The commercial and technology team at A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP advises its diverse roster of clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including negotiating IT outsourcing and software agreements. Brendan Fox and Mark Thompson jointly lead the team. Fox is a seasoned litigator, while Thompson specialises in non-contentious matters, assisting on high-value IT mandates in the technology sector. Ciaran O’Shiel has extensive experience in defamation, privacy, and data protection-related litigation. The ‘clever and engaging’ Keith Dunn supports the team in advising blue-chip clients across the full spectrum of IT contracts.
IT and telecoms in Northern Ireland
A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Mark Thompson; Brendan Fox
Autres avocats clés:
Ciaran O’Shiel; Keith Dunn
Les références
‘They are a clever and interested group of people who know when to ask the right questions of others.’
‘Anna Cartwright – a brilliant person to know. Keith Dunn – very clever and engaging.’
Principaux clients
George Best Belfast City Airport
MJM Marine Group
Spence & Partners Ltd
Axial Medical Printing Limited t/a Axial3D
Neurovalens Ltd
Component Distributors Ltd
Energy Metrics Monitoring & Management Ltd
Vertical Structure Ltd
Bedford Consultancy Services Limited
Reform Clothing Limited
Pinnacle Computing (Support) Limited
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Northside Graphics Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised George Best Belfast City Airport in relation to the re-negotiation of its Air Traffic Control Services agreement with NATS (Services) Limited.
- Assisted MJM Marine Group in negotiating a full-service IT outsourcing agreement with Nostra Technologies Limited.
- Negotiated a contract with a software vendor called Eque2 for the implementation of a new cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning IT system for our client, Cairn Homes PLC.
Arthur Cox Belfast
The Arthur Cox Belfast technology and life sciences practice is a go-to for public sector clients, as the team has a strong reputation for public procurement law. William Curry leads the practice and is an expert in technology implementation and public procurement matters. The core of Richard Armstrong‘s practice is software licensing agreements and investment work. Corporate lawyer Lynsey Mallon has a niche in the fintech space.
Responsables de la pratique:
William Curry
Autres avocats clés:
Richard Armstrong; Lynsey Mallon
Les références
‘Solicitors work collaboratively with their clients. They are exceptionally friendly, down to earth and offer grounded and practical legal advice.’
‘The Solicitors are pragmatic, professional but very friendly which results in excellent collaboration and engagement.’
Principaux clients
Department of Finance – Land and Property Services
Musgrave Retail Partners NI Limited
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Authority
Sonrai Analytics Limited
SONI Ltd
Driver and Vehicle Agency
Mutual Energy Limited
Interconnector Services (NI) Limited
Leeds Equity Partners
Handicaddie Ltd
Carson McDowell
Carson McDowell’s technology sector team is skilled at advising public bodies in procuring IT infrastructure. The team notably acts for both Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, which it has recently advised on a range of contracts related to the ownership and use of IT systems and data. ‘Stand out’ team head Dawn McKnight is an expert in IT-related due diligence and is routinely called upon by the firm’s growing cybersecurity clientele. Litigator Peter Guzhar provides advice on contentious IT matters, including licensing disputes, while Karla Dooey specialises in software development mandates.
Responsables de la pratique:
Dawn McKnight
Autres avocats clés:
Peter Guzhar; Karla Dooey
Les références
‘Market leader in the field – probably unrivalled.’
‘Knowledge of the sector and familiarity with the court process.’
‘We have had a relatively longstanding relationship with the company, and so they know our business and have always sought to be accommodating. Our work has been somewhat complex and the team have done their best to ensure they understand this to help ensure the best outcome for us.’
Principaux clients
Volkswagen AG (via Büsing Müffelmann & Theye)
Ulster University
Queens University Belfast
Firmus Energy Distribution Limited
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited
Belfast Harbour Commissioners
Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners
RTE (Raidió Teilifís Éireann)
Multiplex Broadcasting Services NI (MBS)
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks
Modern Democracy Limited
Clearpool Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advising NIE Networks limited on the procurement of its full range of IT Managed Services, including service desk, telecoms services, infrastructure and data centre services, software licencing, invoicing, resource augmentation and invoice processing.
- Advised RTE and Multiplex Broadcasting Services NI on an agreement with Arqiva for multiplexing, distribution and transmission services as well as maintenance of the antenna equipment required for broadcast and transmission.
- Advised Volkswagen AG (via Büsing Müffelmann & Theye) on Northern Irish consumer law matters relating to the global rollout of digital services provided to the client’s consumers through in-car “infotainment” systems.
Tughans
The technology team at Tughans acts for early-stage technology companies and investment funds investing in start-ups in the IT sector. Practice head Adrian O’Connell is an expert in commercial agreements, covering licensing, supply, and technology transfers, while co-head Patrick Brown leads on the contentious side. Andrew Kirke regularly assists businesses with commercialisation as well as licensing, partnership, and outsourcing agreements. Paul Eastwood has particular expertise in data protection and data breaches. Aoife Murray provides support on the full spectrum of commercial contracts.
Responsables de la pratique:
Adrian O’Connell; Patrick Brown
Autres avocats clés:
Andrew Kirke; Paul Eastwood; Aoife Murray
Les références
‘I have worked with Adrian O’Connell and Paul O’Brien on separate transactions recently. Both excel at simplifying legalese to help me make decisions.’
‘The team at Tughans has deep expertise in government procurement law as it relates to technology contracts. Have the ability to provide strategic advice in navigating a complex procurement dispute, effectively managing the matter to resolution.’
‘Patrick Brown provides excellent, clear guidance on matters of procurement litigation.’
Principaux clients
Vyta Secure
Techstart Ventures LLP
Business Growth Fund (BGF)
Kernel Capital
Randox Group
Neurolaboratories Limited
OCO Global Limited
System C Healthcare
B-Secur Limited
Land Administration Company, Inc.
Lewis Silkin
The information technologies team at Lewis Silkin advises on contractual teams with customers and suppliers, including on subscription contracts, software development agreements and digital transformation transactions. Practice head Rory Campbell is well-equipped to advise IT providers on software and services supply arrangements. Mary Traynor departed in October 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rory Campbell
Principaux clients
Sensoteq Ltd
Analytic Engines Limited
Aura Commodities Limited
Instil Software Limited
Telefonica Tech UK Limited
TMT Finance Limited
Memorytell Limited
EXRT Intelligent Healthcare Limited
GCD Technologies Ltd
SmartWorkPlus Ltd
Cybersecurity NI Limited
Spec Digital Limited
FD Technologies PLC
Right Revenue Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Telefonica Tech UK on contracts in the UK and Republic of Ireland, including ICT Managed Services for private and public sector customers.
- Advised TMT Finance Limited on terms of contracts with IT providers and subscription and content use contracts.
- Advised Sensoteq Ltd on the drafting and negotiation of a master framework agreement with a global distributor.