How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

In navigating periods of instability or crises, I adopt a proactive and risk mitigating approach. My legal strategy is intricately aligned with the broader business strategy to ensure the firm’s resilience.

Key strategies include:

Communication and collaboration — effective communication with internal and external stakeholders is paramount. I foster open dialogue with business leaders and external experts to understand the evolving situation and develop tailored solutions.

Rapid assessment and risk mitigation — I swiftly assess the legal implications of the crisis, identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities. By implementing timely measures, such as contract renegotiations, regulatory compliance reviews, and contingency planning, we mitigate adverse consequences.

Adaptability and flexibility — crises often require agility and adaptability. I am prepared to adjust our legal approach as circumstances change, ensuring that our strategies remain relevant and effective.

Leveraging technology —technology plays a very crucial role in crisis management. By utilising legal technology tools and platforms, we can streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and ensure timely access to critical information.

By adopting these strategies, we aim to minimise legal risks, protect the firm’s interests, and contribute to its overall resilience during challenging times.

What are the main cases or transactions that you have been involved in recently?

Over the past year, my team has been involved in a diverse range of legal matters, reflecting the dynamic nature of our industry. While I cannot disclose specific details due to confidentiality, I can provide a general overview of the types of cases and transactions we have handled.

Key areas include corporate restructuring —we have advised on corporate restructuring transactions ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and protecting the firm’s interests; contract negotiation and management — our team has been instrumental in negotiating and managing a wide range of contracts, including vendor agreements, service contracts, and subcontracting agreements; regulatory compliance — we have closely monitored and addressed regulatory developments to ensure compliance with evolving legal requirements.

What do you see as the major legal challenges for businesses in the region over the next five years, and how are you preparing to address them?  

 Over the next five years, businesses in the region will likely face a number of legal challenges including:

Evolving regulatory landscape —the region’s regulatory environment is constantly evolving, with new laws and regulations being introduced at a rapid pace. Businesses will need to stay informed and adapt their practices to comply with these changes.

Data privacy and cybersecurity — as businesses increasingly rely on technology, data privacy and cybersecurity will become even more critical. Firms must implement robust measures to protect sensitive data and mitigate the risk of cyberattacks.

Dispute resolution — the region’s dispute resolution mechanisms are undergoing modernisation with a growing emphasis on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods. Businesses should be prepared to leverage ADR to resolve disputes efficiently and cost-effectively.

Cross-border transactions — the increasing globalisation of the region’s economy will lead to more cross-border transactions, which can present unique legal challenges. Businesses need to understand the applicable laws and regulations in different jurisdictions.

To address these challenges, we are taking a proactive approach that includes closely monitor regulatory developments and industry trends to ensure that we are aware of emerging legal issues; investing in our team’s legal expertise, particularly in areas such as data privacy, corporate, and compliance projects; building strong relationships with our people to provide tailored advice and support; implementing best practices for data protection, cybersecurity, and compliance; and we are utilising legal technology tools to streamline our processes and enhance our ability to manage complex legal matters and turnaround.

Have there been any recent trends or changes in the nature of disputes in the region?

In recent years there has been a noticeable shift in the nature of disputes in the region. Some key trends include: Increased focus on technology-related disputes—as businesses become more reliant on technology, disputes related to intellectual property, data privacy, and cybersecurity have become more common; growing importance of arbitration — arbitration has gained popularity as a preferred dispute resolution mechanism, particularly for cross border disputes.