Ours is a complicated business, in which commercial activities are increasingly based on a web of relationships with different airline and commercial partners.

At the same time there has been a substantial increase in the amount of regulation to which we are subject, producing a constant demand for legal advice.

In recent years we have brought much of British Airways' important legal work in-house, and the department now has lawyers specialising in everything from employment law to aircraft finance.

There are a number of advantages to having a dedicated Legal Department. For a start, in-house lawyers tend to be cheaper than external lawyers. Because they know the company well, their advice is tailored to the business. They are accessible to those who need their advice and support, which in turn encourages people to seek help quickly and efficiently.

Our in-house lawyers are effective managers of external lawyers. They can direct them in such a way as to ensure the company receives a high standard of advice in a cost-effective way. What's more, in-house lawyers are in a better position to identify the need for legal advice. They can be proactive in dealing with issues before problems arise.

Recent work undertaken in-house includes the oneworld alliance, where the only external lawyers involved prior to the announcements were competition lawyers; the re-negotiation of the Qantas Joint Services Agreement; and the negotiation of our in-flight entertainment system arrangements with Rockwell Collins. We have also assisted with a wide range of aircraft sale, purchase and financing transactions. All of our franchise agreements have been written in-house.