Simon has extensive experience of complex technology and outsourcing disputes, advising both users and suppliers of IT, commercial and outsourcing services.
Simon regularly works closely with, and as part of the firm's leading non-contentious TMT Sector team, and his work ordinarily involves him acting on business critical and flagship digital transformation projects where the emphasis is as often on risk management and dispute avoidance as it is on pursuing more formal dispute resolution.
In acting for clients in relation to TMT and outsourcing disputes for over 25 years Simon has advised private sector and Government clients on claims for hundreds of millions of pounds in relation to some of the world's largest IT contracts which have been resolved through mediation, litigation or arbitration.
Simon has a national reputation for the depth of his knowledge and expertise in relation to heavyweight IT projects-related litigation and regularly provides training and delivers workshops for clients.
Simon’s clients include Government departments, major retail banks and insurance companies, airlines, outsourcing and IT service providers, and various brand name and multinational companies.
- advising the NHS National IT Programme (one of the world's largest ever IT procurements) in respect of contract issues, dispute prevention and dispute resolution over a number of years including the resolution of a very large and high value dispute with one major supplier by way of arbitration proceedings
- advising a major UK Government Department in relation to negotiations with two suppliers and regarding potential claims against those suppliers in relation to two multi £hundred million contracts relating to a next generation services network
- advising a number of UK Government Departments in relation to risks and disputes in relation to major IT and critical national infrastructure projects as part of multi-disciplinary teams and achieving successful outcomes
- advising a major UK retail bank in relation to a number of multi-million pound risks and disputes and so helping to keep its flagship digital transformation project on track and helping to achieve a reset of the contract on favourable terms
- advising a number of UK financial and asset based lending institutions threatened with the cessation of service regarding business critical IT platforms in the context of software licensing disputes and so protecting their right to continued and uninterrupted service including the preparation of injunctive proceedings to protect their business interests
- advising a major Indian IT and Outsourcing provider in relation to damages claims of approximately $20 million intimated by an international mobile telecommunications operator which related to a series of alleged data breaches by the client's employees
- Lead author of PLC Practice Note on 'Issues in IT Contracts Litigation'
- Lead author of PLC Practice Note of 'Dispute Resolution Mechanisms for IT disputes'
- Author of chapter on 'Governance, Vendor Management and Dispute Resolution 'A Practical Guide to Outsourcing (2nd edition)
- regularly provide workshops, seminars and training to client on a wide variety of TMT disputes related issues
- Chambers & Partners – Ranked as a Band 1 individual in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 for Information Technology
- Legal 500 – Ranked as a Leading Individual/Partner in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 for Commercial Litigation
- Recent Chambers & Partners and Legal 5000 Commentaries and Client Testimonials include:
- “Simon Kenyon is exceptionally good – he has unrivalled experience of running enormous technical cases and managing challenging trials. He is incredibly hard-working and committed, he has excellent judgement and is a joy to work with. His understanding of the technical issues thrown up by TMT cases is exceptional”
- “Simon Kenyon is a careful and creative litigator and a popular choice for IT sector clients”
- “Simon Kenyon leads the firm's UK technology disputes practice. He acts for customers and suppliers and is relied on for his expert marshalling of complex cases by partners in the firm's London and regional offices”
- “Simon has a complete grasp of the detail and can see the bigger picture”
- “Simon has a tremendous combination of legal nous and legal savvy. He does a great job for clients”
- “Simon walked us through scenarios and outcomes which wouldn't have been possible without excellent commercial awareness and a clear vision”
- “Simon Kenyon is a standout partner”
- “Simon Kenyon is an excellent partner: outstanding commercial sense and strategic acumen”
- “Simon Kenyon co-heads the Leeds team, praised for his ‘commercial sense and strategic acumen’ he has a strong track record in cross-border telecoms disputes”
- “Simon Kenyon covers contentious matters, frequently appearing in outsourcing and technology disputes”
- Member of the Society for Computers and Law
- BA Hons (Oxon) Jurisprudence (Upper Second Class)
- Distinction – Legal Practice Course - College of Law