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

We have been involved recently involved in M&A transactions and joint ventures. The legal department had a pivotal role in advising the company on acquiring a 600% stake in MEEM Facilities for USD$ 10m—some of the key tasks included drafting and negotiating the share purchase agreement and the shareholders’ agreement. Furthermore, we also advised the company on the disposal of its 51% shares in Faber Sindoori Management Services — an Indian healthcare facilities management company — to Apollo Sindoori Hotels Limited for USD$ 10m. Lastly, the legal function has also advised the company to dispose of its 100% shares in Faber Development Holdings — a Malaysian property development company — for USD$ 25m to Homevest Development Partners.

My team and I have also been recently involved in litigations. We successfully managed and won a High Court USD$ 10m construction dispute regarding the failure of the client to fully pay for the construction of federal roads and telecommunication towers. We also reached a successful outcome by winning a USD$ 12m arbitration claim against a subcontractor for failure to perform its job in the construction of four luxury car showrooms.

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

An innovation that improved our legal team’s overall efficiency and did not require significant expense was the implementation of a centralised document management system.

The latter has the scope to streamline the storage, retrieval, and collaboration of legal documents. By digitising files and utilising cloud-based platforms, team members can easily access and update documents from anywhere, reducing the time spent searching for physical copies or waiting for email exchanges. Such a solution enhanced collaboration, increased productivity, and reduced administrative costs.

How do you see the role of the general counsel evolving in the next five years?

Over the next five to ten years, the role of the general counsel is likely to continue evolving in response to various factors: (i) Strategic business advisor — general counsel are increasingly expected to serve as strategic partners and trusted advisors to senior executives and the board of directors. They may be involved in key decision-making processes beyond legal matters, offering insights on risk management, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. (ii) Technology and data focus — with the rapid advancement of technology and the increasing importance of data privacy and cybersecurity, general counsel will be required to possess a strong understanding of these areas. They will be responsible for overseeing data protection strategies, managing legal implications related to emerging technologies, while ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. (iii) ESG and sustainability — Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are gaining prominence. General counsel play a crucial role in guiding their organisations to develop and implement ESG strategies, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations and reporting requirements, while addressing reputational risks associated with sustainability and social impact. (iv) Regulatory complexity — the legal landscape is constantly evolving, and regulatory complexities are on the rise. General counsel are required to stay updated on changing laws and regulations relevant to their organisations, and proactively advise on compliance strategies, risk mitigation, and crisis management. Lastly, (v) ethical and social responsibility — as organisations face increasing scrutiny and expectations for ethical behaviour and social responsibility, general counsel assume a crucial role in shaping corporate culture, advocating for ethical practices, and ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines and standards.