Inner Hero banner Image

Software Service Disputes

When software services don’t perform as promised, the consequences can be serious. We help businesses resolve software service disputes, protect their position and achieve practical outcomes fast.

Expert legal advice for your software and software service disputes

We cut through complex software and software service disputes with evidence-led, commercially focused tactics that cut noise, cost and risk.

Whether the issue relates to cloud-based or SaaS products, critical ERP, CRM or SCM systems, or cybersecurity and data protection software, software disputes can drain management time and hit your bottom line. We combine sector insight with disciplined case management to restore service, recover loss, or exit cleanly

Common software service disputes we can help with

SLA breaches & chronic underperformance

  • Availability and incident response

Programme delivery

  • Missed milestones, acceptance failure, and re-baselining
  • App and software development disputes

Change control & charging

  • Scope and rates disputes
  • Benchmarking

Transition/exit

  • Step-in rights
  • Knowledge transfer
  • Disentangling data and tooling

Key contact

James Hartley's Profile

James Hartley

Partner & Divisional Head of Dispute Resolution

How we resolve service disputes

How we resolve service disputes

  • Contract & MI audit – to get to the root of the dispute quickly
  • Root-cause and remediation plans that work operationally – we work with other experts in their field to keep your business moving while we resolve the dispute
  • Commercial to the core – we listen to your commercial goals and drive the dispute in that direction, using our experience and leveraging legal tech to add value
  • Escalation to ADR or court when needed – when escalation is inevitable, we are in your corner

Recent service disputes experience

  • Acted for a software solutions provider in a £1.5m dispute with a global software company regarding royalties, maintenance fees, and alleged breaches under a value-added reseller agreement.

  • Advised and assisted clients who were dissatisfied with payroll and reporting systems, resolving issues with contract management and fees.

  • Represented a national logistics company in claim against a software supplier relating to route and load planning systems, with proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC).

Testimonials

  • "The team is excellent and can handle large and complex IT disputes. They give solid and realistic advice and are great at including counsel into t...

    The Legal 500, 2026

  • "James Hartley and Freeths deserve huge credit for taking on this case. What is now recognised as the biggest miscarriage of justice in British his...

    Client testimonial

  • PGK

    "This was David v Goliath litigation, on a large scale; from the outside, the difficulties which the claimants faced now seem masked by the scale o...

    Patrick Green KC

    Henderson Chambers

  • "Their dedication and expertise was extraordinary and they deserve due recognition for the vital and central role they played in unmasking the inju...

    Client testimonial

  • KF

    "In the face of ferocious denial of the claim by Post Office and its lawyers, and even when it looked like it could go either way on technical lega...

    Karl Flinders, Chief reporter

    Computer Weekly

Related news & articles

Subscribe to our mailing list
1 of 1
  • Article

    Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA): What UK Financial Services Firms Need to Know

  • Article

    Cryptoasset Recovery in England & Wales: Exchanges, Custody Structures and PSP Duties (Asset Tracing After D’Aloia and Jones)

  • Article

    The ICE Arbitration Procedure – A practical guide

  • Article

    How AI Is changing customer complaints in automotive retail

  • Article

    Commercial Agents Regulations 1993: What still matters and how to manage the risks

  • Article

    Information Commissioner publishes response to Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill

  • Article

    European Commission renews UK adequacy decisions until 27 December 2031

  • Article

    Getting shirty over non-compete restrictions: Lessons from Tom James UK Ltd v Potter

  • Article

    Moving representation forward: Practical steps toward gender equality in arbitration

  • Article

    FCA Motor Finance Redress Consultation: What’s Next?

  • Article

    Data Protection Update | Autumn 2025

  • Article

    Service or Good? Software-as-a-Service in the case of Kompakwerk GmbH v Liveperson Netherlands B.V. (2024)

  • Article

    Selling items from Household Waste Recycling Centres: Navigating Consumer Rights

  • Article

    FCA unveils landmark Motor Finance Redress Scheme

  • Article

    Care home operators are increasingly turning to AI for help - but why?

  • Article

    Surviving the consultation: Commercial Agents Regulations 1993 remain, but what does this mean for agents?

  • Article

    The FCA’s Redress Scheme: What lenders and dealers need to know now

  • Article

    The Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993 (“CARs”) explained

  • Article

    Data Protection Update | Summer 2025

  • News

    Freeths expands Scottish footprint with key partner hire in Glasgow

Get in touch

Contact us today

Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.

Telephone

Get in touch

For general enquiries, please complete this form and we will direct your message to the most appropriate person.