About

Described by private practice peers as ‘one of the best in-house teams to work with’, the legal team at Sidel is praised for its outstanding preparation and deep knowledge of the global manufacturing industry. Its capacity in assessing legal issues and in avoiding development of claims and litigation is exceptional. The group is currently undergoing a global reorganisation, but it is essential for legal affairs, as a small specialist function, to ‘stand firm’ during a period of significant change and continue to provide high quality advice and support. The in-house team is led by the well-respected group general counsel, Christer Carling. He has impressed peers and clients with his ‘business-orientated mindset’ and proactive leadership. Under Carling’s guidance the team is devising and implementing a fundamentally new corporate governance framework with the introduction of a new centralised corporate governance office that also drives risk management. The team has also had a significant impact on the purpose, structure, and direction of a joint venture that’s generating significant legal and intellectual property questions. In this vein, the team has also had the defining task of promoting and supporting “value selling” in order to capitalise on legal and IP features embedded in equipment. The impact of a constantly evolving and increasingly complex regulatory environment can be a challenge to a business like Sidel, with local and cross-border implications there needs to be continuous assessment and management. Carling admits that to deal with this ‘it is key to identify regulatory concerns and to clarify and allocate operational responsibility’.