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

Due to the lack of legal security, the hydrocarbon sector is one of the most complicated to work in in the country. However, the PCR-ECUADOR legal team has carried out one of the most significant transactions: the assignment of contract rights of the oil fields where the company operates before full coordination with the Hydrocarbons Ministry. This transition allowed PCR group from Argentina to achieve a corporate restructuring in its subsidiary in Ecuador and, with it, continue the continuation of investment projects in the country.

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

The in-house lawyer has more closeness with the business, which makes the company’s problems become one; there, you put your heart and emotions into covering all the possible risks inside the company.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

This is a strategic question since communication and a good relationship with your business partner will allow you to obtain key elements to develop legal strategies held by other areas that have collaborated, getting joint results that benefit the team, especially the company.

What are some of the main legislative or regulatory changes that have impacted you?

In Ecuador, the law is constantly changing, which is fine if the final objective is impacted in favour of the country. However, the legal and regulatory situation has become difficult to manage since published laws are often declared unconstitutional in less than six months; therefore, where is the principle of legal security? Our system scares away the investors, provoking irreversible consequences. Our country has less money, jobs, more insecurity, and less education. Promoting investment is one of the key issues that should be addressed.