Digital Infrastructure
Industries
Legal Support for the Businesses Behind the Network
Data centres, telecoms sites and network services depend on secure premises, reliable contracts and careful handling of data. Gurve Legal is a London-based commercial law firm advising digital infrastructure businesses, landowners and investors on the property, commercial, data protection and corporate issues that come with building, running and buying this kind of business.
We advise operators and the businesses they deal with: landlords and tenants of data centre and telecoms sites, suppliers and customers of hosting and managed services, and buyers and sellers of infrastructure businesses. Seeing both sides helps us negotiate terms that protect your position and keep the project moving.
Most of our clients are SMEs, owner-managed businesses and investors. We give clear, commercial advice in plain English, so you can make decisions quickly in a sector where downtime and delay are expensive.
Free Initial Discussion
To discuss how we can help and for a no-obligation quote, call 020 7566 1188, use the Book a Discovery Call button below or WhatsApp us. We can assist wherever you are based.
“After working with Gurve Legal, I was impressed by their dedication and professionalism. The team was friendly, knowledgeable, and provided the guidance I needed throughout the process.”
Google Review
Our Digital Infrastructure Legal Services
Data Centre and Network Property
The right site, on the right terms, underpins everything else. Our commercial property solicitors act on acquisitions, disposals and leases of data centre, exchange and equipment premises, with due diligence focused on what matters for an operational site.
- Freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals
- Leases of data halls, equipment rooms and plant areas
- Title, access and rights for cables and services
- Landlord consents for alterations and fit-out
Telecoms Site Agreements
Masts, rooftop equipment and fibre routes often sit on land owned by someone else. We advise landowners, landlords and businesses on agreements for telecoms equipment on their property, including how the Electronic Communications Code affects the terms and the options for ending or changing an agreement.
- Code agreements and wayleaves for masts, rooftops and fibre
- Reviewing operator requests and proposed terms
- Telecoms rights in leases, sales and developments
- Agreements on farmland and rural sites
Technology and Service Contracts
Hosting, colocation, connectivity and managed services agreements allocate risk when things go wrong. Our commercial contracts team drafts and negotiates agreements that reflect how your service actually runs.
- Colocation, hosting and managed services agreements
- Service levels, service credits and liability caps
- Supplier, reseller and customer terms
- Exit, transition and data return provisions
Data Protection and Cyber Security
Infrastructure providers often process personal data on behalf of their customers, and a security incident can affect many clients at once. Our data protection solicitors help you set up the right contracts and respond properly if something goes wrong.
- Controller and processor analysis
- Data processing agreements and security schedules
- International data transfers
- Data breach response and regulator notifications
Mergers, Acquisitions and Investment
Digital infrastructure businesses are attractive to buyers and investors. We act on share and asset deals, joint ventures and investment rounds, with joined-up due diligence on property, contracts and data. See our mergers and acquisitions page for more detail.
- Acquisitions and disposals of infrastructure businesses
- Due diligence on sites, customer contracts and data compliance
- Joint ventures for new sites and networks
- Shareholders’ agreements and investment terms
Employment and Disputes
We support growing teams with contracts and policies that protect confidential information, and we act in disputes over contracts, service failures and property.
- Employment contracts and restrictive covenants
- Contractor and consultant agreements
- Service failure and payment disputes
- Landlord and tenant disputes over sites
The Electronic Communications Code: Key Rules for Landowners and Operators
If a telecoms operator wants to place equipment on your land or building, or already has equipment there, the Electronic Communications Code sets the framework. It is in Schedule 3A to the Communications Act 2003 and has applied in full since 28 December 2017.
Key rules
- Agreements can be imposed: if a landowner will not agree, the operator can apply to the tribunal to impose an agreement. Under paragraph 21, the tribunal may do so only if any prejudice to the landowner can be adequately compensated by money and the public benefit outweighs that prejudice.
- Redevelopment: no agreement can be imposed if the landowner intends to redevelop the land, or neighbouring land, and could not reasonably do so if the agreement were imposed (paragraph 21(5)).
- Payment is not ransom value: consideration is based on market value, assessed on the assumption that the right does not relate to providing a network and that other sites are available to the operator (paragraph 24). This usually means lower payments than landowners expect.
- Written terms: a Code agreement must be in writing, signed by the parties, and must state matters such as the period of notice (if any) needed to end it (paragraph 11).
Data centres as Critical National Infrastructure
- On 12 September 2024 the government designated UK data centres as Critical National Infrastructure. The designation brings closer government support for the sector during critical incidents, and customers increasingly expect resilience and security commitments in contracts as a result.
Why Choose Gurve Legal
Property, Contracts and Data in One Place
Infrastructure matters cut across property, commercial contracts, data protection and corporate law. We bring these together so a site acquisition or business sale is handled as one co-ordinated matter.
Experience on Both Sides
We act for landlords and tenants, suppliers and customers, buyers and sellers. Knowing how the other side approaches a negotiation helps us secure workable terms for you.
Built for SMEs, Landowners and Investors
We focus on owner-managed businesses, landowners and investors rather than large corporates with in-house teams. Our advice is proportionate and commercially focused.
Clear Advice, Quickly
Delays on a site or contract can hold up revenue. We respond promptly, explain the position in plain English and tell you what we recommend.
Gunea Luthra
Senior Solicitor
Leads our digital infrastructure work
View Gunea’s profile
Frequently Asked Questions
The Code is the legal framework that gives telecoms operators rights to install, keep and maintain equipment on land and buildings. It is in Schedule 3A to the Communications Act 2003 and has applied in full since 28 December 2017. It can allow an operator to obtain rights even where the landowner does not agree.
An operator can apply to the tribunal to impose an agreement. The tribunal will only do so if any prejudice to you can be adequately compensated by money and the public benefit outweighs it, and it cannot impose an agreement where you intend to redevelop and could not reasonably do so with the equipment in place.
Under the Code, payment is based on market value assessed on special assumptions, including that the right does not relate to providing a network and that other sites are available. This removes the ransom value a landowner might otherwise expect, so it is worth taking advice before agreeing terms.
A colocation agreement should cover the space and power provided, access and security, service levels and credits, maintenance windows, liability caps, insurance and what happens at the end of the term. Each party's data protection role should also be clear.
It depends on the service. A pure colocation provider may not process customers' personal data at all, while a hosting or managed services provider often acts as a processor and needs a compliant data processing agreement. We help you work out your role and document it properly.
Buyers usually review title and leases for each site, telecoms and access rights, key customer and supplier contracts, change of control clauses, data protection compliance and employment terms. Problems found early can be dealt with through price, warranties or conditions.
Speak to Our Digital Infrastructure Solicitors
Whether you are acquiring a site, negotiating a telecoms agreement, updating your customer contracts or selling your business, we give clear, commercially focused advice to keep your project on track.
Get in touch with us
Related Services
Technology
Contracts, investment, IP and data protection for software and technology businesses.
Commercial Property
Buying, selling and leasing business premises, with thorough due diligence.
Data Protection
Data processing agreements, international transfers and breach response.