Conflicts of interest and confidential information

Because we work in many different jurisdictions and have many different clients, the potential for issues involving client-confidential information and conflicts of interest is high. Each of the countries in which we operate has its own rules and accepted practice for dealing with these issues.

Our risk and compliance department has a team responsible for maintaining a computerised system for identifying issues involving conflicts of interest and client-confidential information, which we are constantly updating and improving.

We have a strong team of conflicts lawyers dedicated to identifying and analysing conflicts and confidentiality issues. This team actively monitors the acceptance of new clients and the opening of new matters. It ensures the firm complies with the latest rules on client engagement and works closely with partners and sector group leaders across the firm to ensure there is a consistent and compliance-focused approach to mandate acceptance. This includes considering reputational risk issues to prevent the acceptance of clients or mandates that might damage our standing in the community.