What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Auchan’s legal and tax department has been dedicated to the continuous improvement of the support provided to the various stores that the company owns in Portugal. We believe that preventive advocacy, guaranteed through quality training and close support to the various business units, means real added value.

In this sense, and along with the constant concern with increasing efficiency in the handling of processes and responses to internal customers, we have guided our action with active involvement in the commercial areas.

Auchan’s legal and tax Department issues opinions, monitors legal proceedings, ensures compliance with legislation, trains teams, signs contracts and carries out risk analysis relating to the company’s decision-making processes.

Furthermore, we would also like to highlight the follow-up of the processes for contesting fines imposed by the Competition Authority, the follow-up of the implementation processes of the recent legislation on compliance and the follow-up of the entire process of opening new stores, because of the strong expansion in Portugal.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?

Joint work with external law firms is fundamental to the exercise of the function of the in-house lawyer. Whether in matters that are more complex or that require more resources, whether in sharing knowledge and discussing issues or even in the implementation of good practices, the external lawyer plays an essential role.

The external lawyer must know the company and the business area well, must be considered as someone who is part of the team and with the availability to follow the legal team’s project and vision. Also, the language used by the external lawyer must be clear and provide direct contact, not only with the internal legal department, but with the other departments.

It is also essential, within the scope of this relationship, for the external lawyer to adapt to the company’s procedures and the people who constitute it. Naturally, technical skills and professional experience are fundamental, however, the external Lawyer must abide by the same principles as the company and experience its culture. It is necessary, for the creation of trust and robustness of the professional relationship, that the external lawyer is completely aligned with the company’s culture and with its values. More than a partner, the external lawyer is seen at Auchan as a member of the team that pursues the achievement of its objectives and defends its interests.

Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most? Which have you found most useful in your legal team?

Auchan’s legal department seeks to make the processes as efficient as possible, being a department that, instead of putting obstacles to the development of the operation, seeks solutions, always within legal limits. The use of technology is a powerful tool to support the performance of these tasks.

Auchan’s legal department has already implemented several mechanisms aimed at simplifying daily work, allowing a faster response to the internal customer. By way of example, we refer to the digitisation of all documentation, as well as the use of a digital signature on all company documents, without exception.

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change within their organisations?

The in-house lawyer plays a key role in the performance and development of the company. Auchan, through internal programmes, encourages the active participation of the company’s various departments in the daily activities of the stores.

The better you know the business, the better the lawyer’s performance is in defending the client’s interests. At Auchan, lawyers spend time in stores, accompany operators, listen to customers and play a fundamental role in the day-to-day business.

This practice allows the in-house lawyer to have global knowledge of the company and, consequently, puts him in a position to participate in projects and promote actions that mean changes in the company.