Stephen Pearne

Stephen is a commercial lawyer and Director of Legal Strategy and Operations and Head of Commercial at Harper James. He qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and has spent more than 25 years helping businesses navigate commercial contracts, technology agreements and the legal issues that come with growth.

Stephen specialises in commercial technology. He helps businesses structure, negotiate and manage the agreements that underpin technology products, services and digital platforms, combining detailed legal knowledge with a practical understanding of how technology businesses operate.

His work spans software-as-a-service agreements, online platforms, software development agreements, end-user licence agreements, mobile app terms and conditions, and agreements involving online gaming platforms. He also has experience in the life sciences sector, including agreements relating to protein synthesis and scientific databases.

Stephen’s interest in technology law began when he joined BT’s in-house legal team in 2002. Alongside a broad range of commercial work, he advised on supplier contracts connected with BT’s 21st Century Network programme.

He later established a boutique law firm, advising businesses through the rapid expansion of the internet and helping clients develop the terms, policies and contractual frameworks needed for online businesses, digital platforms and mobile applications.

Alongside his technology work, Stephen advises on a broad range of commercial matters, including:

• supply and purchasing agreements
• distribution agreements
• services agreements
• standard terms and conditions
• technology and software contracts
• digital platform and online business agreements

Stephen’s approach is commercial and tailored: he takes time to understand how each client operates, what it is trying to achieve and where the real risks lie before recommending a way forward.

For Stephen, the value of specialist legal advice comes from combining legal knowledge with experience and commercial judgement. Having encountered many of the issues businesses face more than once, he can help clients identify what matters, avoid unnecessary complexity and reach practical solutions more quickly.

Stephen lives in Cheltenham with his wife and three children. Outside work, he enjoys walking in the Cotswolds and tinkering with technology.

“Getting to know our clients and their businesses is one of the things I enjoy most about my work. No two businesses are the same, and experience allows me to tailor my approach to what each client genuinely needs.”