Technology & Telecoms

4 Pump Court has long been recognised both domestically and internationally as the pre-eminent set for the full breadth of technology and telecommunications disputes.

Our Technology practice is uniquely positioned to deal with the commercial, technical and intellectual-property aspects of disputes that arise in the complex and rapidly changing technological environments of today.

Members of our Technology team are regularly instructed in relation to both international and domestic disputes arising out of project failures and delays, defective hardware and software, IP licences and other contractual matters. We advise in relation to on-going technology projects as well as those that have been terminated, and have expertise in e-disclosure systems and processes.

We are well placed to assist providers, users, regulators and insurers with the significant issues and risks arising from major projects and developments such as:

• Ad tech
• Analytics
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Big data
• Blockchain
• Cloud computing
• Cryptocurrency
• Cyber security
• Date Protection
• Internet of things (IoT)
• Smart contracting

Our Technology practice supports a wide range of clients, including suppliers and purchasers of IT systems, global telecoms providers, users, regulators, insurers and equipment manufacturers and their customers in the private and public sectors. We regularly act for governments, global IT consultancies, rights holders, multi-national corporations, software houses of all sizes and start-ups, as well as fire brigades, police authorities, health services.

We are rapidly building our reputation as the go-to set for crypto-asset disputes. Barristers practising in this area have a detailed understanding of blockchain technology, cryptocurrency markets and related ecosystems. Two members of our Technology team recently acted in Toma v Murray, one of the most widely reported Bitcoin judgments of 2020 and Matthew Lavy was lead author of the Legal Statement on Crypto-assets and Smart Contracts, a highly influential analysis of the law in this area which has been cited by courts in the UK and other global jurisdictions. Our barristers have advised or represented clients in relation to crypto-fraud, crypto-asset recoveries, initial coin offerings and disputes involving blockchain-based tokens; our members are sought after for their expertise on the legal mechanics of smart contracts.

With new and emerging technologies becoming increasingly integral to commercial disputes, the need for dynamic, responsive counsel is greater than ever. Our Technology barristers provide unparalleled advocacy and advice on intersecting commercial areas, including banking and finance, construction, energy and shipping.