The first phase of GSSP, which Middletons also advised Shell on, involves the upgrade of Shell's retail software at more than 4000 retail sites (impacting on 12 markets) around the world. The second phase relates to the procurement of "point of sale" hardware for Shell retail markets throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.

Middletons assisted Shell in all stages of the first and second phases, from helping draft Shell's Requests for Proposal, drafting the GSSP hardware master agreements and schedules to conducting face-to-face negotiations with multiple vendors in London. Middletons advised Shell on significant vendor integration and implementation issues across the affected markets.

Siw Hendriks, head of legal IT at Shell, said that the program will be rolled out over the next five years and will benefit a significant proportion of Shell's retail estate. She added that the contract was awarded to Middletons after a nine-month selection process.

"Middletons provided legal support from the outset of the project and have played a key role in shaping the deal, identifying and mitigating risk, and negotiating and finalising all contractual documentation. We were glad to have Middletons on board to assist us."

Middletons' lead partner, Dudley Kneller, from the technology and communications group in Melbourne, said that the firm was pleased to have been able to assist Shell with this next phase of GSSP.

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"The transaction was particularly challenging, with negotiations running over several months with multiple vendors in different countries. We worked with a number of Shell stakeholders across multiple time zones and it was critical to properly understand Shell's business and operational requirements across its retail network," he said.