Stuart specialises in information and communications technology (ICT). He advises on ICT deals and issues for both the private and public sector, with clients ranging from website developers to government departments and multi-nationals.

Stuart has worked on a wide variety of projects for both customers and vendors. He leverages this experience to assist clients strike deals that are appropriately balanced and focus on their business needs. Stuart assists at all stages from working through the various risks, approaches and options, to preparing and negotiating the agreements.

Stuart has been with the firm since 2002, following an in-house IT legal role at Unisys where he has since been seconded for extended periods.

Practice Areas and Experience

Practice areas and experience include:

• IT and telecommunications outsourcing;
• procurement of telecommunications infrastructure and services;
• software procurement, implementation, development, licensing, distribution, reselling, support, maintenance and escrow;
• open source software, ASP, ERP, and CMS;
• hardware and systems procurement, implementation, integration, support and maintenance;
• Master Agreements, Service Level Agreements and Terms of Business;
• website development, hosting, support and terms of use;
• standard terms of business; and
• teaming agreements, confidentiality and privacy.

Recent Work

• SAP software implementation for a publicly listed company;
• Advised in relation to the implementation of a national high capacity, high-speed network including preparing and negotiating the master agreement with the primary service provider and advice and drafting in relation to related agreements with other providers;
• Outsourcing of inter-site telecommunications services for a Local Authority Trading Enterprise (LATE);
• Outsourcing of ICT services for a publicly listed company;
• Outsourcing of ICT services for a Wellington based Ministry; and
• Server hosting and SAN service for a LATE.

Professional Associations and Qualifications

Stuart is a member of the New Zealand Law Society, the New Zealand Computer Society, the Technology Law Society, Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand Inc., New Zealand Open Source Society and Unlimited Potential. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury.