On the morning of 30th November 2024, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Branch of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI-HCM), hosted the CEOs Networking Talk Show on the topic “Using lawyer services in legal management: Current practices and recommendations for the managers” The event was part of the “CEO 4.0 Executive Training Program (2nd Course of 2024)”. The talk show featured insights from arbitrators, mediators and managing partners of leading domestic and international law firms partnering with VIAC, attracting the participation of over 100 CEOs participants.
Mr. Nguyen Gia Huy Chuong - Managing Partner of Global Vietnam Lawyers
Starting the talk show, Mr. Nguyen Gia Huy Chuong - Managing Partner of Global Vietnam Lawyers provided an overview of outsourcing legal services for corporate legal management. He highlighted that outsourcing legal services is a prevalent solution addressing diverse business needs, from routine services to specific cases, such as legal advice, contract drafting and review, M&A procedures, licensing and dispute resolution. Mr. Chuong emphasized the advantages of outsourced legal services, including the high specialization, the independence and objectivity in opinions, and the extensive experience in handling complex issues. However, he also pointed out limitations, such as the lack of constant lawyer presence and longer response times compared to in-house legal teams. He recommended that businesses should classify legal issues proactively, determining when to handle matters internally and when to seek external legal support to optimize legal management effectiveness
Mr. Vu Le Bang - Managing Partner of Nishimura & Asahi Vietnam
Next, Mr. Vu Le Bang - Managing Partner of Nishimura & Asahi Vietnam analyzed the current adoption of outsourced legal services by businesses in Vietnam. According to Mr. Bang, large and multinational companies often view outsourced legal services as an “investment” in sustainable development and “insurance” to mitigate legal risks. In contrast, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tend to focus on cost minimization and prioritize business growth, thus paying less attention to legal compliance. However, recent regulatory changes have prompted SMEs to recognize the importance of specialized legal advice in staying compliant and reducing risks. Mr. Bang also cautioned about potential risks in outsourcing legal services, including information security concerns, inconsistent service quality, cultural and language differences, as well as over-reliance on external services. He stressed that selecting local or international law firms and deciding whether to collaborate with one or multiple partners should depend on the company’s operations, budget, and specific legal requirements.
Mr. Dang Viet Anh - Managing Partner, Director of ANHISA, Arbitrator of VIAC, Mediator of VMC
Continuing the event, Mr. Dang Viet Anh - Managing Partner, Director of ANHISA, Arbitrator of VIAC, Mediator of VMC, shared key considerations for businesses using outsourced legal services in court and arbitration proceedings. He noted that post-COVID-19 shifts in policies, monetary systems and legal frameworks have increased the likelihood of new disputes, including cross-border disputes, in addition to traditional issues like contract breaches or illegal actions. This necessitates the use of professional legal services to ensure comprehensive dispute resolution. According to Mr. Viet Anh, combining in-house legal teams with external legal support enables businesses to benefit from specialized advice and effective assistance in complex disputes. To achieve efficiency and minimize costs, he advised companies to tailor their outsourced legal services according to litigation progress. Drawing from real-life cases, Mr. Viet Anh illustrated the steps lawyers take in each stage of litigation. He emphasized the role of lawyers in alternative dispute resolution methods, such as arbitration and mediation, recommending that businesses involve lawyers from the initial drafting of dispute resolution clauses to the enforcement of awards to ensure efficient dispute management.
The discussion session moderated by Mr. Chau Viet Bac - Vice Secretary General of VIAC
The talk show concluded with a discussion session moderated by Mr. Chau Viet Bac - Vice Secretary General of VIAC, featured participation from the Experts. This interactive segment allowed experts to address legal challenges faced by executives in their businesses, offering practical solutions and valuable advice on legal management and the effective use of lawyer services.
Through the CEOs Networking Talk Show organized by VIAC and VCCI-HCM, businesses gained access to valuable market insights, information on legal service models and recommendations for reputable law firms; these enabling companies to select appropriate solutions for addressing legal issues arising in their operations effectively.
Some images at the Talk Show
.png "Trường đại học ngoại thương"){kind=logo}
