Team size: 70

What has been the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?

We operate in an environment with increasingly complex structures, business models and product types, as well as increasing regulatory and public expectations. Our main challenge is meeting those expectations, while having clear rules and requirements that can be followed, and providing an engaging, responsive approach to market users. This requires constant focus on our functions and the processes involved in carrying them out. It also involves developing and maintaining skills and experience, and embedding a culture of listening and continuous improvement.

Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most?

AI will likely impact several functions that we currently perform, and this impact will possibly be profound and very positive. However, technology tools that our team is currently focused on implementing are a little more foundational, focused on better document and matter or workflow management.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

Our team mainly consists of lawyers, with a few other experts in accounting, geology and other relevant areas. Problem solving, decisiveness and communication are essential qualities for the lawyers on our team. Typically, we need lawyers who are good at providing quick responses and understanding practical implications. It is great to have people who understand the different components of a problem, but it is also important to move quickly to the solution, and make judgement calls on the best way forward. We also need people who are good at listening to the perspectives of our listed entities and cable to communicate reasons for our chosen solutions. This is because a significant part of our job involves making decisions about the application of rules, which may not be welcomed by the listed entity wants to hear.