Outsourcing is not a new phenomenon. But there are signs
that it has been embraced with new vigour, as a means of achieving
more with less. Purchasers have learned some hard lessons
from the first generation of outsourcing deals. Now that the
balance of power has shifted from suppliers to customers, customers
are keen to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
Paradoxically, this has created a new danger of over-engineered,
one sided contracts, leading to fractious relationships.
Like many law firms, Beachcroft has considerable expertise in
outsourcing IT and business processes. However, successful
outsourcing involves far more than technical legal expertise.
We understand the business drivers and critical success factors
which shape successful outsourcing relationships, as well as the
regulatory environment within which they must operate. We
believe that 'less is more' when it comes to outsourcing contracts,
and our focus is on scope of service, service standards, people
issues, price, governance, and transition and exit
arrangements.
Beachcroft has advised on outsourcing contracts across all
sectors, including financial services and health, covering every
conceivable kind of service : IT, business process, HR, cleaning,
catering, logistics & supply chain, estates management, managed
equipment, offshoring, shared services, and so on. Deal
values have ranged from £1 million - £1 billion, and our skills
& experience are extremely varied. We have advised on
sourcing strategies, deal structures and pricing, run
procurement competitions, created data rooms and organised due
diligence, worked with multi-disciplinary teams in Europe and the
United States, project managed lawyers in other jurisdictions,
managed the transfer of third party contracts, and provided expert
training to the many professionals involved in complex outsourcing
arrangements. And of course we're very familiar with the
complex HR and pensions issues which crop up when making or exiting
from outsourcing relationships.
Possessing a large ex in-house contingent, the team advises
primarily on supplier-side outsourcing matters to both
multinational companies and smaller local firms, and is praised for
being "in-house lawyer-friendly." (Chambers 2008, Information
Technology, South West)