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Business Legal Services
SaaS Agreements
Safeguard your business’ integral processes and data by undergoing a comprehensive legal review of your SaaS agreement.
SaaS agreements can offer exceptional value for money but only if the terms provide adequate protection for your business and your data. Customer protection is often overlooked in the provider’s standard terms and conditions, but we can help you ensure that your needs are catered for.
Experts in IT & commercial technology
In addition to drafting, negotiating and reviewing SaaS agreements, our team can assist you across all areas of IT & commercial technology law, including:
Protect and maximise the cost-benefits of SaaS agreements
Our team of IT and commercial technology solicitors can support you with:
Advice on the protection
your business requires in relation to SaaS services.
Consideration of the jurisdiction and governing law clauses
where there is a cross-border relationship between your business and the provider.
Discussion of the options
available to your business to determine whether a SaaS package is the optimum arrangement for your needs.
Due diligence
in connection with the SaaS provider and the services offered.
Fee structure
in respect of the SaaS services.
Licensing requirements
including software licences and content licences.
Market practice
to enable you to determine your negotiating position.
Negotiation
of the terms of the SaaS agreement to provide you with the necessary protections.
Reducing the risks
associated with SaaS arrangements, including data loss, data protection breaches, increased fees, and liability issues.
Review of SaaS agreements and related documentation
ensuring that you are fully aware of the terms and their effects.
Risk analysis
allowing you to make reasoned decisions about the issues which matter to your business.
Security issues
whether these relate to IT security, physical security, data security or the provider’s personnel.
Technical and practical tips
to ensure that your business enters into the most beneficial and reliable SaaS agreement.
Tender processes
reviewing the terms of each SaaS provider.
Terminating
a SaaS agreement.
Essential elements of a SaaS agreement to consider:
With excellent cost-benefit potential, SaaS agreements can help to streamline your standard business processes without the complexities of entering into individual software agreements. Using standard software and the software provider’s own terms and conditions can incur risk and potentially off-set the benefits. So, we’ll help you answer the following questions ahead of signing on the dotted line so that you can get what you really need from the contract.
- What are the main contractual concerns for your business?
- What does the fee cover, for example, are there limits on user numbers or storage capability? Will the provider assist with configuration and ongoing support, and will the price increase in the future?
- How will business critical systems be protected?
- How can the SaaS contract be terminated? What are the transition arrangements following termination?
- What are the agreed service levels?
- What remedies are there if there is a service failure or the service levels are not met?
- Are appropriate IP indemnities in place?
- What data protection processes does the provider have in place?
- What are the risks of data loss? Does the provider have appropriate recovery or back-up plans in place?
- Can the provider use your data for certain purposes?
- Is the provider able to delete your data for any reason? What protections are in place to prevent this or to notify you?
- Where is the provider based? Are there governing law and jurisdiction issues under the contract?
- Are the arrangements compliant with legislation, both domestic and overseas?
- Has the provider limited its liability in any way?
Benefits of a carefully reviewed SaaS agreement
Protection for your business processes and data
Investing in legal advice at the start of the process will provide protection for your data and your business and reduce the possibility of time-consuming and costly disputes in the future. It’s easier to negotiate additional protections at the start of a relationship rather than later on, when the documentation has already been signed.
Good customer-provider relationship
Undertaking careful review and consideration of the various SaaS providers available and their terms will ensure that you enter into a relationship with a SaaS provider that is right for your business.
Streamlined and consistent approach to your business processes
Generic business processes, such as payroll, HR, and accounting, can be provided with tried and tested software resulting in reliability and consistency.
Save time and money
Using software pursuant to a SaaS arrangement can be much cheaper than other options and once the arrangements have been agreed, the systems can be put in place quickly and easily.
Who we help: National businesses across numerous sectors
We support a wide range of UK-based clients, from start-ups, through to SMEs and large multi-nationals across many sectors. We have many IT and e-commerce sector clients and so fully understand the nature of IT businesses, enabling us to offer you pragmatic and sector-specific advice on your IT contracts.
Testimonials
What our clients say
Quick, concise and best of all reasonably priced
Tim Pedley
Company Secretary,
Biorelate Ltd
When I heard about Harper James’s Enable subscription service, it struck me as being a disruptive model and I was really impressed. One of the main things about Harper James is that I actually use their services without hesitation. We’ve experienced high levels of professionalism with Harper James, and all for a reasonable cost.
Nick Thompson
MD,
DCSL Software
As with any business, we need access to good quality legal advice without the fear of facing huge legal fees. The service provided by Harper James is ideal because they are always available to assist and we know that the advice provided is of outstanding quality, with pricing that is cost effective and completely transparent.
Laura Bowen
Director,
Admedo
As a young company, getting the right advice regarding staff, contracts, policies and procedures can be crucial. Harper James delivers this for us with professional, expert lawyers across all our desired areas, who are always able to provide all the support we need and more. This has enabled us to concentrate more on growing and developing our business.
Imogen Wethered
CEO,
Qudini
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
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
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
Excellent service. Expert, high quality advice that I have real confidence in. Timely. Good communication and friendly/easy to work with.
Andrew Chalmers
CEO,
CiteAb Limited
Quick, concise and best of all reasonably priced
Tim Pedley
Company Secretary,
Biorelate Ltd
When I heard about Harper James’s Enable subscription service, it struck me as being a disruptive model and I was really impressed. One of the main things about Harper James is that I actually use their services without hesitation. We’ve experienced high levels of professionalism with Harper James, and all for a reasonable cost.
Nick Thompson
MD,
DCSL Software
As with any business, we need access to good quality legal advice without the fear of facing huge legal fees. The service provided by Harper James is ideal because they are always available to assist and we know that the advice provided is of outstanding quality, with pricing that is cost effective and completely transparent.
Laura Bowen
Director,
Admedo
As a young company, getting the right advice regarding staff, contracts, policies and procedures can be crucial. Harper James delivers this for us with professional, expert lawyers across all our desired areas, who are always able to provide all the support we need and more. This has enabled us to concentrate more on growing and developing our business.
Imogen Wethered
CEO,
Qudini
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
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
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
Excellent service. Expert, high quality advice that I have real confidence in. Timely. Good communication and friendly/easy to work with.
Andrew Chalmers
CEO,
CiteAb Limited
Why choose Harper James Solicitors?
We can support you with all of your SaaS arrangements from choosing the best provider for your needs and negotiation of the material terms and protections through to termination of the relationship. Our specialist IT and commercial technology solicitors can guide you through this complex area, ensuring that your business and data are adequately protected. Our IT and commercial technology solicitors are all specialists within the industry, as well as having expertise in other commercial areas, ensuring that a seamless service is provided, regardless of your sector and business.
We’ll also look beyond your initial requirements on negotiating a SaaS contract. In fact, the team at Harper James can provide your business with all the legal support you may need to progress, from drafting vital commercial contracts, to providing GDPR training for your data protection officer, advising you on the right employee incentive plans for your team, and much more. We take a wider view of your business to make sure you have the legal support in place to succeed, whatever the sector, and whatever level of assistance you may need.
Get to know the team in more detail:
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.