Top risks and controls for Legal

From the Doorstep International risk register, curated by Ahmer Nehal. Last updated 17 Oct 2026.

The Legal register lists 34 key risks and 78 best-practice controls across 6 units: Banking Law and Regulation, Contract Management, Corporate and Securities Law, Employment Law, Intellectual Property and Technology, Litigation and Dispute Resolution. Use it to identify risks, benchmark your existing controls or start a risk and control self-assessment (RCSA).

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A bank's legal department is essential to recognising and controlling any legal hazards the business may encounter.

Risk assessments are one of the most efficient ways to handle legal hazards.

Through risk assessments, banks are able to recognise potential legal issues and take action to prevent or lessen their effects.

The legal function can evaluate the bank's compliance with legal and regulatory standards, pinpoint vulnerable areas, and create strategies to manage legal risks successfully by conducting risk assessments.

By doing this, the bank may be able to prevent exorbitant legal battles, disciplinary actions, and reputational harm.

Therefore, conducting regular risk assessments is crucial for the legal department of a bank.

Banking Law and Regulation: key risks and controls

Legal guidance on banking laws and rules, especially those pertaining to lending, deposits, and anti-money laundering, is your responsibility.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Balancing legal and business interests	The legal department must balance the bank's legal and regulatory obligations with the bank's commercial interests, which can create tension between the legal department and other business units.	Clear policies and procedures: Develop and enforce clear policies and procedures that outline the bank's legal and regulatory obligations, as well as its commercial interests. These policies should provide guidance to all business units and help to ensure that decisions are made in accordance with the bank's overall objectives. Communication and collaboration: Encourage communication and collaboration between the legal department and other business units. This can be achieved through regular meetings and open channels of communication, which will help to ensure that all parties are aware of the bank's legal and regulatory obligations and commercial interests. Training and education: Provide regular training and education to all employees on the bank's legal and regulatory obligations and commercial interests. This will help to ensure that all employees are aware of the risks involved and can make informed decisions that are in the best interests of the bank.
Ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations	Legal departments must ensure that the bank is complying with AML and KYC regulations, which are critical to preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.	Implementing strong and comprehensive CDD procedures is crucial in preventing money laundering and terrorist financing. This control involves verifying the identity of customers, assessing their risk profile, and monitoring their transactions. It includes processes such as obtaining identification documents, conducting background checks, and establishing the source of funds. Automated Transaction Monitoring Systems: Using sophisticated software and systems for automated transaction monitoring can significantly enhance a bank's ability to detect suspicious activities. These systems can analyze large volumes of customer transactions in real-time, flagging any unusual patterns or behaviors that may indicate potential money laundering or terrorist financing.
Keeping up with constantly changing regulations	Banking laws and regulations are subject to frequent changes and updates, which can make it difficult for legal departments to stay on top of the latest requirements and ensure compliance.	Implement a robust regulatory compliance program: This would involve a systematic approach to assess and manage compliance risks and ensure that the bank is always in compliance with the latest laws and regulations. The program would include regular risk assessments, ongoing monitoring of regulatory changes, and training of legal and compliance staff. Establish a regulatory change management process: This would involve setting up a structured process to track and manage regulatory changes, including identifying the relevant regulatory bodies, evaluating the impact of the changes on the bank, and implementing necessary changes to policies, procedures, and controls. Foster a culture of compliance: This would involve promoting a culture within the bank that prioritizes compliance with banking laws and regulations. This could include training employees on the importance of compliance, providing incentives for compliance, and creating a reporting culture where employees feel comfortable raising compliance concerns or issues.
Managing data privacy and cybersecurity risks	Legal departments must ensure that the bank's data privacy and cybersecurity practices are compliant with regulatory requirements and are robust enough to protect against cyber threats.	Regular Risk Assessments and Compliance Audits: Conducting frequent risk assessments and compliance audits helps identify vulnerabilities and ensures that data privacy and cybersecurity practices align with regulatory requirements. This control allows legal departments to proactively address potential weaknesses and implement necessary measures to strengthen data protection and cybersecurity. Employee Training and Awareness Programs: Educating employees about data privacy and cybersecurity best practices is crucial in mitigating risks. Training programs should cover topics such as recognizing and reporting suspicious activities, safe data handling, password management, and social engineering awareness.
Mitigating legal risk	Legal departments must identify and mitigate legal risks that could expose the bank to financial or reputational harm, including litigation, regulatory investigations, and enforcement actions.	Comprehensive Compliance Program: Implementing a robust compliance program is crucial for identifying and mitigating legal risks. This program should include regular risk assessments, policies and procedures, employee training, monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and a designated compliance officer or team. By having a comprehensive compliance program in place, banks can proactively identify and address potential legal risks, reducing the likelihood of litigation, regulatory investigations, or enforcement actions. Strong Internal Controls and Oversight: Establishing strong internal controls and oversight mechanisms is essential to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies. This includes implementing segregation of duties, regularly reviewing and testing internal controls, conducting internal audits, and enforcing accountability for compliance. By having effective internal controls and oversight, banks can detect and prevent legal risks before they escalate into significant issues.

Contract Management: key risks and controls

Contracts with clients, vendors, and other third parties are all included in the evaluation, writing, and negotiation responsibilities.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Contract Performance Monitoring	The legal department must monitor the performance of contracts to ensure that all parties comply with their obligations and that the bank's interests are protected. This can involve tracking key performance indicators, ensuring timely payments, and managing disputes or breaches.	Contract Management System: A contract management system is a software tool that automates the tracking and monitoring of contracts. It can be used to set up alerts and notifications for key dates, such as renewal or payment due dates. It can also be used to track key performance indicators, manage disputes and breaches, and ensure timely payments. This control can greatly reduce the risk of non-compliance and breaches, and ensure that the bank's interests are protected. Contract Review Process: A contract review process involves having the legal department review and approve all contracts before they are signed. This process ensures that all contracts are in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and that they are structured to protect the bank's interests. A contract review process can also help identify potential risks and issues before they arise. Contract Performance Monitoring: Contract performance monitoring involves regularly reviewing and monitoring the performance of contracts to ensure that all parties are complying with their obligations. This control can involve tracking key performance indicators, ensuring timely payments, and managing disputes or breaches. By monitoring contract performance, the bank can identify and address any issues or risks before they escalate.
Contractual Risk Management	Contracts involve various risks such as credit risk, legal risk, operational risk, reputational risk, and financial risk. The legal department must identify, assess, mitigate, and manage these risks effectively to protect the bank's interests and reputation.	Contract Review and Approval Processes: Implementing robust contract review and approval processes is crucial to mitigate risks. This control involves thorough scrutiny of contract terms, legal implications, financial aspects, and potential risks. It ensures that contracts align with the bank's policies, comply with relevant regulations, and protect the bank's interests. By identifying and addressing potential risks early on, this control helps mitigate credit risk, legal risk, operational risk, and financial risk. Risk Assessment and Due Diligence: Conducting comprehensive risk assessments and due diligence before entering into contracts is another effective control. This control involves evaluating the counterparty's financial stability, creditworthiness, reputation, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. By thoroughly assessing potential risks associated with counterparties, this control helps mitigate credit risk, operational risk, reputational risk, and financial risk.
Cross-functional Coordination	Contract management involves coordination with various departments within the bank, such as finance, risk management, compliance, and operations. The legal department must work closely with these departments to ensure that contracts are aligned with the bank's strategic objectives and operational requirements.	Establishing clear communication channels: Effective communication is critical for successful contract management. The bank should establish clear communication channels between the legal department and other departments, such as finance, risk management, compliance, and operations. This will ensure that all parties are aware of their roles and responsibilities and can work together seamlessly to achieve the bank's strategic objectives and operational requirements. Implementing a contract management system: A contract management system can help streamline the contract management process by automating tasks such as contract creation, approval, and tracking. The system can also provide alerts for key contract events, such as expiration dates and renewal options. This will help ensure that contracts are aligned with the bank's strategic objectives and operational requirements, and reduce the risk of errors or oversights. Conducting regular contract reviews: The bank should conduct regular contract reviews to ensure that contracts are still aligned with the bank's strategic objectives and operational requirements. The reviews should involve all relevant departments, such as finance, risk management, compliance, and operations, and should include a thorough analysis of the terms and conditions of each contract. This will help ensure that contracts remain relevant and up-to-date, and reduce the risk of contract disputes or breaches.
Regulatory Compliance	Commercial banks operate in a highly regulated environment, and compliance with various laws, regulations, and policies is a critical aspect of contract management. The legal department is responsible for ensuring that all contracts comply with applicable laws and regulations, such as banking regulations, consumer protection laws, data protection laws, and anti-money laundering laws.	Robust Compliance Program: Establishing a comprehensive compliance program is crucial. This program should include policies, procedures, and controls to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations. Regular monitoring, audits, and assessments should be conducted to identify and address any compliance gaps. Legal Review and Approval: Implement a rigorous legal review and approval process for all contracts. The legal department should thoroughly review each contract to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
Technology and Process Management	Effective contract management requires the use of technology tools and streamlined processes. The legal department must ensure that the bank has the necessary technology tools, processes, and workflows in place to manage contracts efficiently and effectively.	Technology Assessment and Implementation: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the bank's technology needs for contract management. Identify suitable technology tools and solutions that can streamline and automate contract processes. Implement the chosen tools and ensure they align with the bank's contract management requirements. This control ensures that the bank has the necessary technology infrastructure to support efficient contract management. Standardization of Contract Processes: Establish standardized contract management processes and workflows across the organization. Define clear guidelines for drafting, reviewing, approving, and storing contracts.
Voluminous Contracts	Commercial banks deal with a large number of contracts with various counterparties such as borrowers, lenders, service providers, vendors, regulators, and other stakeholders. The legal department is responsible for reviewing, drafting, negotiating, executing, and managing these contracts. The sheer volume of contracts can be overwhelming, and managing them can be a challenging task.	Contract Management System: Implementing a robust contract management system can significantly enhance the bank's ability to handle contracts efficiently. Such a system should include features like centralized storage, automated workflows, contract templates, version control, and reminders for key dates and milestones. This control helps streamline the contract management process, reduce errors, and improve overall efficiency. Standardization and Templates: Establishing standardized contract templates and clauses can ensure consistency and accuracy in contract creation. By using predefined templates, the legal department can save time and effort in drafting contracts from scratch.

Corporate and Securities Law: key risks and controls

Charged with giving legal counsel on corporate governance, securities legislation, and adherence to pertinent laws and regulations.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Contract drafting and negotiation	Commercial banks engage in a variety of transactions, including loan agreements, securities offerings, and mergers and acquisitions. The legal department is responsible for drafting and negotiating contracts related to these transactions, which requires a deep understanding of corporate and securities law.	Robust Legal Department: Having a well-staffed and knowledgeable legal department is crucial to mitigate the risk. This includes hiring experienced attorneys specializing in corporate and securities law. A competent legal team will ensure that contracts are drafted accurately, negotiate favorable terms, and identify and address legal risks associated with various transactions. Continuous Legal Training and Education: Providing ongoing training and education to the legal department is essential. Corporate and securities laws are subject to frequent updates and changes, so it's important to keep the legal team up to date.
Corporate governance	The legal department plays a key role in ensuring that the bank's corporate governance practices comply with applicable laws and regulations. This includes advising the board of directors on legal matters and ensuring that the bank's policies and procedures are in line with best practices.	Robust Compliance Program: Implementing a comprehensive compliance program is the most effective control. This program should include regular monitoring, auditing, and reporting mechanisms to identify and address any non-compliance issues promptly. It should also involve establishing clear policies and procedures that align with applicable laws and regulations, as well as industry best practices. Board Oversight and Accountability: Ensuring strong oversight and accountability at the board level is crucial. This involves appointing independent directors with legal expertise who can provide guidance on legal matters.
Litigation management	Commercial banks can face litigation related to a variety of issues, including breach of contract, regulatory violations, and securities fraud. The legal department is responsible for managing these legal disputes, which can be time-consuming and costly.	Compliance and Risk Management Framework: Establishing a robust compliance and risk management framework is essential to mitigate legal risks. This framework should include clear policies, procedures, and controls to ensure adherence to contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and securities laws. Regular monitoring, reporting, and internal audits can help identify and address potential issues before they escalate into legal disputes. Strong Contract Management Practices: Implementing effective contract management practices can help mitigate the risk of breach of contract litigation.
Regulatory compliance	Commercial banks are highly regulated and must comply with a wide range of laws and regulations. As a result, legal departments must constantly monitor and stay up-to-date with the changing regulatory environment to ensure that the bank is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.	Regulatory Compliance Framework: Implementing a robust regulatory compliance framework is the most effective control to mitigate the risk associated with changing laws and regulations. This framework should include comprehensive policies, procedures, and processes that address key regulatory requirements. It should also establish mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and assessment of compliance, as well as prompt updates in response to regulatory changes. Continuous Monitoring and Regulatory Intelligence: Establish a system for continuous monitoring of regulatory changes and developments. This can involve subscribing to regulatory updates, participating in industry forums, and engaging with regulatory bodies.
Risk management	Commercial banks face various types of risks, including credit risk, market risk, operational risk, and legal risk. The legal department is responsible for managing legal risk and ensuring that the bank's policies and practices are designed to mitigate legal risks.	Robust Compliance Framework: Establishing a strong compliance framework is crucial for mitigating legal risk. This includes developing and implementing comprehensive policies and procedures that comply with relevant laws and regulations. Regular monitoring, auditing, and internal controls should be in place to ensure ongoing compliance. Legal Risk Assessment and Due Diligence: Conducting thorough legal risk assessments and due diligence processes can help identify and evaluate potential legal risks. This involves reviewing contracts, agreements, and legal obligations, as well as assessing the legal implications of business activities.

Employment Law: key risks and controls

Responsible for giving legal counsel on employment-related laws and rules, such as those pertaining to compensation, labour relations, and discrimination.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Compliance with labor laws	Banks are required to comply with a wide range of labor laws, including minimum wage laws, anti-discrimination laws, and employment eligibility verification requirements. These laws can vary by jurisdiction and are subject to frequent changes, making it difficult to keep up with compliance obligations.	Conducting regular compliance audits: Regular compliance audits can help banks identify areas of non-compliance with labor laws and take corrective action before any violations occur. These audits can also help banks stay up-to-date with changes in labor laws. Implementing robust training programs: Implementing training programs that educate employees and management on labor laws, compliance obligations, and the consequences of non-compliance can help mitigate the risk of violations. Hiring experienced legal counsel: Banks can hire experienced legal counsel to provide guidance on labor laws and assist with compliance efforts. Legal counsel can also help banks stay up-to-date with changes in labor laws and advise on how to navigate any compliance challenges that arise.
Employee benefits	Banks often offer a range of employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks. Legal departments may need to provide guidance on issues such as benefit plan design, compliance with ERISA requirements, and employee claims for benefits.	Robust Benefit Plan Design and Documentation: Ensure that the bank's employee benefit plans are designed to comply with applicable laws and regulations, such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Well-documented benefit plans with clear guidelines and provisions can help mitigate legal risks and provide a framework for managing employee claims effectively. Regular Compliance Audits: Conduct periodic audits of the bank's benefit plans to ensure ongoing compliance with ERISA requirements and other relevant laws.
Employee relations	Banks typically employ a large number of staff, which can create challenges in managing employee relations. Legal departments may need to provide guidance on issues such as employee complaints, disciplinary action, and terminations.	Robust HR Policies and Procedures: Implementing comprehensive HR policies and procedures is crucial to effectively manage employee relations. These policies should cover areas such as employee complaints, disciplinary actions, and terminations. Clear guidelines on how to address and resolve these issues can help minimize risks and ensure fair and consistent treatment of employees. Employee Training and Awareness Programs: Conduct regular training programs to educate employees about their rights, responsibilities, and the company's policies and procedures. This can help prevent misunderstandings, promote a positive work environment, and reduce the likelihood of employee complaints or disputes. Training should also cover topics such as respectful workplace behavior, conflict resolution, and proper channels for reporting concerns.
Employment contracts	Banks often have complex employment contracts that need to be carefully drafted and negotiated to ensure compliance with employment laws and protect the bank's interests. These contracts may also need to be updated regularly to reflect changes in the law or the bank's business needs.	Legal Compliance Review: Implement a robust legal compliance review process to ensure that all employment contracts are carefully drafted and negotiated in accordance with employment laws. This control would involve engaging legal experts who specialize in employment law to review and approve employment contracts to minimize the risk of non-compliance. Regular Contract Updates: Establish a system for regularly reviewing and updating employment contracts to reflect changes in the law or the bank's business needs. This control would involve assigning a dedicated team or legal department to monitor employment laws and regulations, proactively identify necessary changes to contracts, and ensure timely updates to maintain compliance.
Immigration compliance	Banks may hire foreign workers or sponsor employees for visas, which can create additional compliance obligations under immigration laws. Legal departments may need to provide guidance on visa requirements, sponsorships, and compliance with immigration regulations.	Develop a comprehensive compliance program: A comprehensive compliance program that includes policies, procedures, and training can help ensure that the organization is meeting all relevant immigration laws and regulations. The program should cover topics such as visa requirements, sponsorships, and compliance with immigration regulations. Conduct thorough background checks: Before hiring foreign workers or sponsoring employees for visas, it's important to conduct thorough background checks to ensure that they meet all legal requirements. This can include verifying their education and work experience, as well as conducting criminal background checks. Work with experienced immigration attorneys: Experienced immigration attorneys can provide guidance on visa requirements, sponsorships, and compliance with immigration regulations. They can also help the organization develop a comprehensive compliance program and provide training to employees on immigration laws and regulations.
Wage and hour issues	Wage and hour laws are some of the most heavily regulated areas of employment law, and violations can result in significant financial penalties. Legal departments in banks need to stay up-to-date on changes to these laws and ensure that the bank is complying with all applicable wage and hour requirements.	Regular Training and Education: Establish a comprehensive training program for all bank employees, particularly HR personnel and managers responsible for overseeing wage and hour compliance. This program should cover the latest developments in wage and hour laws, including any changes, updates, or interpretations. Regularly educate employees on their rights, responsibilities, and obligations under these laws. Robust Compliance Monitoring and Auditing: Implement a system of regular monitoring and internal audits to ensure ongoing compliance with wage and hour laws.
Workplace safety	Banks have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace for their employees, and legal departments may need to provide guidance on issues such as workplace safety protocols, OSHA compliance, and workers' compensation claims.	Comprehensive Workplace Safety Protocols: Implementing and enforcing robust workplace safety protocols is the most effective control measure. This includes developing and communicating safety policies, conducting regular safety training for employees, maintaining proper signage and safety equipment, and establishing procedures for reporting and addressing safety concerns. By prioritizing and adhering to these protocols, banks can significantly reduce workplace accidents and injuries. OSHA Compliance: Compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines and regulations is crucial. Banks should closely monitor and ensure adherence to OSHA requirements, such as maintaining a safe work environment, conducting regular inspections, addressing any identified hazards promptly, and keeping accurate records. Compliance with OSHA standards helps mitigate workplace risks and demonstrates a commitment to employee safety. By staying updated on OSHA regulations and proactively implementing necessary measures, banks can reduce the likelihood of workplace incidents and minimize legal risks associated with non-compliance.

Intellectual Property and Technology: key risks and controls

In charge of overseeing and defending the bank's intellectual property, which includes its trademarks, patents, and copyrights, as well as giving legal counsel on matters relating to technology.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Keeping up with rapidly changing technology	The legal department must stay up to date with the latest developments in technology and their legal implications. This can be challenging as technology is constantly evolving, and the law often lags behind.	Continuous Education and Training Programs: Implementing regular training programs for the legal department staff to stay updated on the latest technological advancements and their legal implications is crucial. This can include attending conferences, webinars, and workshops, as well as subscribing to relevant publications and industry updates. By continuously educating the legal team, they can proactively address potential legal risks arising from technological advancements. Collaboration with Technology Experts: Foster collaboration between the legal department and technology experts within the organization or external consultants.
Managing data privacy and security	The legal department must ensure that the bank is compliant with data privacy and security laws and regulations. This includes drafting and implementing data privacy policies, responding to data breaches, and managing third-party data sharing agreements.	Comprehensive Data Privacy Policies and Procedures: Implementing well-drafted data privacy policies and procedures is crucial to ensure compliance with data privacy and security laws and regulations. This control should include guidelines on data collection, storage, usage, access controls, and breach notification protocols. Regularly reviewing and updating these policies is essential to keep up with evolving legal requirements and emerging threats. Robust Data Security Measures: Implementing strong data security measures is vital to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, breaches, or leaks. This control involves employing encryption techniques, implementing access controls and user authentication mechanisms, regularly patching and updating software and systems, conducting regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing, and implementing secure network architectures.
Managing disputes related to technology	The legal department may be called upon to manage disputes related to technology, such as disputes over software licensing or intellectual property infringement.	Contract Management: The most effective control to mitigate the risk of legal disputes related to technology is to ensure that all technology-related contracts are properly managed. This includes reviewing contracts before they are signed to ensure that they contain appropriate clauses and provisions, such as indemnification and limitation of liability clauses. It is also important to ensure that contracts are properly documented, stored, and accessible to relevant stakeholders. Intellectual Property Protection: Protecting intellectual property through patents, trademarks, and copyrights can also help mitigate the risk of legal disputes related to technology. This includes conducting regular intellectual property audits to identify potential infringements and taking proactive steps to protect the company's intellectual property rights. Employee Training: Educating employees on technology-related legal issues, such as software licensing and intellectual property rights, can help mitigate the risk of legal disputes. This includes providing regular training sessions on these topics and ensuring that employees are aware of the company's policies and procedures related to technology use and management.
Negotiating technology contracts	The legal department is responsible for negotiating contracts with technology vendors and partners. These contracts can be complex and involve a range of issues, such as licensing, intellectual property rights, and liability.	Standardized Contract Templates and Guidelines: Developing and implementing standardized contract templates and guidelines can significantly reduce the risks involved in negotiating contracts. These templates should cover key aspects such as licensing terms, intellectual property rights, and liability provisions. By using standardized templates, the legal department can ensure consistency and accuracy while minimizing potential errors or omissions in contracts. Legal Review and Approval Process: Establishing a robust legal review and approval process is crucial to mitigate risks. This process should involve legal experts thoroughly reviewing contracts before they are finalized and signed. The legal team can identify and address potential legal pitfalls, negotiate favorable terms, and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This control ensures that contracts are legally sound and protect the organization's interests.
Protecting the bank's intellectual property	The legal department must ensure that the bank's intellectual property, such as trademarks and patents, are properly protected. This involves conducting regular audits of the bank's intellectual property portfolio and taking appropriate legal action to enforce and defend the bank's intellectual property rights.	Implement a comprehensive intellectual property management policy: A well-defined intellectual property management policy should be in place that defines the processes for identifying, protecting, and managing the bank's intellectual property. The policy should outline the procedures for conducting regular audits of the bank's intellectual property portfolio and taking appropriate legal action to enforce and defend the bank's intellectual property rights. This control is the most effective in mitigating the risk, as it establishes a framework for managing and protecting the bank's intellectual property. Conduct regular audits of the bank's intellectual property portfolio: Regular audits of the bank's intellectual property portfolio will help identify any potential risks and ensure that all intellectual property is properly protected. These audits should be conducted by the legal department or a third-party vendor with expertise in intellectual property management. This control is effective in mitigating the risk, as it ensures that the bank is aware of any potential threats to its intellectual property. Implement a legal action plan: A legal action plan should be in place that outlines the procedures for taking appropriate legal action to enforce and defend the bank's intellectual property rights. The plan should be designed to identify potential infringement and determine the appropriate legal action to take. This control is effective in mitigating the risk, as it establishes a process for taking legal action when necessary to protect the bank's intellectual property.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution: key risks and controls

In charge of overseeing and settling legal disputes and claims in which the bank is a party or a defendant.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Adapting to changing regulations	Regulations governing the banking industry can change frequently, and legal professionals need to stay up-to-date on these changes to ensure compliance. They must also be able to adapt quickly to new regulations and adjust their litigation strategies accordingly.	Regulatory Monitoring and Alert Systems: Implementing a robust regulatory monitoring system is crucial to staying updated on the latest changes in banking industry regulations. This control involves subscribing to regulatory update services, utilizing automated monitoring tools, and establishing alerts for any changes that could impact litigation strategies. By receiving timely notifications and updates, legal professionals can proactively adapt their approaches and ensure compliance. Continuous Education and Training: Legal professionals should invest in ongoing education and training programs to enhance their understanding of banking regulations.
Balancing risk and reward	Litigation can be costly, both in terms of time and resources. Legal professionals must weigh the potential reward of pursuing a case against the risks involved, including the possibility of an unfavorable outcome.	Risk Assessment and Management: Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential legal risks, evaluate the likelihood and potential impact of these risks, and develop a risk management plan to mitigate them. This can involve establishing policies and procedures to reduce the likelihood of litigation, as well as monitoring and reporting on potential risks and incidents. Contract Management: Ensure that all contracts are reviewed and negotiated by legal professionals to ensure that they contain appropriate provisions to protect against litigation. This may include limiting liability, setting clear expectations and obligations for both parties, and including dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration or mediation. Compliance Programs: Establish and maintain robust compliance programs to ensure that the organization and its employees comply with all applicable laws and regulations. This may involve conducting regular training sessions, implementing internal controls and audits, and monitoring and reporting on compliance-related incidents. By being proactive and demonstrating a commitment to compliance, organizations can reduce the likelihood of litigation and mitigate the potential risks involved.
Dealing with sensitive information	Litigation can involve sensitive information, including customer data and proprietary information. Legal professionals must take steps to protect this information while still providing effective representation.	Access Controls and User Authentication: Implementing strong access controls and user authentication mechanisms is crucial to protect sensitive information. This can include requiring unique login credentials, enforcing strong password policies, implementing multi-factor authentication, and regularly reviewing and updating user access privileges. These measures help ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information, reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized disclosures. Encryption: Encrypting sensitive information both at rest and in transit provides an additional layer of protection. Encryption converts the data into an unreadable format, which can only be decrypted with the appropriate encryption key.
Managing a large number of cases	Commercial banks are often involved in numerous legal cases, and managing these cases can be challenging. Legal professionals need to keep track of the progress of each case, including deadlines, filings, and court appearances.	Implement a case management system: A case management system can help to track the progress of each case and ensure that deadlines, filings, and court appearances are not missed. The system should be designed to capture all relevant case information, including key dates, milestones, and documents. Assign a dedicated legal team: A dedicated legal team can help to ensure that legal cases are managed effectively. The team should have a clear understanding of the bank's legal obligations and should be responsible for tracking the progress of each case, communicating with external legal counsel, and ensuring that all deadlines are met. Conduct regular legal audits: Regular legal audits can help to identify potential legal risks and ensure that the bank is complying with all relevant laws and regulations. The audit should cover all aspects of legal compliance, including case management, contract management, and regulatory compliance. The audit should be conducted by an independent third party to ensure objectivity and impartiality.
Managing relationships with stakeholders	Legal professionals must work closely with a range of stakeholders, including bank executives, outside counsel, and regulators. They must be able to manage these relationships effectively while advocating for the bank's interests.	Clear Policies and Procedures: Establishing clear and comprehensive policies and procedures that outline the expected behavior, responsibilities, and boundaries for legal professionals when interacting with stakeholders is crucial. These guidelines should promote transparency, ethical conduct, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Regular training and communication regarding these policies are essential to ensure awareness and understanding among legal professionals. Robust Compliance Program: Implementing a robust compliance program is vital to mitigate risks associated with stakeholder interactions.
Resolving disputes efficiently	Disputes can be time-consuming and costly, and legal professionals must work to resolve them efficiently. This can involve negotiating settlements or using alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration or mediation.	Clear and Comprehensive Contracts: One of the most effective controls is to have clear and comprehensive contracts in place. Contracts should clearly outline the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of all parties involved, leaving little room for interpretation or ambiguity. By ensuring that contracts are well-drafted and cover all essential terms, potential disputes can be minimized or resolved more easily. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms: Implementing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as arbitration or mediation, can significantly reduce the time and cost associated with resolving disputes.

This register is a starting point for risk identification and benchmarking against international practice. Adapt the risks and controls to your institution's size, products, jurisdiction and regulatory requirements.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the key risks in Legal?

The main risk areas covered are Banking Law and Regulation, Contract Management, Corporate and Securities Law, Employment Law, Intellectual Property and Technology, Litigation and Dispute Resolution. Each unit lists its key risks with a short explanation and the best-practice controls that mitigate them.

How do I use this register for a risk and control self-assessment?

Select the risks that apply to your units, map the listed controls to the controls you actually operate, rate inherent risk and control effectiveness, then agree actions for gaps. The free RCSA workbook on this page has the columns ready.

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