PODER DA COROA
DEPARTAMENTO JURÍDICO

Legal department roles and responsibilities

Compliance:

• Ensuring the organisation adheres to all applicable UK laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

• Monitoring changes in UK legislation and advising on their impact.

• Developing and implementing compliance programmes and procedures.

• Overseeing internal policies and controls to identify legal and regulatory risks and implement solutions.

Diversity and Equality:

• Ensuring compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and related employment legislation.

• Developing and implementing diversity and inclusion policies and procedures.

• Advising on reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and service users.

• Preventing discrimination based on protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation).

• Conducting equality impact assessments for new policies and procedures.

• Addressing workplace harassment and discrimination complaints.

Human Rights:

• Ensuring compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and European Convention on Human Rights.

• Advising on privacy rights and data protection under Article 8.

• Ensuring fair treatment in accordance with Article 6 (right to a fair trial).

• Protecting freedom of expression and association rights in the workplace.

• Implementing safeguards against discriminatory practices.

• Advising on proportionality when rights must be balanced against other legal obligations.

European Law Compliance:

• Navigating the post-Brexit legal landscape including the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

• Ensuring compliance with retained EU law under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

• Monitoring developments in EU law that may affect UK business operations.

• Advising on cross-border legal matters with EU member states.

• Ensuring compliance with applicable EU regulations for goods and services exported to the EU.

• Managing dual regulatory compliance where applicable.

UK and European Quality Standards:

• Ensuring compliance with British Standards (BS) and European Standards (EN).

• Maintaining ISO certifications (such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001).

• Advising on CE and UKCA marking requirements for products.

• Ensuring compliance with sector-specific quality standards and regulations.

• Managing quality assurance processes from a legal perspective.

• Advising on legal implications of quality management systems.

Legal Advice and Counsel:

• Providing legal advice to management and other departments on a wide range of issues.

• Assisting with strategic planning and decision-making by providing legal insights.

• Representing the organisation in legal proceedings, including litigation and regulatory investigations.

Contract Management:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts to ensure they are legally sound and protect the organisation's interests.

• Managing the lifecycle of contracts, from negotiation to termination.

• Ensuring compliance with contractual obligations.

Risk Management:

• Identifying and assessing legal and regulatory risks facing the organisation.

• Developing and implementing strategies to mitigate these risks.

• Protecting the organisation's reputation and assets.

Health and Safety:

• Ensuring compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and related regulations.

• Advising on risk assessments and safe systems of work.

• Managing health and safety policies and procedures to meet legal obligations.

• Handling RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) reporting requirements.

• Liaising with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities during inspections or investigations.

• Providing training and guidance on health and safety legal requirements.

Debt Collection:

• Ensuring compliance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

• Managing debt recovery in accordance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.

• Advising on County Court and High Court procedures for debt recovery.

• Ensuring adherence to FCA regulations when collecting consumer debts.

• Drafting statutory demands and bankruptcy/winding-up petitions where appropriate.

• Navigating enforcement options including County Court Judgments (CCJs), High Court Enforcement Officers, and Charging Orders.

• Ensuring compliance with the Limitation Act 1980 regarding time limits for debt claims.

Litigation Support:

• Preparing for and managing litigation, including disclosure, witness statements, and trial preparation.

• Working with external solicitors and barristers when necessary.

• Developing and implementing effective defence strategies.

Intellectual Property:

• Protecting the organisation's intellectual property, including patents, trade marks, and copyrights.

• Advising on intellectual property matters, such as licensing and enforcement.

Transaction Support:

• Assisting with mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions.

• Reviewing and negotiating transaction documents.

Compliance with Ethical Standards:

• Ensuring that the organisation's operations comply with ethical standards and industry best practices.

• Providing guidance on ethical issues and dilemmas.

Managing External Counsel:

• Selecting and managing external legal counsel.

• Controlling legal costs.

Communication:

• Communicating legal information to management and other stakeholders.

• Providing timely and accurate legal advice.