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Business Legal Services
Cloud Service Agreements
Regulate your relationship with your cloud customer or cloud services provider with specialist legal support to protect your business.
Cloud services and the delivery of IT services via the internet are vital to the operation of most businesses. Your business needs cloud service agreements in place prepared by experts who understand your IT and business needs to ensure your business has the flexibility, mobility, performance, and security it requires from its cloud service provision.
Experts in IT & commercial technology
In addition to drafting, negotiating and reviewing cloud service agreements, our team can assist you across all areas of IT & commercial technology law, including:
Protect your business interests with a specialist cloud service agreement
Our team of specialist IT & Commercial Technology solicitors can support you with:
Advice on cloud service agreement strategy for cloud service providers
Including reviewing existing cloud service agreements and ensuring they remain fit for purpose.
Advising on GDPR compliance and policies.
Any software disputes and resolution.
Help in understanding the basics and complexities of cloud service agreements for cloud service customers and the importance of key terminology in the agreement.
Cloud service provision with different types of IT services
From single applications delivered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) to data centres transitioned to the cloud using Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
Public and private cloud services
Using different technology from single customer-outsourced infrastructures as private clouds to multi-tenancy public cloud platforms.
Assisting in the evaluation of risk that comes with the use of the cloud services.
Customer data clauses
To ensure clarity on who owns and is responsible for the accuracy and quality of the business data as well as the treatment of data privacy, security, and back-up policy.
Encryption of data in cloud services.
Cloud payment models in cloud service agreements
For example, usage-based payment models offered as part of cloud services and the impact of increased usage on the storage of information and use of data.
Drafting and reviewing the full range of cloud service agreements from the provision of software, platforms, and infrastructure as a service and public, private, hybrid or community clouds.
Sector-specific advice for the use of cloud services
For example, in the financial services sector, guidance has been issued by the Financial Conduct Authority on outsourcing to the cloud.
Pre-contract due diligence
We’ll look at whether your proposed cloud services flag up legal issues such as hybrid cloud usage or jurisdiction and licensing issues for international usage (e.g. whether a customer’s overseas branch offices are accessing the services via a UK-based central computer node).
Software licencing for use of cloud applications to avoid copyright infringement.
Software and IPR licensing considerations
Ensuring the cloud service provider has the right to authorise the use of the software in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which your business operates with appropriate IPR indemnity in the event of a third-party claim.
Expertly drafted cloud service agreements
For a cloud service agreement you need the right expert support from the outset, so you understand the agreement and get the best out of the provision of cloud services.
Working with you to understand your requirements, and how those may change as your business grows, we will help you answer the following questions when drafting a cloud service agreement for your benefit:
- Has the description of the cloud services provision been clearly defined in the agreement?
- What will the duration of the agreement be?
- What fee structure will be set out in the agreement? Will it be periodic charging with a subscription fee or usage-based charging? Are additional fees payable in respect of data stored in excess of the data storage limit?
- What are the agreed service levels and service credit arrangements?
- Does the cloud service agreement include any warranties?
- What will happen if things go wrong?
- What business continuity and escrow provision is contained in the agreement? Is there a right to audit and test the continuity provision or does the cloud service provider offer accreditations or certifications?
- Does the agreement include indemnities in respect of potential losses that may be suffered by the cloud service user?
- Does the agreement limit the liabilities of the provider? Will the limitation of liabilities expose the business to claims that are not covered by the cloud service agreement in the event of major loss of data or breaches in security?
- What remedies are provided for under the agreement, for example, if there is a delay in the provision of contracted services?
- Can the terms of the cloud service agreement be varied by the parties?
- In what circumstances can the cloud service agreement be terminated? Does the agreement detail any exit support?
Benefits of relying on an expertly drafted cloud service agreement
Save money and reduce IT overheads
Cloud users do not need to install software or operate their own applications and data servers as a cloud service provider will host the applications and provide the required computing power from their data centres. That means with the protection of the right cloud service agreement your business can benefit from economies of scale and reduce the costs of IT service provision.
Access improved support and technology
Cloud services are designed to be user-friendly and to expand or contract with your business while minimising specific training requirements and providing the maintenance and support your business needs. This, combined with access to the data and applications your business requires, means your IT function can focus on continued innovation.
Save time and money on physical data storage
With the use of cloud storage your business can reduce time spent on accessing stored material and reduce physical storage overheads though use of technology supported by the protection of a cloud service agreement. Whether you need information and data for regulatory compliance purposes, internal or external audits, marketing, or customer purposes the information is always readily to hand.
Who we help: From start-up to multi-national businesses
Whatever your level of digital and tech know-how our approachable, no-nonsense solicitors can support you with all your digital law and cloud service agreement needs so you can get the best out of the cloud for your business. But beyond that, we can also support you with any other business legal services you may need. Our aim at Harper James Solicitors is to swiftly provide scaling businesses with affordable support via our legal subscription plans – tailored plans that get you access to partner-level expertise at a fraction of the cost of traditional law firms. With a fully integrated team of commercial and corporate solicitors we’re able to offer you a trusted team of experts that will help your business prosper, whatever your legal requirements.
Testimonials
What our clients say
We often need legal advice quickly, especially during sales with new customers, and Rob is very responsive and always available for meetings. When I was looking for a law firm, I wanted that full range of services, as I knew we’d need advice outside of the tech remit. The flexibility has been really positive.
Ivan Harding
CEO and Co-Founder,
Applaud
For us, the support of Harper James Solicitors has been a gift. The collaboration we have had has been of tremendous importance. The service has been superb value for money.
Iraklis Bourantas
COO,
Novoville
Twipes really felt as though we were being treated personally, rather than just customers: that is the great Harper James Experience.
Alborz Bozorgi
Co-Founder,
Twipes
Knowing you have that level of legal support enables any new business to be able to move forward with more confidence. With Harper James we have that - and more.
Julian Cook
CEO and Co-Founder,
Howamigoing
Harper James removes the stress for us. I know that we can get advice quickly, without some sort of golden clock being turned on when you pick up the phone. This means we can focus on running the business.
Tom Davenport
Co-Founder,
TalentPool
Harper James solicitors don’t speak in the legalese which I have heard too many times from other solicitors and which is totally unhelpful. What I’m after is focused, considered advice about the specific situations that I face. By which I mean, do you think this is a good idea? Their response might be ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. One word is often all I’m looking for! My solicitor gives a view and I really value that.
Tom Davenport
MD & Co-Founder,
Alvius
Having the Extend plan with Harper James gives us constant access to leading legal experts across the areas of law we need to keep growing our business. I’m convinced no one delivers better service or beatable value.
Paul Hutton
CEO,
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions
When you’re a start-up, you have to find creative ways to do everything you need to do. And you need to find people who can help you. Harper James can advise us on contracts just as well as a blue-chip London or New York law firm, but at a much lower hourly rate.
Jeff Kofman
CEO and Founder,
Trint
We often need legal advice quickly, especially during sales with new customers, and Rob is very responsive and always available for meetings. When I was looking for a law firm, I wanted that full range of services, as I knew we’d need advice outside of the tech remit. The flexibility has been really positive.
Ivan Harding
CEO and Co-Founder,
Applaud
For us, the support of Harper James Solicitors has been a gift. The collaboration we have had has been of tremendous importance. The service has been superb value for money.
Iraklis Bourantas
COO,
Novoville
Twipes really felt as though we were being treated personally, rather than just customers: that is the great Harper James Experience.
Alborz Bozorgi
Co-Founder,
Twipes
Knowing you have that level of legal support enables any new business to be able to move forward with more confidence. With Harper James we have that - and more.
Julian Cook
CEO and Co-Founder,
Howamigoing
Harper James removes the stress for us. I know that we can get advice quickly, without some sort of golden clock being turned on when you pick up the phone. This means we can focus on running the business.
Tom Davenport
Co-Founder,
TalentPool
Harper James solicitors don’t speak in the legalese which I have heard too many times from other solicitors and which is totally unhelpful. What I’m after is focused, considered advice about the specific situations that I face. By which I mean, do you think this is a good idea? Their response might be ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. One word is often all I’m looking for! My solicitor gives a view and I really value that.
Tom Davenport
MD & Co-Founder,
Alvius
Having the Extend plan with Harper James gives us constant access to leading legal experts across the areas of law we need to keep growing our business. I’m convinced no one delivers better service or beatable value.
Paul Hutton
CEO,
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions
When you’re a start-up, you have to find creative ways to do everything you need to do. And you need to find people who can help you. Harper James can advise us on contracts just as well as a blue-chip London or New York law firm, but at a much lower hourly rate.
Jeff Kofman
CEO and Founder,
Trint
Why choose Harper James Solicitors?
Cloud service provision is now the norm for many UK businesses for the delivery of all or part of their IT services. That’s why we support a wide range of UK-based clients from entrepreneurs to multi-nationals with their IT law and cloud service agreements. Whether your business is low tech or high tech, you need to understand the business benefits of the use of the cloud and the protection that a water-tight agreement provide. Our specialist IT & Commercial Technology solicitors can talk to you in language you understand about your best options and the protection that a cloud service agreement offers to both client service agreement providers and users.
Our team of IT solicitors have all been recruited from top 100 UK law firms or from large international businesses and have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through the complexities of cloud agreements to ensure your business is protected. Find out more about the team here:
Pricing and service plans
Legal support designed
to fit your business needs
Our three transparent service plans are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
Engage
Flexible access to senior solicitors at highly competitive rates
An alternative to our subscription plans, offering access to full service legal expertise on a project-by-project basis.
Enable
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £215 per month, with £145 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
Extend
Comprehensive legal partnership for established businesses
Fully account managed and scalable annual subscription plan with support from a curated team of partners and senior solicitors, with up to 34% discount on our Standard Rates.