Milbank’s win for AstraZeneca in one of the most important IT cases to go before the English Courts
Milbank represented AstraZeneca in a significant information technology case. In 2011, AstraZeneca decided to terminate its $1.4 billion IT infrastructure contract with IBM, under which IBM provided services to AstraZeneca in more than 60 countries. The termination of the contract triggered a 12-month exit period during which IBM was required to continue providing services as well as assist in the transition of the services to successor suppliers.
Several disputes arose relating to the nature and extent of IBM’s obligations following termination and, in particular, the circumstances in which IBM was obliged to continue to provide services to AstraZeneca for up to another 12 months beyond the end of the exit period. We commenced proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court seeking urgent declaratory relief. Judgment was handed down less than three and a half months after
