Our Outsourcing practice is one of only a handful of high quality practices outside London with the experience and resources to undertake large-scale outsourcing and facilities management agreements, nationally and internationally.
Our network of law firms worldwide enables us to advise on cross-border transactions, although we are equally happy to work with our client’s preferred law firms. We give value for money.
Scope of our practice
Our transactional practice covers outsourcing of:
• information technology and telecommunications networks, systems and services, including systems operations, desk top support, data centre services, call centres, application development and maintenance, and disaster recovery;
• financial services and other business processes, such as finance and accounting, human resources, and customer relationship management;
• manufacturing and logistics; and
• waste management.
Financial services outsourcing
We one of the leading financial services outsourcing practices outside of London. Our financial services clients - whether they are a supplier or a purchaser of products and services – receive expertise that combines technical legal knowledge in IT and outsourcing matters with an understanding of the processes and procedures that are supported by the systems and services being procured or supplied and the operational risk implications.
Our work in the field of securities services covers front, middle and back office systems and services, including fund accounting, transfer agency and custody. We are able to advise on services undertaken on a full lift out or white label basis.
A multi-disciplinary team
An understanding of the nature and cost drivers of an outsourcing is essential for a law firm to advise the supplier, the customer or a financier successfully. Our Information Technology and E-Business group has strength in depth in relation to outsourcing transactions and IT projects.
The acquisition of assets and personnel (and their retransfer at the end of an outsourced service) – whether by way of asset or business transfer or the acquisition of a company – may require members of our Corporate Group to advise on the deal, but it is likely that specialist support would also be required from our Employment, Pensions, Property and Tax practices. Our Competition and Procurement specialists could assist in relation to anti-trust, competition law, merger control or procurement issues. We have extensive experience of dealing with the procurement by and supply to government and public authorities.
Finally, some outsourcings are only possible through sophisticated financing, from structured finance, the issuing of debt, to the listing of securities. Our Banking and Corporate Finance teams have established track records in these areas.
Transaction support
Assisting clients throughout each stage of a transaction, from structuring the deal, advising on invitations to tender, negotiating and documenting the agreement, to project managing the process, lies at the core of our service. We have handled all forms of agreement and act for both suppliers and customers, frequently working with other professionals such as procurement experts and consultants. Consequently we give proactive and balanced advice on what is achievable. Our philosophy is to achieve pragmatic and realistic solutions, avoiding acrimony and unnecessary negotiation.
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