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Information Technology and Communications

Bespoke or customised software often lies at the heart of computer systems belonging to commercial and institutional organisations. Similarly, software is often key to engineering projects that need elements of computer control, monitoring and automation. Whatever the sector, the successful installation of a new system or the upgrading of an existing one is usually vital to the day-to-day running of the organisation.

Specialist Legal Advice

From the earliest stage of contract negotiation, whether for hardware or software systems, both suppliers and users need specialist legal advice to deal effectively with issues such as employers' termination rights, delayed completion, and defects and variations.

Conflicts can often arise from mismatches in understanding - a common problem in IT-related activities. For example, a user's expectations of a new system may not correspond with the supplier's perception of what is needed, leading to a dispute combining contractual and technological complexity. Access to the right experience and expertise is vital in trying to avoid such disputes, or in resolving them when they arise.

Keating Chambers' Specialist IT Services

Keating Chambers has specialists with substantial track records in dealing with IT contracts and disputes. With several of our members possessing science or engineering backgrounds, Chambers is able to handle an impressively wide variety of IT matters.

Sample cases:
  • acting in a £14 million dispute concerning alleged failure to meet the performance specification for a computer system for a pensions provider

  • dealing with a £20 million claim in respect of a copyright dispute and alleged defects in a local authority computer system

  • acting in a £12 million dispute concerning defects in, and mismanagement in the development of, a computer system used by a utility for billing commercial and domestic customers

  • advising Hong Kong clients in a dispute with the Japanese manufacturers of a computerised crane system

  • acting in a £14 million dispute concerning alleged incompatibility between motherboards and software

  • advising in the mediation of a process controls software dispute

  • advising in a case relating to a real-time software programme

  • acting in a £2.5 million dispute concerning the copyright and design of a computer security system.


Further Information
For further information on how our members can assist you, please contact the Senior Clerk, Nick Child in the first instance on +44(0)20 7544 2600. The teams of Clerks will be pleased to advise you on the member of Keating Chambers appropriate to your requirements.