In your role, how do you balance the need to protect the organisation’s interests today while also considering legal implications and opportunities that may arise in the future?

In the dynamic world of fintech, striking the right balance between protecting the organisation today and seizing future opportunities can be a complex act. My approach hinges on three key principles:

Foresight: Staying one step ahead of the curve, both in terms of innovative advancements and evolving regulations, is crucial. This allows us to anticipate potential challenges and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Compliance as a cornerstone: Fostering a culture of unwavering compliance is not just essential; it is the bedrock of our operations. Every decision and action must be guided by this unwavering commitment to doing things the right way, every time.

Empowering growth: My role is to empower our business initiatives by providing timely insights and proactive guidance. This ensures that we can navigate the ever-changing landscape while seizing exciting opportunities for tomorrow.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?

Choosing external lawyers who align with your company’s values and expertise is crucial for fintech success. Here is why:

Value alignment, though shared values that foster trust and collaboration, leads to better legal outcomes. Ergo, lawyers who share your values strengthen your brand and reputation.

Expertise and understanding through niche knowledge and deep understanding of fintech ensures lawyers can anticipate challenges and offer relevant, innovative, and adaptable legal strategies. A firm that values innovation will be proactive in seeking new solutions for your evolving needs.

Additional considerations, such as multi-jurisdictional coverage – for global businesses, a firm with a global presence can streamline workflows; and culture and communication styles that align with your team for efficient collaboration are also important factors to account for, and reconsidering partnerships based on these factors is justified.

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

The in-house legal function plays a central role in shaping and implementing an organisation’s overall dispute resolution strategy. It starts from creating and getting management on board with a dispute resolution policy. The policy should display:

Proactive prevention: We establish a clear roadmap for addressing potential conflicts, guiding employees and stakeholders towards timely and efficient solutions. Secondly, by actively advising on company activities and conducting regular trainings, we minimise exposures and equip employees to navigate sensitive areas, preventing disputes before they arise. This is risk mitigation.

Efficient resolution comprising rapid and discreet responses, and cost-effective strategies. This involves prioritising swift and discreet dispute resolution, minimising disruption to business operations and protecting the company’s reputation. We also explore alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods like mediation, which can significantly reduce costs when compared to lengthy litigation processes.

Knowledge and awareness strategies that include empowering employees and fostering a culture of compliance is a vital component. Through regular trainings on relevant legal issues and company policies, we equip employees with the knowledge and awareness to identify and avoid potential disputes. Furthermore, by fostering a culture of compliance, we minimise legal and regulatory breaches, further reducing the likelihood of disputes.

By adopting a proactive, preventative, and informed approach, the in-house legal function contributes to a more resilient and dispute-resistant organisation. We not only navigate existing conflicts effectively but also work towards minimising their occurrence in the first place, ultimately protecting the company’s interests, and ensuring its long-term success.