IT & Technology Disputes

4 New Square’s barristers have extensive experience of major IT and technology disputes, including some of the largest and most complex technology projects to come before the English courts and arbitral tribunals.

Members act for customers, suppliers, developers, technology companies and public bodies in disputes arising from major IT programmes and technology projects. Our experience spans project failure and termination, software development and implementation, systems integration, outsourcing, licensing, cloud services, telecommunications and IT infrastructure.

Members combine substantial commercial litigation and international arbitration experience with a detailed understanding of the technical issues that arise in IT disputes.

IT projects, software and technology services

Members have particular experience of disputes arising from failed or terminated IT projects, including delayed or defective software, implementation failures, systems integration, contractual performance, testing, licensing and wrongful termination.

Our experience includes disputes involving software development and implementation, ERP systems, outsourcing and IT services, cloud computing and disaster recovery, telecommunications and broadband, hardware and IT infrastructure, cyber security, and claims involving IT professionals and technology consultants.

Members also have substantial experience of government and public sector technology projects, including major healthcare and NHS technology disputes.

Recent and significant experience

• IBM UK v LzLabs GmbH & Ors – substantial Technology and Construction Court proceedings concerning alleged contractual breaches arising from the development of a competitor product to the IBM Mainframe;
• Secretary of State for the Home Department v Raytheon Systems Ltd – the dispute arising from the termination of the Home Office’s £800 million e-Borders IT programme;
• a high-value LCIA arbitration concerning a major European government IT project in the healthcare sector;
• a claim concerning technology services supplied to the NHS, with more than £100 million in issue and allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation;
• disputes concerning ERP and other large-scale software implementation projects;
• a dispute arising from the Welsh Government’s public sector broadband initiative;
• software development and licensing disputes, including proceedings concerning the use of Microsoft licensed products; and
• disputes involving cloud services and disaster recovery systems.

Our technology disputes practice overlaps with Chambers’ expertise in artificial intelligence, cryptoassets and professional negligence.