Legal Week has launched the first in a series of video debates that will see senior in-house lawyers and partners discuss the key legal topics affecting clients.

What the briefings say… draws on the most popular briefings from Legal Week Law, the online library of law updates targeted at in-house lawyers. The videos are free to watch for users of Legal Week Law, which has attracted more than 15,000 registrations since its launch in March 2010.

The first debate is chaired by Jeremy Barton, the general counsel and head of risk management of Boston Consulting Group. Accompanying Barton on the first episode is National Grid senior counsel Ian Leedham, telecommunications company Intelsat's assistant GC Robert Cummins, Nabarro head of employment Julie Quinn and Ernst & Young assistant director Jonathan Maas.

Topics under discussion in the first debate include the billable hour and alternative fee arrangements, the Bribery Act, changes in employment law, document retention and termination for breach/force majeure.

The show will run quarterly, with the next panel discussion set for September this year, when a new GC will be selected to chair the debate, alongside a number of in-house counsel and lawyers from private practice.

Legal Week publisher John Malpas commented: "It is an essential part of the role of general counsel to keep a watchful eye on the latest legal developments, whether they be important judgments, legislative changes, or a major geopolitical event. With the aid of experts from private practice, this regular series of debates aims to put the latest legal news in context by offering practical advice in an engaging format."

Legal Week Law now includes more than 2,500 documents from over 200 law firms including Allen & Overy, DLA Piper, Latham & Watkins, Herbert Smith, Eversheds, Baker & McKenzie, Travers Smith, Nabarro and Wragge & Co.