Process & Procedures refers to the documented workflows, protocols, and operational standards that guide how legal work is performed across the department. These are the internal mechanics that determine how efficiently, consistently, and predictably your legal team delivers value.

On the Human Capital Line, this station is a critical enabler. Even the most talented lawyers will struggle to perform if they are forced to navigate ambiguity, reinvent workflows, or rely on tribal knowledge. High-quality processes and procedures provide structure, reduce friction, and allow legal professionals to focus on high-value work.

This station forces legal leadership to ask: Are we deploying our human capital effectively? Because without clear processes, lawyers spend time chasing approvals, duplicating effort, and second-guessing decisions. With them, the team operates like a well-oiled machine - aligned, accountable, and scalable.

Ultimately, Process & Procedures is the legal department’s operating system. It’s not about bureaucracy - it’s about enabling your people to perform at their best.

The scope of Process & Procedures typically includes:

◼️Workflow Documentation – Clear, step-by-step guidance for recurring legal tasks.

◼️Approval Protocols – Defined pathways for decision-making and escalation.

◼️Service Delivery Standards – Expectations around responsiveness and quality.

◼️Template Usage Rules – Mandates for using approved legal documents.

◼️Compliance Procedures – Embedded regulatory and policy adherence.

◼️Knowledge Management – Systems for capturing and sharing legal know-how.

◼️Process Ownership – Assigned accountability for maintaining and improving procedures.

◼️Continuous Improvement Frameworks – Mechanisms for reviewing and refining processes.

In GLS legal ops speak – the Process & Procedures is considered a “Foundational” resource within the process ecosystem of an in-house legal team.

The Foundational Resource is a CRE that is responsible for determining the overall performance capabilities of a “critical” legal function. If it is not optimised, the function can never be optimised. 

The best practice features of Process & Procedures are as follows:

◼️Adequate Coverage – Prioritises the most critical workflows first to ensure maximum impact.

◼️Future Readiness – Designed with technology enablement in mind to support automation and scalability.

◼️Delegation Ready – Structured to empower junior team members with clear, repeatable tasks.

◼️Board-Endorsed Operating Framework – Ensures alignment with enterprise standards.

◼️Accessible Documentation – Easy-to-navigate guides available to all team members.

◼️Role-Based Workflows – Tailored processes for different legal functions and levels.

◼️Embedded Compliance – Regulatory requirements built into daily operations.

◼️Feedback Loops – Regular reviews to refine and improve procedures.

The Process & Procedures station delivers the following value to the Business:

◼️Faster Legal Turnaround – Streamlined workflows reduce delays and confusion.

◼️Improved Consistency – Standardised procedures ensure reliable outcomes.

◼️Reduced Risk – Embedded compliance and clear escalation paths.

◼️Scalable Legal Support – Processes enable growth without chaos.

◼️Cost Efficiency – Less time wasted on low-value or duplicated tasks.

For the legal team, Process & Procedures provides:

◼️Productivity – Lawyers are empowered by clear processes to achieve more, faster.

◼️Development – Junior lawyers develop faster, guided by structured workflows and repeatable tasks.

◼️Operational Clarity – Lawyers know what to do, how to do it, and when.

◼️Morale Boost – Reduced frustration and increased confidence in delivery.

◼️Performance Visibility – Easier to track and improve team output.

◼️Onboarding Acceleration – New hires integrate faster with documented workflows.

◼️Transformation Readiness – Structured operations support innovation and change.

The Process & Procedures station is essential for:

◼️Legal Department Leadership

◼️In-House Counsel

◼️Legal Operations Teams

◼️HR & Talent Managers

◼️Executive Management

◼️Risk & Compliance Officers

◼️Internal Audit Functions

A legal team operating without a Process & Procedures framework will face a wide range of inefficiencies including:

◼️Inconsistent legal advice and service delivery

◼️Increased risk exposure due to procedural gaps

◼️Poor morale and high frustration levels

◼️Difficulty onboarding new team members

◼️Reduced ability to scale or transform

◼️Lack of performance data and accountability

Process & Procedures is highly technology-leveraged:

◼️Workflow Automation Tools – Digitise and streamline legal processes.

◼️Document Management Systems – Store and manage procedural documentation.

◼️Legal Ops Platforms – Integrate procedures into service delivery.

◼️Training Portals – Host process-related learning materials.

◼️Performance Dashboards – Track adherence and impact of procedures.

Technology amplifies the value of good processes - but cannot compensate for their absence.