LEGAL
Digital Economy
Cutting through the complexities of digitalisation with practical and commercial legal solutions to address your business challenges.
Search our peopleBusinesses recognise that their future relies on the successful application of digital technology.
From refreshing outdated legacy systems to implementing cutting-edge tech, such as hyperconverged infrastructure, artificial intelligence or robotic process automation, digital transformation enables the two fundamental competitive forces: improving customer experience and achieving efficiency. While the drive to digitalise energy systems is also increasingly becoming central to business strategy as business take concrete steps towards building a low carbon economy and achieving net zero.
Our digital economy group partner with our clients, combining up-to-the-minute industry knowledge with technical excellence to deliver innovative, commercial solutions. The clients we advise range from listed companies and privately-owned businesses wishing to stay relevant and become more efficient, to innovative start-ups looking to disrupt the market. We deliver advice that can help you maximise value and mitigate threats as you make the most of the latest developments in the Digital Economy.
Digital capability
Genuine world class experience, evidenced independently by our top tier rankings, awards and market recognition of individuals within our talented teams.
Practical , commercial solutions
Delivering up-to-the-minute industry knowledge with technical excellence to present innovative, commercial solutions to address your business challenges.
A tailored approach
A commitment to investing time in getting to understand you, your priorities and drivers to ensure we provide you with tailored advice.
How we can help
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Digital Infrastructure
Digital infrastructure is at the heart of digitalisation. Its importance is growing, but traditional business models (and margins) are being challenged
Read moreDigital Infrastructure
Essential for digitalisation
Digital infrastructure is at the heart of digitalisation. Its importance is growing, but traditional business models (and margins) are being challenged – be it in towers, fibre, undersea cable, data centres or the internet of things. This is spurring a wide range of deals, from new roll-outs and partnerships, to financings and mergers and acquistions.
Innovation
We can help you develop your digital strategy, exploiting new developments in technology, communications and data, while maximising value and mitigating threats. Our Digital Infrastructure team combines corporate, commercial, regulatory, finance, construction and digital infrastructure experts with other specialist lawyers from across our network. This group has direct experience of working together on digital infrastructure transactions across the globe.
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Data Protection and Privacy
In today's increasingly regulated and digital environment, Ashurst's data practice will help you navigate the challenges of privacy compliance by providing holistic, practical and commercial legal solutions.
Read moreData Protection and Privacy
Holistic legal solutions
In today's increasingly regulated and digital environment, Ashurst's data practice will help you navigate the challenges of privacy compliance by providing holistic, practical and commercial legal solutions. Our expert team have in-depth global experience in developing data protection frameworks and assessments of data protection compliance and supporting clients on highly complex data transfer queries and preparation of transfer impact assessments. We advise on all aspects of data privacy including data regulation, data governance and data commercialisation, advising on issues arising from new technologies and regularly advise on privacy issues concerning AI and machine learning, digital platforms and digital identity. We are also there when things go wrong and can help you manage cyber risks and respond effectively to cybersecurity incidents and data breaches.
Valuing data as an asset
By embracing the perspective of considering data as a valuable asset, numerous possibilities arise to enhance revenue, elevate customer experience, accelerate the launch of new business ventures, and much more. Importantly, the breadth of our expertise enables us not only to assist our clients navigating the shifing challenges of compliance, but also to pusue new data-related opportunities emerging from the evolving data and technology ecosystems.
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Cybersecurity and Data Breach
We support our client with pragmatic advice, gained through real-world experience navigating cyber incidents, ransomware events and high impact crises.
Read moreCybersecurity and Data Breach
Practical experience gained through real-world experience
We support our client with pragmatic advice, gained through real-world experience navigating cyber incidents, ransomware events and high impact crises. We are unique, in our capability and experience in providing holistic cyber legal solutions utilising the combined strengths of our legal, consulting and delivery teams. The proficiency of our incident response team expedites the recuperation process in the aftermath of ransomware, data breaches and cyber attacks.
Helping you prevent breaches and respond to incidents
Our global data breach team have experience in dealing with and advising on privacy, reputation, regulatory, director's duties and other risk issues in relation to a variety of cyber threats. Our consulting team have deep expertise in developing strategic cyber risk programs to build cyber resilience, testing executive readiness and cyber Board reporting and governance. While our delivery team execute forensic investigations utilising technology in the identification and analysis of digital evidence.
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Information Technology and Communications
At Ashurst, we acknowledge the significant impact that fast-evolving technological advancements such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy technologies and robotics are having on our clients' business models, growth strategies and daily decision-making processes.
Read moreInformation Technology and Communications
Staying ahead of the curve
At Ashurst, we acknowledge the significant impact that fast-evolving technological advancements such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy technologies and robotics are having on our clients' business models, growth strategies and daily decision-making processes. While these technological changes present both opportunities and risks, our global Digital Economy team offers integrated and dynamic tech law advice to help clients stay ahead of the curve and outpace the rapid pace of change.
Cutting through the complexities
Ashurst cuts through the complexities to deliver practical commercial solutions to address your legal problems. Our wide-ranging expertise places us in an advantageous position to assist companies operating in sectors undergoing significant change and disruption, such as fintech, infratech and proptech. The group comprises digital experts who work hand in hand with our sector experts and lawyers in all legal disciplines and across our global network.
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Tech M&A
We possess the expertise to safeguard the value of a technology acquisition, joint venture, collaboration agreement, or capital raising, which may involve intellectual property, talent, data, or an innovative business model.
Read moreTech M&A
Digitisation encouraging deals
We possess the expertise to safeguard the value of a technology acquisition, joint venture, collaboration agreement, or capital raising, which may involve intellectual property, talent, data, or an innovative business model. In a fiercely competitive market where the best technology assets are in high demand, we know how to act swiftly and decisively. Our team will conduct a rapid assessment of the legal and regulatory aspects that could impact the long-term value of your investment or the success of your exit, instilling confidence in your decision-making.
Innovative advice for transactions across multiple jurisdictions
We work with public and private organisations of all sizes and at all stages of growth to execute transactions. We also advise institutional investors with fundraising, regulatory and investment activities. Our global team comprises of M&A and antitrust lawyers, IP and data experts, and lawyers with decades of experience working within government agencies that play an increasingly pivotal role in technology transactions.
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Commercial Contracts and Strategic Sourcing
In the era of technology-driven businesses, harnessing the advantages of technology is more crucial than ever before.
Read moreCommercial Contracts and Strategic Sourcing
Streamlining processes in the Digital Economy
In the era of technology-driven businesses, harnessing the advantages of technology is more crucial than ever before. Effective outsourcing and procurement are critical for businesses to control costs, develop and implement their core business strategies, and maximise the efficiency of support functions. Our technology lawyers possess extensive experience in handling strategic matters, intricate technology contracts, intellectual property and software commercialisation, digitalisation, and IT transformation. Our team has a strong track record of working seamlessly with our clients' project teams and adopting a hands-on approach to closing deals. This experience has provided us with valuable insights into the key factors that contribute to the success of large IT projects.
High profile commercial experience
Ashurst has a global team of lawyers focused on drafting and negotiating all types of commercial contracts. These include outsourcing and other service provision agreements; joint venture, strategic relationship, franchise and agency arrangements; and supply and manufacturing contracts; and cloud based service model arrangements. Our team proactively digitalises contracts, enabling businesses to streamline processes, store contracts securely and effectively manage contract portfolios.
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Media
The media and entertainment industry is undergoing constant evolution at an unrelenting pace, where digital technology and globalized content have given rise to a dynamic and tumultuous marketplace full of potential opportunities spanning broadcasting
Read moreMedia
New challenges for all media participants
The media and entertainment industry is undergoing constant evolution at an unrelenting pace, where digital technology and globalized content have given rise to a dynamic and tumultuous marketplace full of potential opportunities spanning broadcasting, print, social media, gaming, and the internet. We can assist clients in harnessing those opportunities both locally and globally.
A full-service media law practice
Ashurst has a full-service media law practice and acts for a range of prominent media organisations as well as government and corporate clients. Our team of media and entertainment lawyers possesses a strong track record of success collaborating with major industry players, providing an integrated and effective approach to achieving our clients' goals. We have experience in all media law issues, including pre-publication advice, copyright, broadcasting, media and communications regulatory issues, licensing and commercial transactions and litigation.
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Technology Disputes
As organisations increasingly collaborate with technology firms to digitalise systems and processes, the likelihood of disputation also increases so it is crucial to seek early input from experts to facilitate prompt resolution.
Read moreTechnology Disputes
Dealing with contentious legal issues
As organisations increasingly collaborate with technology firms to digitalise systems and processes, the likelihood of disputation also increases so it is crucial to seek early input from experts to facilitate prompt resolution. Technology disputes can stem from contract claims, misleading or deceptive conduct, negligence, copyright, equitable claims and licensing issues.
Achieving the optimal outcome
Ashurst can help you manage technology disputes to optimise outcomes and minimise costs. Our technology dispute resolution team possess in-depth understanding of the market, as well as the technical and commercial factors that drive it, enabling them to rapidly address the underlying issues without delay. Our team assesses and prepares evidence in technology disputes. They also work closely with our information technology contracts team, enabling a matter to move seamlessly from dispute negotiations to settlement.
Global AI Regulation Guide
Signposting the directions we anticipate future governance will take to balance regulation and innovation.
Outpacing the AI regulatory revolution – read more
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10 key legal and risk takeaways from the CrowdStrike outage to help you review essential risk management and readiness practices.
Find out moreWe understand your business
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Business Insight Australia: New AI safety "guardrails" and a targeted approach to high-risk settings
28 Nov 2024
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Business Insight European Union: leading the way with a legislative framework
28 Nov 2024
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Business Insight United Kingdom: a sector-based approach to AI with onus on established regulators
28 Nov 2024
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Legal development India’s Digital Economy: Unlocking Opportunities for Global Data Centres
26 Nov 2024
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Legal development Data Bytes 52: Your UK and European Data Privacy update for October 2024
07 Nov 2024
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Legal development Supervisory Authority of Baden-Württemberg issues discussion paper on AI
07 Nov 2024
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Legal development The UK's Data (Use and Access) Bill – Key Considerations
07 Nov 2024
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Legal development French Data Protection Authority fined two online clairvoyance companies
07 Nov 2024
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Our works, awards & rankings
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News Ashurst advises HSBC on its first digitally native corporate bond offering on HSBC Orion platform
30 Sep 2024
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News Ashurst advises Malaysian telco conglomerate Axiata on its acquisition of Bhadrti Airtel Lanka
24 Jul 2024
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News Ashurst advises AGL on strategic partnership and 20% equity interest acquisition in Kaluza
12 Jul 2024
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News Ashurst advises PureHealth on its acquisition of the Circle Health Group
Global law firm Ashurst has advised Pure Health on its acquisition of the Circle Health Group.
18 Jan 2024
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