IT systems and services

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

This subtopic includes guidance and precedent documents relating to the procurement and use of IT systems and the provision of IT services. IT systems can include software, hardware or both, as well as associated communications networks. This subtopic supplements other topics and subtopics dealing specifically with IT outsourcing, cloud computing, software and telecommunications.

Systems development and integration

System development agreements govern a wide range of projects from the straightforward to the large, complex and costly. The objective is usually simple: to create an IT system meeting the customer’s needs in a trouble-free way, by an agreed time and for an agreed price. However, this simple ambition often masks a mass of complexity reflecting the underlying complexity of IT systems themselves.

Practical matters, including the methodology for the project, the components of the system and how the system should work in real-life conditions, each fundamentally affect the issues that a development agreement must address. Without a clear working knowledge of the commercial and technical issues, there is a good chance that lawyers will produce contracts which are divorced from reality and inadequately address the risks.

In addition,

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest TMT News

ASA rulings—23 July 2025

Two complaints were received by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) concerning misleading pricing on the LoveHolidays website. The ASA upheld the complaints.

The final General-Purpose AI Code of Practice—A short guide

EU law analysis: Verena Kirchmair, Quentin Fontaine and Elisabeth Gschösser associates; Lutz Riede, Theresa Ehlen, Satya Staes Polet and Christoph Wekmeister, partners and Davide Borelli, counsel of Freshfields LLP, consider the three chapters of the final General-Purpose AI Code of Practice and their legal and practical implications for AI providers.

European Commission launches consultation on cyberbullying action plan

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on its proposed action plan against cyberbullying. The plan aims to create a comprehensive European Union (EU) approach to tackling online abuse, building on the Better internet for kids strategy and Digital Services Act. The initiative focuses primarily on protecting minors while extending considerations to vulnerable groups aged up to 29, including people with disabilities, LGBTIQ individuals and migrants. Responses are sought by 29 September 2025 with the final action plan intended to be adopted in Q1 2026.

DCMS announces music industry adopts new creator remuneration principles

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed that the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), with support from the Association of Independent Music (AIM), has developed new industry principles for music creator remuneration. The measures, adopted by UK divisions of Universal Music, Sony Music and Warner Music, include provisions to disregard certain unrecouped advances, establish contract renegotiation pathways, and implement minimum session musician fees as agreed between BPI and Musicians' Union in December 2024. DCMS will assess implementation over 12 months, with the package aiming to deliver £10m per year in new investment by 2030 through the Music Growth Package.

View TMT by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

What are perpetual, irrevocable and royalty-free licences?

What are perpetual, irrevocable and royalty-free licences?Licences are sometimes expressed to be ‘perpetual’, ‘irrevocable’ or ‘royalty-free’, but those terms can be interpreted in a variety of ways. It is important to properly specify what these terms mean in each case:•‘perpetual’ licences:

What do the words ‘defend, indemnify and hold harmless’ mean?

What do the words ‘defend, indemnify and hold harmless’ mean?Contractual words and phrases such as the term 'defend, indemnify and hold harmless' have no single meaning and must be construed in the context in which they are used. Accordingly, the meaning of this term will ultimately depend on the

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid
What are perpetual, irrevocable and royalty-free licences?

What are perpetual, irrevocable and royalty-free licences?

What are perpetual, irrevocable and royalty-free licences?Licences are sometimes expressed to be ‘perpetual’, ‘irrevocable’ or ‘royalty-free’, but those terms can be interpreted in a variety of ways. It is important to properly specify what these terms mean in each case:•‘perpetual’ licences:

What do the words ‘defend, indemnify and hold harmless’ mean?

What do the words ‘defend, indemnify and hold harmless’ mean?

What do the words ‘defend, indemnify and hold harmless’ mean?Contractual words and phrases such as the term 'defend, indemnify and hold harmless' have no single meaning and must be construed in the context in which they are used. Accordingly, the meaning of this term will ultimately depend on the

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid