4 Pump Court is a set with a strong reputation for its capabilities, handling cases at the cutting edge of tech development. It is well-regarded for its ‘excellent bench-strength at all levels’ and its caseload includes complex disputes regarding cybersecurity, complex software and hardware issues, crypto, blockchain and AI. Daniel Goodkin is acting for the claimant in Entertainment App Limited v Patel & Others, a case which involved a £500m claim related to the assignment and development of a tech platform intended aggregate property listings; the claim alleges a failure by the defendant to deliver the agreed software before its intended commercial launch. Simon Henderson has notably been representing the Post Office in the high-profile Horizon System Group Litigation concerning the Horizon scandal. Rebecca Keating is representing The Nissan Authorised Dealerships in the Pan-NOx Emissions Litigation wherein claimants allege vehicle software manipulated emissions control.
IT and telecoms: projects and services in
London Bar
4 Pump Court
Les références
‘Superb – sets the benchmark for effective clerking. Billy Griffiths is a superb clerk.’
‘4 Pump Court’s clerking sets the benchmark against which I judge other sets. Billy Griffiths is particularly good.’
‘Very good – Billy Griffiths is particularly user-friendly, being engaged, proactive and can-do.’
Principaux dossiers
8 New Square
8 New Square‘s barristers are noted as being ‘at the top of their game’. The set’s key recent cases include Jaani Riordan‘s representation of Microsoft in JJH Enterprise (t/a ValueLicensing) v Microsoft Corp & Ors wherein abuse of dominance in alleged owing to imposition of restrictive licence terms prohibiting resale of second-hand software licenses, with a trial anticipated for 2026. Mark Chacksfield KC‘s specialism in this area is at the intersection of patents and IT, an example of such work being the representation of the defendant in Lenovo Group Ltd v InterDigital Technology Corp, wherein it was put to the test whether a so-called FRAND interim licence could be declared in respect of patents declared as essential to telecoms standards; The Court of Appeal affirmed that limitation periods do not apply to the determination of FRAND terms for past sales and that interest is payable on the determined royalty.
Les références
‘Extremely thoughtful and accommodating clerking.’
‘Martin Williams is an elite clerk.’
‘Very good clerking.’
Principaux dossiers
Three New Square
The set at Three New Square has experience representing well-known clients in cases relating to telecoms and FRAND work in particular, an example being Joe Delaney‘s acting for the defendant in Tesla v InterDigital in respect of patents that cover the use of 5G technology in Tesla’s cars. Further recent work includes Tom Hinchliffe KC‘s acting for Lenovo in InterDigital v Lenovo in relation to its multi-mullion dollar FRAND dispute.
Principaux dossiers
11 South Square
The team at 11 South Square has a particular specialism in IP related IT disputes. Recent work across the team includes Brian Nicholson KC‘s acting for the appellant in Emotional Perception v Comptroller General of Patents which is set to take place at the Supreme Court in 2025, and regards the patentability of AI inventions, in this case of a neural network-based tool for recommending songs based on their emotional similarity others; the Court of Appeal decided the tool did not make the necessary technical contribution required to obtain patent protection. Mark Vanhegan KC is notably acting for the defendant in IBM v LzLabs GmbH, in which a company has been accused of stealing and copying trade secrets from the American tech giant claimant.
Principaux dossiers
Atkin Chambers
The ‘top quality’ set at Atkin Chambers is formed of barristers with capabilities handling business-critical system-related disputes and contractual disputes. James Howells KC is representing the claimant in Capita Life and Pensions Regulated Services Limited v Pearl Group Management Services in a dispute regarding claims of payment for insurance administration support IT services and related contract termination issues. Patrick Clarke is led by Howells in the aforementioned, as well as in his representation of Capita in Capita Life and Pensions Regulated Services Limited v Phoenix Group Management Services Limited, a case involving a £50m dispute concerning the transfer of IT services, awaiting trial.
Les références
‘David Barnes and Justin Wilson are absolute Rolls Royce clerks.’
‘Rick Bulaitis is approachable and commercial.’
‘A good overall service.’
Principaux dossiers
Twenty Essex
Twenty Essex‘s set is equipped to act for various well-known clients in telecoms and IT disputes. Lawrence Akka KC‘s recent case list includes representing the BBC in BBC v Arqiva Limited, in a claim for £20m service credits arising out the alleged significant failure of the Bilsdale Digital TV radio transmission mast, leading to national broadcast outages. Josephine Davies KC is notably acting for Motorola in Motorola v Ericsson; the case forms an important part of the dispute between Ericsson and Lenovo about the price for a global patent cross licence to various telecoms standard essential patents.
Les références
‘Super clerks room. Excellent support.’
‘Availability is excellent.’
4 Pump Court
Les références
‘Superb – sets the benchmark for effective clerking. Billy Griffiths is a superb clerk.’
‘4 Pump Court’s clerking sets the benchmark against which I judge other sets. Billy Griffiths is particularly good.’
‘Very good – Billy Griffiths is particularly user-friendly, being engaged, proactive and can-do.’
Principaux dossiers
8 New Square
8 New Square‘s barristers are noted as being ‘at the top of their game’. The set’s key recent cases include Jaani Riordan‘s representation of Microsoft in JJH Enterprise (t/a ValueLicensing) v Microsoft Corp & Ors wherein abuse of dominance in alleged owing to imposition of restrictive licence terms prohibiting resale of second-hand software licenses, with a trial anticipated for 2026. Mark Chacksfield KC‘s specialism in this area is at the intersection of patents and IT, an example of such work being the representation of the defendant in Lenovo Group Ltd v InterDigital Technology Corp, wherein it was put to the test whether a so-called FRAND interim licence could be declared in respect of patents declared as essential to telecoms standards; The Court of Appeal affirmed that limitation periods do not apply to the determination of FRAND terms for past sales and that interest is payable on the determined royalty.
Les références
‘Extremely thoughtful and accommodating clerking.’
‘Martin Williams is an elite clerk.’
‘Very good clerking.’
Principaux dossiers
Three New Square
The set at Three New Square has experience representing well-known clients in cases relating to telecoms and FRAND work in particular, an example being Joe Delaney‘s acting for the defendant in Tesla v InterDigital in respect of patents that cover the use of 5G technology in Tesla’s cars. Further recent work includes Tom Hinchliffe KC‘s acting for Lenovo in InterDigital v Lenovo in relation to its multi-mullion dollar FRAND dispute.
Principaux dossiers
11 South Square
The team at 11 South Square has a particular specialism in IP related IT disputes. Recent work across the team includes Brian Nicholson KC‘s acting for the appellant in Emotional Perception v Comptroller General of Patents which is set to take place at the Supreme Court in 2025, and regards the patentability of AI inventions, in this case of a neural network-based tool for recommending songs based on their emotional similarity others; the Court of Appeal decided the tool did not make the necessary technical contribution required to obtain patent protection. Mark Vanhegan KC is notably acting for the defendant in IBM v LzLabs GmbH, in which a company has been accused of stealing and copying trade secrets from the American tech giant claimant.
Principaux dossiers
Atkin Chambers
The ‘top quality’ set at Atkin Chambers is formed of barristers with capabilities handling business-critical system-related disputes and contractual disputes. James Howells KC is representing the claimant in Capita Life and Pensions Regulated Services Limited v Pearl Group Management Services in a dispute regarding claims of payment for insurance administration support IT services and related contract termination issues. Patrick Clarke is led by Howells in the aforementioned, as well as in his representation of Capita in Capita Life and Pensions Regulated Services Limited v Phoenix Group Management Services Limited, a case involving a £50m dispute concerning the transfer of IT services, awaiting trial.
Les références
‘David Barnes and Justin Wilson are absolute Rolls Royce clerks.’
‘Rick Bulaitis is approachable and commercial.’
‘A good overall service.’
Principaux dossiers
Twenty Essex
Twenty Essex‘s set is equipped to act for various well-known clients in telecoms and IT disputes. Lawrence Akka KC‘s recent case list includes representing the BBC in BBC v Arqiva Limited, in a claim for £20m service credits arising out the alleged significant failure of the Bilsdale Digital TV radio transmission mast, leading to national broadcast outages. Josephine Davies KC is notably acting for Motorola in Motorola v Ericsson; the case forms an important part of the dispute between Ericsson and Lenovo about the price for a global patent cross licence to various telecoms standard essential patents.
Les références
‘Super clerks room. Excellent support.’
‘Availability is excellent.’