HT-2020-000448 - [2024] EWHC 1185 (TCC)
Technology and Construction Court

HT-2020-000448 - [2024] EWHC 1185 (TCC)

Fecha: 17-May-2024

Section 71

522.

Whilst DBS does not advance a case that TCS breached the Agreement by failing to adopt an ‘Agile’ methodology, the distinction between the two approaches gains some significance in the context of this case when assessing whether, in due course, DBS’s decision to remove the Basics Portal from the scope of TCS’s service and replace it themselves was caused by/reasonable in light of useability issues (so as to support its counterclaim for the costs of doing so from TCS) or whether they did so in pursuance of their broader strategic aim to comply with GDS’s broader ‘DbD’ objectives.

523.

In light of the reliance placed on some of the failures to comply with DbD in its case on breach, it is necessary to resolve the anterior issue of whether compliance with DbD formed part of TCS’s contractual obligations.

524.

Relevant provisions of the Agreement are as follows:

(1)

Clause 1.1.4(b) to Schedule 3 stated that

The Solution will deliver –

v.

Effective web-based, self-service for all – HMG ‘digital by default

(2)

By Clause 12.1, the Agreement required TCS to comply with ‘the Standards’:

Standards’ is a defined term:

means the British or international standards, AUTHORITY’s internal policies and procedures, Government codes of practice and guidance referred to in schedule 2-12 (Standards) together with any other specified policies or procedures identified in schedule 2-012 (Standards)

(3)

By Clause 2.1 to Schedule 2-12 – Standards and Regulations (v2.0), TCS were to:

ensure that they deliver the Service to meet [DBS’] ICT Strategy whilst also following standards and regulations, and adhering to the following measurement techniques, or their replacements in the event of their being superseded, for the term of this Agreement:

2.1.1

Standards Catalogue

2.1.1.1 The parties shall agree, within 30 days of the Effective Date, a Standards Catalogue. The Standards Catalogue shall be a fully managed list of standards and policies, each of which may be, for example mandatory, default, desirable or a future target….’

(4)

Schedule 2-12 itself (or no other Section of the Agreement, other that as mentioned in Clause 1.1.4 quoted above) refers to a Design-by-Default.