Optimising Value from the In-house Legal Function

Abstract

As organisations face increasing regulation, complexity and globalisation without corresponding increases in resources, the structure, management and resourcing of the organisation’s legal department becomes ever more important. In-house legal teams are faced with the challenge of having to do more, with less. This raises challenges for the organisation, as the legal team struggles with an increasing workload, often becoming bogged down in a pattern of reactionary responses or fire-fighting rather than being able to lift its head above water and tackle legal challenges proactively in a manner that creates space for higher value work. Value for any organisation is not in the amount of work accomplished, but on the efficient accomplishment of the organisation’s objectives. Businesses need to maximise the value that they get from their legal departments and many are missing opportunities to do so.