Team size: Approximately 150 lawyers in the UK 

What significant projects or deals has the legal team worked on in the past year?  Can you provide examples of successful outcomes or major accomplishments? 

 Our company provides some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. This means that on a daily basis, our Sector teams are working on critical defence and security programmes for the UK Ministry of Defence and export customers. These teams are deployed within the Sectors so that they can work hand-in-hand with business colleagues while advising on programmes throughout their lifecycle. During 2023 and 2024, some of our key activities have related to: 

– the Astute and Dreadnought Class submarine programmes, as well as the SSN-AUKUS programme, which as part of the trilateral agreement between Australia, the UK, and the US, will deliver a replacement for the Astute Class, 

– the Type 26 frigate programme including a major infrastructure project to allow two frigates to be built under cover simultaneously, 

– the Falconworks ® business in the Air Sector, formed during 2023 to develop and bring new products and technologies to the market, 

– Digital Intelligence – including providing cyber security, data, and battlespace integration solutions 

Future Combat Air System (FCAS) – UK’s industry lead on the Global Combat Air Programme working with partners in Japan and Italy, 

– Land UK – the UK Ministry of Defence’s long-term strategic partner for munitions supply. 

An additional line of legal support for our sectors is provided by our internal Centres of Excellence. Our Knowledge Management and Supply Chain & Public Law team members horizon-scan for legal changes that may affect our business. Our Compliance & Regulation Centre of Excellence has been busy advising on compliance and sanctions law changes as well as changes to export controls between Australia, the UK and the US. We have teams leading our strategy in registering and licensing intellectual property and advising upon the rapidly developing laws relating to autonomy, artificial intelligence and space that apply to our technological developments. In addition, our core dispute resolution, M&A, employment law, real estate, IT and privacy, and corporate governance capability is retained in-house. 

Can you sum up the team culture/ethos in one sentence? 

Our Legal function is a community.  

Through initiatives such as our Junior Lawyer Network, In Flight Lawyer Programme, Business Chief Counsel forums, Functional Councils, annual Functional Conference for all UK lawyers and Communities of Practice, we break down any barriers to collaboration across our UK businesses and beyond. Members of our teams, whether they work at Sector level or within a Group Centre of Excellence, and wherever they are on their career path, are encouraged to work as “one team”. Our annual Legal Awards promote and share the team’s many achievements. 

Apart from legal matters, has the team worked on other company initiatives? 

The company is committed to playing our part in creating a secure and sustainable future – and the Legal team embraces this initiative in many ways. We have a Chief Counsel embedded within the company’s ESG team and our Chief Counsel, Business Development chairs our Community Investment Committee. The function itself has a number of activities in this area, including a partnership with the University of Central Lancashire Legal Faculty and a solicitor apprenticeship programme, as well as mentoring programme for law students of diverse backgrounds, both of which will commence later in 2024. In addition, we have been key team members in sustainable energy programmes, such as wind and solar power.