Oliver Sainter

Senior Associate

Get in touch

London

Oliver primarily acts for private sector clients, focusing on major retailers and ecommerce businesses, consumer brands, technology suppliers, and big tech companies. He specialises in complex technology disputes and commercial actions with a technical element, particularly those involving software (development, integration, licensing, and copyright), outsourcing and cloud services, and emerging technologies including AI and cryptocurrencies. His work also covers commercial claims in an IT context, including cybersecurity and data protection matters, and confidentiality breaches and related claims concerning trade secrets and copyright.

"Technology … is always relevant, and a hugely challenging and rewarding sector to work within."

"Technology, and the people and business behind it, shape how we live, work and interact with the world, driving innovation, economic growth and social progress. It is always relevant, and a hugely challenging and rewarding sector to work within."

My work is frequently international. I have extensive experience of jurisdictional and private international law issues, and of cross-border disputes and parallel proceedings (covering both litigation and arbitration), largely involving parties and the courts in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Oliver's recent work highlights

Advising a Kuwaiti conglomerate operating in the MENA region in respect of arbitration proceedings seated in Paris, concerning a franchise development agreement. Included appeals to the French Court of Cassation and the UK Supreme Court in respect of the operation of choice of law agreements under the New York Convention.

Acting for a big tech platform in a proposed opt-out class action valued at c.£1bn, concerning the operation of a mobile app store and the distribution of services to app developers.

Advising multiple parties in respect of the alleged wrongful transfer of a portfolio of domain names used and controlled by a retail group, involving proceedings for injunctive relief and allegations of unlawful means conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty.

Acted in countless IT project disputes concerning defects and claims for alleged loss of profits, and related copyright, trade secrets and breach of confidence disputes (including team moves and allegations of source code and data theft).

Author of Designs Law and Practice (3rd edn, LexisNexis Butterworths 2023) Chapter 7: Overview of EU design rights and the impact of Brexit.