David Hudson, Oracle Corporation UK Ltd

'From the start Nabarro were different. Most firms come courting but disappear after a few months if no revenue stream is forthcoming. Nabarros invested enormous time and effort in Oracle even when there was little or no financial benefit in doing so.

That long-term view stemmed from a clear commitment to the IT industry. Nabarros has a number of industry-focussed areas including one called TMT (Technology Media and Telecoms). Immersion in IT provides them with a real appreciation of how the sector works – its fast moving nature and the need for practical solutions rather than always a detailed analysis.

Nabarros undertakes a broad range of work on our behalf. They advise us on disputes relating to consulting and implementation projects. Oracle has also made use of Nabarro’s property expertise through our Facilities Department.

My first significant instruction to them was in connection with the market for IT training services. It was a highly complex case incorporating competition law and Intellectual Property rights. Realistically, I felt there was only one firm I could use who would have the depth of industry knowledge required.

There’s real substance to our relationship. My people go to a lot of their conferences and they come and present to us. I trust Nabarros implicitly. I don’t feel any need to exert control or harbour concerns about nasty surprises when the bill arrives.

These are people you feel happy to spend time with in and out of the working environment. I always feel Nabarros treat you as real people and aren’t going out of their way to be nice because you are a client!

Their advice is always honest. If I say something daft, they’re not frightened to tell me.

Nabarros are also the only team we regularly beat at 5-a-side football. So it’s worth preserving the relationship just for that!

Going forward, Oracle and Nabarros are in a good place. We wouldn’t wish, in the nicest possible way, to use them more than we already do. However, Nabarros are our ‘go to’ firm of lawyers and I would certainly anticipate cementing them as our primary advisors in the UK.’