Oracle

Nabarro has been working with Oracle on our disputes for about eight or nine years, mainly on large scale IT project disputes.

Nabarro is able to come in and assist us at an early stage - so we can work on a strategy which may resolve the matter at a commercial level, before it has escalated to a point of no return. They provide a level of technical ability and know-how to help you decide what would be the best way to resolve that particular dispute, so that, hopefully, the project gets back on track. There are people in Nabarro that I absolutely trust, that their judgement is spot on.

A lot of the issues we’ve worked on with Nabarro over the years have not gone anywhere near a formal dispute resolution procedure. Nabarro would be in the background supporting the internal team - helping to manage disputes so that you get the best result without necessarily entering into the formal dispute arena.

Nabarro represent us on the whole range of dispute resolution processes, from the more softly softly commercial negotiations, through to mediation, arbitration or, if necessary, litigation. By sometimes suggesting a more commercial course of action, they're not being weak - they're offering a very commercial and pragmatic view, based on what we really want, or need, to achieve in each case.

These are our business customers and partners, so there is always a judgement call to be made in terms of the long-term relationship. It’s important that the law firms we work with understand that. Understanding the IT industry as a whole and where Oracle sits in that industry - where it’s come from and where it’s going to - is also very important.

In such a highly technical and fast changing area, having lawyers that really do understand the technology and industry and who are able to make such technology absolutely clear makes a massive difference. We’re working at the moment on an international arbitration. The large document on my desk is the defence we’re serving tomorrow in this arbitration, and they’ve done a great job, and it shows how Nabarro really understands how these projects work.

Nabarro developed their IT practice in the mid-80s. They were in at the beginning of IT law in the UK and have stuck with it as a core specialist area, so they have real depth of experience and expertise. There is definitely a Nabarro feeling.

They’re very user-friendly, down to earth, professional and focused and very open. You can just pick up the phone at any point and have sensible and frank discussions. You don’t feel you’re going to be charged for every second or that that was a stupid question to ask.

For me it’s the ability to work together as a team for a common aim. The experience and expertise is there and it’s second to none, but it’s the combination of that with the approachability and the ability to get things done. I feel very comfortable in knowing that I’ll get speedy efficient good quality advice.

At a personal level, the people I work with I genuinely hold in great affection, which makes for a pleasant working relationship.