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

As Tencent has expanded its business into major markets around the world, including Japan, our legal team has been actively involved in the post-investment management of its subsidiaries. The team has implemented standardised processes to ensure consistent adherence to Tencent Group guidelines across all group companies. This has resulted in efficient corporate governance and optimised operations.

Recently, our legal team undertook a significant project to support the onboarding and restructuring of our subsidiaries after acquisition. The goal was to establish a unified management framework that spans across all group companies. By establishing clear lines of communication with the subsidiary legal teams, the team was able to facilitate the exchange of information and promote a unified approach to decision-making.

This approach has ensured that all stakeholders were well-informed, allowing them to make timely and considered decisions. It has also created a cohesive environment for collaboration, allowing for the sharing insights, expertise and best practices among the various teams. Overall, Tencent’s legal team has been instrumental in achieving the effective unified management of its various subsidiaries.

Could you share an example of a time when your team came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

We have made significant efforts to improve efficiency by utilizing highly automated legal formats. Through the modularization of frequently used legal terms and the creation of an online questionnaire, our business teams can generate customized legal documents, for example End-User License Agreements, specific to their product with minimal input from our lawyers. This process has significantly streamlined document production, reduced the need for repetitive work, minimised double-checking by the legal team and minimised the risk of errors. By reducing the time and labour required to produce bespoke legal documents, we can focus on our core business operations while still maintaining a high level of legal compliance.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values?

Understanding the unique dynamics and practices of the market is crucial for Tencent’s external counsel, as we are part of a fast-paced, specialized and competitive industry. Our counsel must possess legal expertise and the ability to recognize and navigate various legal considerations, such as regulatory frameworks and contractual obligations with our partners. It is essential that our external lawyers understand our position within the industry, our preferences, goals and the practice of our competitors. Without an understanding of these many aspects, mere legal advice would fall short of comprehensively addressing the complexities of our business. By having a nuanced understanding of the industry landscape and our company goals, it enables our counsel to find the balance between risk and opportunity before providing practical advice, thereby guiding Tencent towards success.

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

In-house lawyers at Tencent build strong relationships with business partners by understanding the unique styles and preferences of each partner. Tencent’s operations span across various industries and business models, therefore our legal team gains insights into diverse working styles and preferences. By actively engaging in cross-functional projects, Tencent’s in-house lawyers gain a deeper understanding of the business context and can apply their legal expertise accordingly. It is also important that in-house lawyers actively seek feedback and engage in open communication, this will help improve service quality and ensure that the specific needs of each partner are met. In-house lawyers should also try and understand the company products as this will inform their perspective while allowing them to tailor their legal services to the company.