Experience

Phone-paid Services Authority

• United Kingdom
• Telecommunications
• 1 - 100 Employee

• General Counsel

  • May 2014 - Present

  • Provision of comprehensive legal services and corporate governance support to the PSA Board, Sub-committees, Code Adjudication Panel and full legal support across all operational and corporate services areas. Key focus on achievement of Vision, Mission and strategic priorities whilst ensuring legal risk is continuously identified and mitigated.• Member of the Executive Leadership team responsible for strategic direction and planning, stakeholder management, operational effectiveness and organisational development.• Ongoing senior level working relationships with major stakeholders: UK government departments and regulatory bodies – e.g. DCMS, Treasury, Ofcom, CMA, FCA and ICO; Industry – network operators and intermediaries; Merchants - blue-chips such as Google, Microsoft and Apple to deliver compliant services using phone payment.• Oversight and management of the Legal Directorate ensuring delivery against business plan and strategic priorities:- technical advice on UK and EU law; application and enforcement of PSA Code of Practice; support on PSA regulatory policy and Code development, enforcement processes and procedures, commercial negotiations and drafting of agreements; management of JRs / other litigation and dispute resolution activity; HR advice and support; compliance with Data Protection / other regulations and PSA obligations as a public body, arms-length body of DCMS and as a limited company.- ongoing support to regulatory investigations and resolution of cases through informal and formal enforcement activity, post adjudicatory work and debt recovery activity, co-ordinated working with other regulators and enforcement authorities. • Oversight of legal and administrative support provisioning to the Code Adjudication Panel responsible for reaching determinations / sanctions re non-compliance with the PSA Code and relevant law.• Oversight of external legal services provisioning and outsourcing, ensuring quality and value for money.

• Head of Legal

  • Apr 2008 - Apr 2014

  • Managed a team of lawyers to deliver effective legal advice and support to the organization.• Managed provisioning of legal support to the Code Adjudication Panel. • Managed all regulatory challenges to PSA decisions, as well as private law action and litigation in the courts.• Responsible for the provision of technical legal advice on all areas affecting PSA’s regulatory activity – in particular the operation of EU law on the application of the Code of Practice, including the eCommerce, Authorisation, Technical Standards and Payment Services Directives.• Managed provision of quality legal support to the Investigations team, in particular ensuring high quality of cases presented to PSA’s Code Adjudication Tribunal.• Supported development of policy initiatives including revised Codes of Practice, ensuring legal soundness; advised on public consultations and legal risk, and liaised with relevant stakeholders and interested parties.• Supported and ensured the organisation’s compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements such as Companies Act, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Health and Safety, etc.• Responsible for the development of the team, agreeing stretching role and personal development objectives; conducting regular progress meetings and annual performance reviews.

• In-House Counsel / Legal Adviser

  • Feb 2003 - Mar 2008

  • Established internal legal function for the organisation, changing from a purely outsourcing arrangement.• Point of contact for legal advice and support for the organisation’s regulatory and enforcement activities.• Reviewed policy documents and guidance, as well as procedural and process documents.• Negotiated, reviewed and drafted supplier agreements for the organisation.• Instructed external advisers where required for specialist advice and/or conduct of oral hearings following a first instance PhonepayPlus Tribunal decision.• Conducted investigations into suspected non-compliance with the ICSTIS/PhonepayPlus Code of Practice.



Royal Bank of Scotland

• Banking
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Lawyer (Litigation Team)

  • Jan 2000 - May 2002

  • Advised on various statutory provisions relevant to the Group; e.g. Companies, Data Protection, Insolvency, Charities, VAT and Taxes Management Acts.• Advised on and negotiated with regulatory/investigatory authorities regarding application of their statutory powers.• Advised on operational queries re Indemnities and lending (non-commercial) agreements.• Advised on pre-action and litigation matters and other forms of dispute resolution.• Advised on third party actions and orders affecting the Bank e.g. disclosures (including drafting and amending of witness statements), garnishee and freezing orders.• Reviewed and advised on contractual documentation subject to legal or commercial dispute.



NatWest

• Banking
• 700 & Above Employee

• Litigation officer/Lawyer

  • 1998 - 2000

  • Managed third party actions and orders affecting the Bank (including disclosures and injunctions) ensuring full compliance.• Reviewed contractual documentation subject to legal and/or commercial dispute.• Advised branch/department networks in relation to various provisions of applicable law including Taxes Management Act 1970, Companies Act 1985, Insolvency Act 1986 and Trades Description Act 1968.• Advised on foreign court orders and provisions of law, requests for disclosure and release of funds.• Instructed external advisers as required.