Expertise
Kiran Sandford is one of the UK’s leading IT lawyers. She has an exceptional track record in advising both users and suppliers on all aspects of IT, technology and communications-related law.
Her expertise covers outsourcing, software development and licensing, systems supply and procurement, data protection and privacy, digital delivery and all internet/e-business issues.
She acts for clients of all sizes - from new businesses to established multi-national companies. She is often involved in developing cutting-edge industry models and assisting technology sector companies to put them in place.
Kiran is a member of Mishcon de Reya’s India Group. She has a thorough understanding of the process of securing IT and outsourcing contracts in the country and is a regular visitor to India-based clients and contacts.
Key Experience and Clients
- Advised a number of users on systems procurement (ranging from small standard systems to big ticket bespoke systems).
- Acted for a global leader in the oil and energy sector on a number of significant international IT projects.
- Advised users and suppliers on outsourcing arrangements (including onshore and offshore service level agreements and benchmarking - particularly in relation to India).
- Advised an offshore supplier on outsourcing agreements with key UK and international customers.
- Advised a number of clients on resolving problems that had arisen in relation to their existing IT procurement and outsourcing projects.
- Advised a provider of digital and other electronic services to the leisure sector on all aspects of its business model including regulatory issues and arrangements with suppliers, customers and joint venture partners.
- Regular advice to multi-national companies on their support and service level agreements with IT suppliers.
- Advised on a multi-million pound project covering infrastructure build, hardware supply and the development of proprietary software. Coordinated internal and external legal teams and IT consultants based in the UK and other jurisdictions. Played an instrumental role in evaluating the projects, identifying potential project pitfalls and recommending appropriate legal solutions.
- Advised a leading Indian outsourcing supplier on the transfer of personal data overseas in the context of transactions with its major customers (e.g. investment banks).
- Advised a leading Indian outsourcing supplier on various outsourcing transactions with its major customers (e.g. mobile telecommunications providers).
- Advised an international investment bank on IT matters for its group companies including large-scale procurement of PCs and the supply of electronic services to several thousand sites throughout the UK.
Professional Memberships
Computer Law Association
The Computer Law Association (CLA) is one of the world’s largest international organisations of IT lawyers. It is at the forefront of developments in IT law and its members include some of the most respected IT legal professionals in the world. In May 2004, Kiran was elected to the board as one of only two UK board members.
NASSCOM
NASSCOM is India’s National Association of Software and Service Companies - the premier trade body and the Chamber of Commerce for the IT software and services industry in India. Mishcon de Reya has a close involvement with NASSCOM and has undertaken several joint projects. Kiran was a speaker on IT matters at their annual conference in Mumbai in February 2005.
National Outsourcing Association
Mishcon de Reya is a member of the National Outsourcing Association (NOA) - an independent, not-for-profit trade association. Its objective is to leverage effective business and promote best practice, service and innovation in the application and development of outsourcing.
Global Business Partnership Alliance
The Global Business Partnership Alliance is a newly formed international alliance bringing supplier and user communities together to develop best practice in global partnering. Mishcon de Reya is one of the founder members of the GBPA alongside companies such as Hewlett Packard and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein. Kiran sat on a recent panel at an event focusing on outsourcing together with speakers from Xansa, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and GE Capital.
British Computer Society
Society for Computers and Law
Career History
- Head of IT, Mishcon de Reya
- Partner, Mishcon de Reya
- Partner, Taylor Wessing
- Partner, Speechley Bircham
- 1984 Qualified
Articles and Publications
Kiran writes and speaks regularly on IT matters. Her speaking engagements for the Computer Law Association include annual conferences in Amsterdam (2004) and India (2005). She was also co-chair of conference in Washington DC (2004). She has also spoken at the NASSCOM conference in Mumbai (2005) and has commented on IT matters on the BBC and CNN.
Awards and Accolades
Kiran has been recognised as an expert in E-Commerce & IT in "Legal Experts 2008".
Languages
French.