The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually
looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.
Litigation Cost Reduction
Decrease the overall spend on outside counsel and internal resources for litigation and major disputes.
Target · Achieve a 10% reduction in outside counsel spend year-over-year, while maintaining or improving outcomes. If last year's litigation spend was £5M, you'd aim for £4.5M this year through better risk management, early ADR, and strategic settlement approaches.
Compliance Assurance
Maintain a clean record with regulatory bodies, avoiding material fines or significant enforcement actions.
Target · Zero material fines or significant enforcement actions from major regulatory bodies (e.g., ICO, CMA, FTC) related to your business unit's operations. Successfully navigating a new GDPR enforcement regime without incurring any fines, by proactively updating policies and procedures across the business unit.
Deal Velocity & Enablement
Streamline the legal review and negotiation processes for critical commercial agreements and M&A deals, speeding up time-to-close.
Target · Reduce the average legal review cycle for strategic commercial agreements by 15%, and contribute to M&A deal closures within target timelines. Helping the Sales team close £20M in strategic partnerships two weeks faster than average by optimising contract templates and negotiation playbooks.
Strategic Impact on Business Growth
Directly support and enable major revenue-generating initiatives or market expansions from a legal perspective.
Target · Legal strategy directly supports at least one successful M&A transaction (valued over £5M) or a new product launch that generates over £10M in annual recurring revenue. Providing the legal framework and risk assessment that enables a successful acquisition of a key competitor, adding £15M to the company's top line in the first year.
Board and C-Suite Confidence
Be recognised as a trusted, proactive advisor by the Board and C-Suite, providing clear, actionable legal guidance on complex strategic matters.
- You're consistently sought out for pre-emptive advice on major strategic decisions, your input is highly valued in executive meetings, and board members express confidence in the legal function's oversight. They'll ask you to present on key risk areas without prompting.
Proactive Risk Mitigation & Foresight
Identify and address emerging legal risks before they become significant problems, often anticipating regulatory changes or market shifts.
- You'll have a track record of implementing new policies or processes in anticipation of new legislation, effectively preventing potential issues. Your team isn't just reacting
- they're building legal defences for future challenges. For example, you might have already started preparing for a new international privacy law a year before it goes live.
Team Development & Leadership
Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing legal team that is well-regarded across the organisation and develops strong internal talent.
- Your team members consistently achieve their goals, show strong engagement in surveys, and are actively developing their careers under your guidance. You'll have a clear succession plan for key roles, and other departments will respect and seek out your team's expertise. You'll also be seen as a leader who delegates effectively and empowers their team.
External Reputation & Influence
Represent the company effectively to external regulators, industry bodies, and in key negotiations, enhancing our standing.
- You're seen as a credible, respected voice in industry forums, helping shape policy or best practices. Regulators view you as a cooperative and transparent partner. Your ability to negotiate complex deals with external partners is consistently praised by commercial teams, leading to favourable outcomes for the company.
