading up the commercial practice is Damien Charlton . Judy Baker is praised for her ‘excellent in depth knowledge of data protection law’ while IT and IP expert Alex Shiel is highly experienced in the space.
Practice head(s):
Damien Charlton
Other key lawyers:
Tim Toomey; Judy Baker; Alex Shiel
Testimonials
‘Judy Baker is extremely professional yet approachable, quick to respond to queries and always provides clear, thorough advice.’
‘I mainly work with Judy Baker who has excellent in depth knowledge of data protection law and is also extremely organised and methodical in her approach to responding to queries and issues. Her advice is always very thorough and well thought through whilst also being easy to understand.’
‘Good value service and added extras including bespoke training provided. They offer particularly good value and keep costs proportionate to claim value.’
‘Tim Toomey- Tim is always very commercially attuned and deals with matters quickly and cost effectively’
Key clients
Sage Global Services Ltd
One on One Sherpa LLC
Soundbitelearning UK Ltd
A Share and Sons Ltd t/a ScS
SHG (Care Villages) Ltd t/a Springfield Healthcare
The eaga Trust
Performance Horizon Group Ltd t/a Partnerize
Work highlights
- Provided data protection support to the Sage Global Data Privacy Counsel and privacy office.
- Provided data protection advice to One on One Sherpa LLC on Sherpa’s native app.
Weightmans
Combining commercial and corporate expertise with know-how in IT and telecommunications, the team at Weightmans supports technology businesses from commercialization of their technology to securing an exit. In line with the corporate team’s strengths in acting for venture capitalists and accelerator programmes focused on technology businesses, the practice is also active at the nexus of investment and technology. Paul Wigham leads the Newcastle practice, he is specialised in acquisitions and disposals as well as private equity investments, as is Duncan Reid, a key practitioner on the team.
Practice head(s):
Paul Wigham
Other key lawyers:
Duncan Reid
Key clients
Northstar Ventures
Hicomply Limited
Oak Engage
Perwyn Advisors UK
Maven Capital Partners
Givepanel Inc
Screenreach Interactive Limited
Redu Group
Drone AG
Altitude Angel
Work highlights
- Advised the sellers on the sale of Frontier Telecom, a business technology provider specialising in mobile, connectivity and IT solutions, to Radius Payment Solutions for an undisclosed amount.
- Acted for Oak Engage Limited on a further significant investment from Maven Capital Partners and Northstar Ventures.
- Acted for Perwyn on its investment into LRG Online, trading as Secret Sales.
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
The digital team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP places a focus on digitalization projects, supporting clients from various sectors in which the firm has sector strengths, be it transport, financial services and insurance or the public sector. Together with Alastair Mitton, who leads the national team, Caroline Churchill heads up the team, with deep experience in technology solutions and data protection. Sarah Daun is able to advice on e-commerce requirements while associate James Cooper plays a key supporting role.
Practice head(s):
Alastair Mitton; Caroline Churchill
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Daun; James Cooper
Testimonials
‘Caroline Churchill – strongly recommended for tech contracts. Excellent subject matter knowledge.’
Sintons LLP
The team at Sintons LLP supports the technology sector on a range of issues, from investments, over M&A deals, to high value vendor contracts. Particular expertise lies in health tech and the intersection of intellectual property with technology. Experienced corporate and commercial practitioner Karen Simms leads the practice. On the associate level, specialist data protection lawyer Louise Weatherhead, Pippa Aitken who acts at the nexus of IP and IT and Chloe Dinsdale are also of note.
Practice head(s):
Karen Simms
Other key lawyers:
Louise Weatherhead; Pippa Aitkin; Chloe Dinsdale
Key clients
Trade Interchange Limited
Cambridge Education Group
The Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (“AHSN”)
Healthcall Solutions Limited
Classbento PTY
Cockerel Software
Sapphire Technologies Limited
Care IQ
Kani Payments Limited
The Society for Cardiological Science and Technology (“SCST”)
Barker & Stonehouse Limited
Headbox Solutions Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Trade Interchange Limited on its SaaS contracts with a number of well-known national and international companies including Morrisons, Whitbread, Domino’s Pizza, AAK, Brakes, Barchester Healthcare, BMI Healthcare, and McKesson UK.
- Advising AHSN on the National Innovator Portal. AHSN is one of the lead support organisations who will be assessing innovations via the National Innovator Portal. Advising on the form of the Support Organisation Agreement with NHS England and the terms of use of the National Innovator Portal by Support Organisations and Innovators.
- Advising Sapphire Technologies Limited who have 25 years’ experience mitigating cyber risk for some of the UK’s largest organisations, to ensure robust, fair and easy to transact contracts, that are fit for purpose.