Technology

From start-ups to the largest tech firms, whether you're creating technology, using it to disrupt the market, or changing because of it, we are experts in the known and unknown, and everything in between.

 

Bristows has a rich history in technology.

We advised on laying the first transatlantic cable, and we have been at the forefront of developments ever since. We’re proud to represent many of the biggest names in the sector across a wide range of advisory, transactional and litigious matters.

Many of us have science or engineering backgrounds, some at doctorate level, so we can keep up with changes in technology, whatever they may be.

We also love what we do.

Whether your business is creating technology, transforming itself with technology, reshaping its industry or changing the world through technology, we have the lawyers to help you.

What does technology mean to you?


Are you...

Creating Technology?

These are the driving force behind the advancements that shape our lives, the businesses that bring new technologies to life. From coding complex software to developing AI models and designing hardware, the technology creators are the engine of innovation that propels the industry forward. Whatever the technology, the leading players seek us out for our expertise.
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Transforming with Technology?

These are forward-thinking businesses embracing technology to unlock new opportunities or, in some cases, to survive. By implementing digital transformation projects and partnerships, they streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and deliver additional value to their stakeholders. Whatever the reason, we’re excited to help them on all aspects of their strategy.
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Disrupting with Technology?

New entrants are shaking up every market, from banking to healthcare and taxis to takeaways. These are the businesses revolutionising their sectors by harnessing the power of technology to rewrite the rules, challenge traditional models and redefine what's possible. We have the skills and experience to help them on their journey.
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Trending tech

Explore our insights and expertise in just some of the most innovative areas of technology which are changing the way we live and do business.

Insights

Resources

Our team of tech law experts often share their knowledge and insights either at events or in annual publications and article series.

Tech blog

Key contacts

The depth of our expertise in the technology sector is matched by its breadth. We have specialists across all our practice groups, so we can support you whatever your legal requirements.

What others say

“They have a clear understanding of what our business wants to achieve and that underpins all their advice. They know when to involve the business stakeholders and are able to tailor their approach to that audience and suggest solutions that take key business drivers into account.”

Chambers and Partners 2024

“Bristows has a comprehensive IT practice with powerful resources for major commercial transactions and complex litigation. It advises many of the world’s leading technology companies, and also sophisticated blue-chip buyers of IT services. It is especially adept at providing counsel on the most current and cutting-edge issues in the technology space. Bristows houses experienced advisers on digital advertising and cloud computing matters.”

Chambers and Partners 2024

“Bristows is our go-to firm for any complex or high-value technology work. The team is accessible, responsive and incredibly knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.”

Legal 500 2024

“Excellent legal skills, combined with a good sector knowledge and a hands-on approach, make Bristows a very useful resource.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Commercial awareness is definitely one of Bristows’ strong points. Team members’ prior in-house experience shows. It is great to receive advice that is commercially balanced and easily understood by all functions of our business.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Even in the event the requests were a bit outside of telecom regulations, the firm were able to assist with providing an exhaustive response to all enquiries. They always responded within the quoted review time and usually exceeded expectations.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“All team members have very deep experience in different fields of expertise. They understand what kind of level of response a client needs before wasting money on long reports, which is very much appreciated. On top of this, they provide updates on UK case law that are very helpful.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“They’re very commercial and good at dealing with clients.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Bristows is known for its deep bench of high-calibre litigators with supreme expertise in contentious patent, trade mark, designs and copyright matters. The team is particularly sought after for biosimilars and telecommunications litigation, and is frequently instructed for standard-essential patent-related disputes. The Bristows IP team is also distinguished for its work on the commercialisation of IP at the vanguard of life sciences and technology, and is additionally recommended for its trade mark prosecution service.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Bristows has a comprehensive IT practice with powerful resources for major commercial transactions and complex litigation. It advises many of the world’s leading technology companies, and also sophisticated blue-chip buyers of IT services. It is especially adept at providing counsel on the most current and cutting-edge issues in the technology space.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Clients use them because of their sector expertise and their understanding of commercial organisations needing to deliver pragmatic privacy guidance with a commercial steerage.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“They are technically very strong, giving us great confidence in their advice.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Bristows boasts notable strength at the intersection between competition law and IP, advising on key cases that test the definition of FRAND terms for the licensing of SEPs in the technology sector.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Consistently at the forefront of the market, dealing with precedent setting cases or managing multi-jurisdictional matters, the team advises high-profile global clients in the technology and life sciences sectors on commercial, regulatory, competition, and contentious matters.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team at Bristows strike the perfect balance between excellent technical legal knowledge and industry insight and experience. They are able to distil often complex legal positions into easy to digest and practical advice. The strategic value they are able to add sets them apart from their competitors.”

Legal 500 2023

“Their understanding of the industry and therefore ability to provide tailored advice is great. They also take a pragmatic view, such that in negotiation with providers they focus on what is important and likely, rather than focusing on theoretical, pedantic legal points that have no” probability of happening in practice.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team at Bristows is second to none in the UK technology law space. They are accessible, responsive, highly knowledgeable and experienced and are a go-to team for any complex, high value or innovative IT deal.”

Legal 500 2023

“The practice has strengths in new and emerging technologies, advising clients on cloud issues, robotics and AI.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team demonstrates wide-ranging expertise across telecoms M&A, SaaS and outsourcing issues, and regulatory matters, and is notably strong in contentious mandates.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP has a vast array of clients, including technology and telecoms companies, regulators, and purchasers of IT, such as governmental departments and financial institutions.”

Legal 500 2023

“Exceptional practice, well motivated, and proactive.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP has expertise in AI, robotics, distributed ledger technologies and blockchain. The client base ranges from fintechs and challenger banks, investors, SMEs, academic institutions through to banks and large multinationals.”

Legal 500 2023

“Great expertise, very approachable.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team at Bristows is second to none in the UK technology law space. They are accessible, responsive, highly knowledgeable and experienced and are our go-to team for any complex, high-value or innovative IT deals.”

Legal 500 2023

“On the non-contentious side, strengths include corporate M&A and venture capital matters, commercial IP work, and strategic and project advice for clients across the technology, media, and telecoms sectors.”

Legal 500 2023

“Contentious work is a core strength for the broad technology sector practice at Bristows LLP, with experience in disputes ranging from major FRAND cases to competition issues to media and data protection compliance work, which the firm handles for an impressive base of high-profile household names and multinational corporates.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team has exceptional knowledge of the life sciences space. It acts for a broad range of industry players and has a deep understanding of market practice.”

Legal 500 2023

“Justified reputation as one of, if not the, leading firms for IP life sciences. Excellent reputation in the UK and beyond – widely respected throughout Europe for coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP is ‘widely respected throughout Europe for coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes’ and has ‘a justified reputation as one of the leading firms for IP life sciences work’.”

Legal 500 2023

“Lauded by clients for its ‘experienced, thoughtful and brilliant‘ capabilities at the intersection of IP and competition litigation, Bristows LLP is particularly well regarded for its technology and life sciences acumen.”

Legal 500 2023

Recent rankings and awards

Data Protection (Europe wide) - Band 3

Technology Sector (International & Cross-Border) - Band 2

Data Protection in Global: Multi-Jurisdictional - Band 3

Data Protection (Europe wide) - Band 3

Information Technology and Outsourcing - Band 1

Telecommunications - Band 4

Tier - Band 1

Information Technology and Outsourcing - Band 1

Data Protection and Information Law - Band 1

IT and Telecoms - Tier 1

Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity - Tier 1

Technology, Media & Telecoms - Tier 2

Media & entertainment: Gaming, social media & interactive content - Band 3

Fintech - Tier 3

Fintech - Band 5

Information Technology - Band 1

Outsourcing - Band 1

Technology Sector (International & Cross-border ) - Band 1

Firm of the Year: Data - Security

Leading Firm