The Regulator Dealings station focuses on how legal teams manage their interactions with regulatory bodies - not just during crises, but as part of a continuous, strategic relationship. It recognises that regulators are not adversaries, but stakeholders in the organisation’s compliance journey.

This station is about shifting from reactive, event-driven contact to proactive, structured engagement. Legal teams must establish clear protocols for communication, ensure transparency in reporting, and build credibility through consistent, professional dealings. This includes everything from responding to inquiries, submitting required filings, to participating in consultations and industry dialogues.

Effective regulator dealings reduce enforcement risk, improve the organisation’s reputation, and create opportunities for influence. When regulators trust the legal function, they are more likely to engage constructively - even when issues arise.

Ultimately, this station enables legal teams to demonstrate that compliance is not just a checkbox exercise, but a strategic commitment to operating within the law and in the public interest.

The scope of the Regulator Dealings station includes:

◼️Establishing formal protocols for regulator communication.

◼️Maintaining a centralised log of regulatory interactions.

◼️Preparing and submitting required filings and disclosures.

◼️Responding to regulatory inquiries and investigations.

◼️Participating in industry consultations and feedback forums.

◼️Ensuring transparency and consistency in all communications.

◼️Training internal teams on regulator engagement etiquette.

◼️Building long-term relationships with key regulatory bodies.

In GLS legal ops, the Regulator Dealings is considered a "Repeater" resource within legal operations.

A Repeater Resource: Supports multiple legal functions, ensuring that structured legal requests improve contracting, dispute resolution, compliance, and advisory services.

A well-structured Regulator Dealings enhances legal team productivity, reduces wasted time, and improves service delivery across the organization.

The best practice features of the GLP are as follows:

◼️A documented regulator engagement policy and playbook.

◼️A centralised register of all regulatory interactions and outcomes.

◼️Pre-approved templates for regulatory correspondence.

◼️Designated legal leads for each key regulator.

◼️Regular internal briefings on regulatory developments.

◼️Proactive submission of compliance updates and voluntary disclosures.

◼️Participation in regulator-led working groups or consultations.

◼️Training for legal and business teams on regulatory protocols.

The Regulator Dealings station delivers the following value to the Business:

◼️Reduces enforcement risk through proactive engagement.

◼️Builds trust and credibility with regulatory authorities.

◼️Enables faster resolution of compliance issues.

◼️Enhances reputation and stakeholder confidence.

◼️Supports strategic influence in regulatory developments.

◼️Avoids costly penalties and reputational damage.

For the legal team, this station provides:

◼️A structured framework for managing regulator relationships.

◼️Improved responsiveness and consistency in communications.

◼️Greater visibility into regulatory expectations and trends.

◼️Enhanced ability to influence regulatory outcomes.

◼️A defensible record of engagement and transparency.

◼️Increased internal confidence in legal’s handling of regulatory matters.

The Regulator Dealings station is essential for:

◼️Legal Department Leadership

◼️Compliance Officers

◼️Regulatory Affairs Teams

◼️Risk Management Functions

◼️Internal Audit Teams

A legal team operating without a Regulator Dealings station will face a wide range of inefficiencies including:

◼️Disorganised or inconsistent communication with regulators.

◼️Increased risk of enforcement actions and penalties.

◼️Missed opportunities to influence regulatory developments.

◼️Poor internal coordination during regulatory inquiries.

◼️Reduced credibility and trust with authorities.

◼️Difficulty demonstrating compliance maturity.

This station benefits from technology that enables tracking, documentation, and automation of regulatory interactions. A centralised regulator engagement platform can log communications, manage deadlines, and generate reports. Integration with compliance and risk systems ensures that regulator dealings are aligned with broader governance efforts.