On behalf of The Legal 500, it is our distinct pleasure to present the GC Powerlist United Kingdom Teams 2024. This year, we are shifting our focus to highlight the remarkable efforts of legal teams and their collective role in driving the success of their companies, while also embracing and overcoming emerging challenges and demands. This edition provides an exclusive insight into the inner workings of the country’s top legal teams, gathered from a series of interviews.

In this collection, we explore the distinctive culture and ethos that set these leading teams apart. Through candid conversations, we delve into their day-to-day dynamics, strategic approaches to legal challenges, and their collaborative efforts with other departments within their organisations.

It is evident that UK-based in-house legal teams are now at the forefront of navigating the complexities and potential pitfalls in today’s volatile business environment. Within these pages, you will find details on significant cases, transactions, and deals executed by the top in-house legal teams in the country.

Moreover, legal teams are increasingly at the cutting edge of technology and legal tech tools, using these innovations to anticipate regulatory changes and enhance risk management and compliance. As exemplified by the legal team at Trainline: ‘our vision statement “Power and Protect” reflects our dual responsibility to enable new opportunities while safeguarding the business from risks. At Trainline, the legal team is viewed not merely as a support function but as a pivotal business partner driving the company’s ambitious goals. Our role includes being thought leaders and solution-oriented, understanding business objectives, identifying potential challenges, and proactively devising strategies to meet or exceed these goals, all while protecting the business in a rapidly evolving regulatory and commercial landscape.

Similarly, many of the featured in-house legal teams have shared their initiatives and projects aimed at giving back to society. For instance, the legal team at BAE Systems shared: ‘The company is committed to creating a secure and sustainable future, and the legal team embraces this initiative in various ways. We have a chief counsel embedded within the company’s ESG team and our chief counsel for Business Development chairs our Community Investment Committee. Our function engages in activities such as a partnership with the University of Central Lancashire Legal Faculty, a solicitor apprenticeship programme, and a mentoring scheme for law students from diverse backgrounds, set to commence later in 2024. Additionally, we have been actively involved in sustainable energy programmes, including wind and solar power.’

Similarly, Aviva’s legal function shared their commitment: ‘We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive function with meaningful, long-lasting commitments to drive change. Our Social Mobility Initiative includes school visits, Social Mobility Business Partnership Days across several offices, virtual insight sessions, and a six-week internship providing participants with experience across legal areas and with the law firms we collaborate with. Our impact measurement showed a significant increase in confidence among interns, and 40% have secured training contracts at our panel firms, with 50% finding roles within a year of graduating.’

This publication captures these and many other remarkable stories. We extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in the interview process. Congratulations to all the legal teams listed in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 GC Powerlist United Kingdom: Teams—your excellence is a testament to the high standards within the legal profession.

Sara Maggi | Lead Editor – The Legal 500 GC Powerlist United Kingdom Teams 2024

Allan Cohen| Lead Editor – The Legal 500 GC Powerlist United Kingdom Teams 2024