Expertise
Matheson has advised the tech sector and blue-chip technology multi-national and domestic companies in Ireland in relation to their technology related work, consistently and with a specialised focus, for more than 25 years. As the longest established technology practice in Ireland, we have been involved at the cutting edge of technology related legal developments over that period.
Our Technology and Innovation Group has unrivalled breadth and depth of transactional, contract and advisory experience. Our clients include national and multinational ICT and social media companies, financial institutions, and large corporate and public sector users of technology. Our work encompasses all aspects of technology and contract legal advice, from large and complex ICT integration, outsourcing, cloud computing and managed services contracts, through e-commerce, digital services and content. We advise on business to business, business to consumer and platform relationships, and provide support to our clients not only on technology related contracts, but on their full range of commercial contract requirements.
Services
We provide innovative, useful and pragmatic advice, leveraging our industry knowledge and our understanding of our clients’ businesses and objectives.
We aim to deliver real value to our clients by formulating workable, cost-efficient solutions:
- structuring contractual arrangements for the commercialisation, acquisition or licencing of ICT and cloud systems and services;
- outsourcing and services arrangements (and related procurement and tendering processes);
- the use of technology in contract execution (including electronic signatures and certification services); or
- advising on the legal issues in the digital single market, e-commerce and internet ecosystems.
We also advise on data protection, privacy and freedom of information, as well as cyber security matters.
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Our Team
Our recent experience in Technology and Innovation includes advising:
- A multinational technology company on an ongoing basis on Irish and EU technology, contract and regulatory matters, including restructuring of its licensing and delivery programmes, procurement advice and contentious contract matters.
- A social media multi-national on online content issues, including national and international policy. developments relating to harmful content and harmful online communications, and intermediary liability generally.
- A multinational financial institution on the structuring of and contracts for its investor focused portals and apps, including data advising on protection, user terms, outsourcing and regulatory matters.
- A pillar Irish financial institution on regulatory, contract and data protection matters in connection with secure customer authenticator technology solutions.
- A US based direct-to-consumer fashion company on its launch in the Irish market, covering the full suite of online consumer protection, e-commerce and data protection advice to ensure that compliance of the Irish sales channels, in a full “end-to-end” e-commerce compliance project.
- A publically traded pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturer on the full range of its commercial contracts and on data protection matters.
- A start-up insurance tech company funded by a multinational insurer on the agreement for the implementation and licensing of an innovating insurtech software platform from a leading Chinese insurance tech provider.
- Advising a non-traditional financial services provider in relation to its master agreement for the development and delivery of its strategically important mobile and web application allowing it to provide more of its services digitally, and the associated user and customer terms, and data protection matters.
- Provide a US headquartered technology company with strategic product counselling advice on cutting edge technology, working with their commercial and legal teams to assess legal risk, including undertaking data protection impact assessments, and assisting in product roll out to the market.
- A multi-national insurance institution on an ongoing basis on data protection, intellectual property licensing and regulatory issues, including those arising on complex intra-group restructurings of technology platforms as part of acquisition integrations, the resulting restructurings of customer contractual arrangements as between various group entities, and with regard to customer portals.
- A social media company on intra-group outsourcing arrangements in the context of the provision of regulated payment services.
- On appropriate on-line legal models, including drafting terms and conditions of use, website disclaimers, copyright notices and privacy statements, for e-commerce companies and traditional corporates with an on-line presence.
- The then Department of Public Enterprise in drafting the Electronic Commerce Act 2000.
"The team has a very good understanding of the business and of the competitive environment in which the business operates. Advice is always practical and tailored to the situation at hand. Technical and legal expertise is always up-to-date, and always recognises and seeks to mitigate the risks."
Information Technology: The Legal 500 2023
"Matheson is attuned to our commercial drivers and is also well aware of those of other parties. This insight is invaluable at times."
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2023
"Practical, focused advice from the team whose broad knowledge across the various legal issues related to technology is particularly valuable. The team understand our business very well and the market we operate in."
Information Technology: The Legal 500 2022
"The law firm has made significant effort to understand our business and how they need to adapt advice and support complementary to our commercial objectives."
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe
The Matheson team "are incredibly responsive and understand our protocols."
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2021
"They are reliable and react quickly."
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2021
"They tell me what I need to do, rather than just what I would like to hear"
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2021
"Matheson is one of the strongest firms in Ireland at all levels. They have a particularly strong IT, tech and IP group. They are extremely flexible and practical in their approach and always looking to support their clients proactively."
TMT - IT: European Legal 500 2021
"Excellent technical knowledge and industry/regulatory insights. The responsiveness, support and detailed attention on urgent matters is really appreciated."
TMT - IT: European Legal 500 2021
Sources have commended the " enthusiastic young team, who are incredibly keen not just to provide advice, but also to learn about our business. The Matheson team is certainly up there with some of the best teams in Ireland that I’ve worked with.
Matheson's willingness to get underneath the bonnet and really understand the business is a huge asset."
TMT - IT: European Legal 500 2021
"They have far-reaching oversight of the industry in Ireland, ranging from government to individual creatives and also have the broadest experience of any practice, making it the most effective across a range of all operations in media and entertainment."
TMT - Media & Entertainment: European Legal 500 2021
They deliver commercially focussed and practical advice on a timely basis."
TMT - Telecoms: European Legal 500 2021
One of Matheson’s key strengths is “the commitment and responsiveness of the core team”.
TMT - IT: European Legal 500 2019
"They are alive to the commercial imperatives at play when giving regulatory advice, meaning that the advice is very practical and strategic."
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2019
"I take a firm’s legal expertise as a given, so it is often the attitude of the staff that is the deciding factor in whether I will instruct or continue to instruct. Matheson passed this test with flying colours".
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2019
Matheson have "hugely impressed with their ability not to simply advise on what the regulations say but also to think strategically about their impact".
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2019
"The reason we work together is their outstanding reputation and skills on IT and data protection matters. They provide cutting edge advice on certification matters under the GDPR. They are astute, commercially-focused and provide top-notch advice."
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2019
“Matheson is our external legal provider of choice in this [telecommunications] area.”
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe
“I’ve been particularly impressed with the top class service provided by the firm.”
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe
“For any Irish Matters, we go to Matheson.”
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2018
"Their advice was clear, succinct and well-reasoned."
TMT: Information Technology: Chambers Europe 2018
Matheson showcased its strength in the technology sector.
TMT - IT: European Legal 500 2018