The traditional IT and internet worlds were always thought of as being an open and free playing field, whilst the telecommunications and media worlds were highly regulated. Increasingly, all parts of the TMT spectrum now face more and more regulation of varying kinds.
The form of telecommunication regulation has developed and changed with technological requirements and different market needs to address, whilst the IT arena sees more regulation of a technical nature as well as restrictions upon use of IT infrastructure and services such as data protection laws and electronic waste regulations.
Regulation of the internet has increasingly come to the fore and at the same time whilst the regulators have recognised the need to adapt regulation in the face of changing technology and markets, so we have been involved in leading edge issues in the changes and new developments that arise.
Included in our regulatory work of course has been the conduct of regulatory disputes and here the firm has been able to tap into its traditional contentious skills applied in a focussed way within the TMT sector. Apart from arguments with regulators and appeals from regulators' decisions, the firm has also continued to be kept busy with day to day corporate and commercial disputes between players in the TMT sector, often involving contractual or IP related arguments where our clients have turned to us for Herbert Smith's renowned dispute resolution services.
"A perennial top choice for 'heavyweight' litigation, the firm's telecom practice combines classic dispute resolution skills with commercial technical expertise. For their part, clients praised the team's 'timely and prompt' service and proactive style"
Chambers UK 2005