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.
Favourable Resolution Rate
The percentage of contested matters (litigation, arbitration, significant claims) where the outcome is considered favourable to the client or company, either through settlement or judgment.
Target · Achieve >80% favourable outcomes in contested matters. If you handle 10 contested cargo claims in a quarter and 8 of them settle for less than the initial demand or result in a win at arbitration, that's an 80% favourable rate. We're looking for consistent results, not just one-off wins.
Litigation Budget Adherence
How well you manage the legal spend for individual cases and projects against the initial budget forecast.
Target · Manage individual case budgets to within 10% of forecast. You forecast £50,000 for a particular regulatory investigation. If the final cost comes in at £54,000 (an 8% variance), that's within target. If it hits £60,000 (20% over), we'll need to understand why.
Mentorship & Junior Development
The effectiveness of your informal guidance and support for junior legal specialists or associates, helping them grow and improve.
Target · At least one mentored junior team member receives a 'top performance' rating or clear positive feedback from their manager annually. You spend time reviewing a junior's draft memo, explaining the nuances of the Carmack Amendment. Later, their manager specifically praises their improved drafting quality and understanding of liability limits, directly attributing it to your guidance.
Proactive Risk Identification & Mitigation
The number of significant legal risks you identify and proactively help the business address before they become major problems.
Target · Identify and help mitigate 2-3 significant risks per quarter, documented with clear actions. You spot a new clause in a major client's proposed terms that could expose us to unlimited liability for delays. You flag it, draft alternative language, and work with the commercial team to negotiate a better position, preventing a potential £1M+ exposure.
Quality of Legal Advice
The clarity, commerciality, and accuracy of your legal advice, particularly on complex or novel transport law issues. It's about giving advice that the business can actually use, not just a textbook answer.
- Business leaders consistently seek your input on difficult decisions. Your advice is clear, concise, and offers practical solutions, not just problems. You're able to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers in a way they understand and can act on. We'll know you're doing well when people say, 'Go ask [Your Name], they always make sense of it.'
Stakeholder Trust & Influence
How effectively you build trust and influence with internal business units and external parties, becoming a respected advisor rather than just 'the legal department'.
- You're brought into discussions early, before problems escalate. Business teams proactively consult you on new initiatives or tricky situations. External counsel or opposing parties respect your positions and approach. You're seen as a partner, not a blocker, and people genuinely value your perspective.
Strategic Contribution to Contract Negotiation
Your ability to not just review contracts, but to actively shape and negotiate terms that protect the company's interests while still allowing the business to operate effectively.
- You're involved in high-value contract negotiations from the outset. Commercial teams rely on your drafting and negotiation skills to secure favourable terms. You can point to specific clauses you've strengthened or risks you've mitigated in key agreements, directly impacting future liability or revenue.
