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

The Fexco legal team takes a leading role in all key legal engagements across Fexco’s multiple domestic and international businesses. For example, during the past year, the team supported all key legal activity across our payments and financial services businesses globally; our outsourcing and property management business in the UK and Ireland; as well as our new ventures in areas like ESG technology, renewable energy and insurance. Transactional engagements include supporting acquisitions across the Group, including deals in the insurance and property management industries, and a strategic disposal in the payments sector.

How does the in-house legal function contribute to the overall dispute resolution strategy of the organisation?

The in-house legal function is well positioned to proactively manage dispute risks “early and often” and to take the primary leadership role in devising effective resolution strategies for complex disputes that do arise. The in-house legal function often has the unique position of managing the inception of contractual arrangements in the business, and this allows them to begin mitigating potential dispute risks at the earliest possible stage.

For example, developing effective strategies for implementing contractual arrangements in high dispute risk areas (such as cross-jurisdictional joint ventures or chain-outsourcing arrangements) can significantly reduce the potential impact of disputes that might arise in the future. In scenarios where actual disputes do arise, the in-house legal function can leverage its knowledge of disputes, in partnership with external counsel, to assist internal stakeholders with defining what a successful resolution would look like. That clarity around desired outcomes will allow the in-house legal function to design and implement an effective, collaborative strategy for ultimate resolution of the dispute.

What are some of the main trends in the industry sector you work in in Ireland?

The financial services industry in Ireland is continuing to evolve in line with broader trends in the areas of technology and financial services globally. For example, significant advances have emerged over the past year in the areas of payments, digital assets, automation and climate tech. These advances present unique legal and regulatory challenges, but also present significant opportunities to position the business at the forefront of innovation within the industry sector.

Against this industry backdrop, it has become essential “table stakes” for general counsel to develop and leverage a network of in-house talent and external counsel with the right blend of up-to-date technical expertise and thought leadership. This approach will ensure that the in-house legal team will continue to enhance its value proposition for internal clients and other key stakeholders, by driving long-term and sustainable commercial successes.