To oversee high-stakes litigation and complex legal disputes, ensuring the bank’s position is effectively represented., handle, manage and address from beginning to end complex and material litigation cases relating to: 1) any non-performing borrower in the commercial / corporate portfolio of the Bank,2) cases filed against the Bank and / or cases filed against any of the Group companies, 3) A hands- on manager responsible for maintaining proper litigation records related to reports required internally and externally (UAE Central Bank , Bank auditors; and 4) handling and supervising complex material restructuring & bankruptcy matters (under the direct supervision of Unit Head, Group Litigation) to ensure the bank’s interests are fully protected
Assess the legal risks associated with ongoing or potential litigation, advising management on possible outcomes, financial exposure, and business impact.
Manage, supervise and mentor junior lawyers and legal associates, ensuring they meet the organization's legal standards.
Independently handle, defend & manage and supervise the wide-ranging commercial dispute cases that relates to the Corporate and RBG portfolios independently, including (not limited to):
- Drafting and issuance of legal notices to third parties on behalf of the Stakeholders Customers and replying to legal notices received from them or their lawyers after reviewing and studying the issues, documents, exchange of correspondence, potential problems, disputes, differences, contentions and consequent legal effects.
- Manage and handle litigation cases , provide well-reasoned and constructive opinion as an expert and appearing before various courts directly or through external counsels on behalf of the Bank, preparing statements of claim, defenses, replies, issues, pleadings, evidences and submissions of civil cases relating to problematic and non-performing loans of commercial / corporate borrowers; meeting with external lawyers, counsels, experts, accountants, public prosecutor and other officials of the Court to present Bank’s highest interests.
- Set suitable litigation strategies for defending claims filed against the Bank.
- Set suitable litigation strategies for recovery claims filed by the Bank, including consideration of precautionary and executionary attachments instituting law suits, filing appeals and cassations with Courts, Govt. depts., law enforcement authorities and bodies, police, public prosecution, central bank, local and federal.
- Supervise, mange and handle criminal actions portfolio / matters to which the Bank is a party and the matters involving the Bank’s staff that by drafting applications, petitions, defenses, evidences, and submissions to the Police, Public Prosecution, Courts and any other Law Enforcement Authorities and other procedural functions.
- Handle and supervise complex restructuring & bankruptcy matters.
- Maintain, supervise, manage and control consolidated tracker of the litigation matters and share the update on progress with the stakeholders on time manner; maintain and update and keep in track all other reports that are required to be provided the periodic updates / reports to the external auditors as well as the Central Bank.
- Supervising the Government Regulatory team (GRU) and coordinating with them on legal and regulatory matters pertaining to the Bank with respective to Courts, Central Bank and other authorities, local investigation agencies / authorities.
- To be abreast of all legal developments, official practices and procedures across different Emirates and jurisdictions on a continuing basis, reviewing legal manuals and reports, court judgements, changes in judicial systems and amendments in various statutes and legislations, promulgation of new laws, regulations, legislation, presidential and ministerial decrees, by-laws and orders and advising the same to the Group.
- Meet internal and external critical delivery standards.
- Establish and mange a good rapport with external lawyers and agencies for optimizing performance and results.
Manage and control the legal cost in connection/ pertaining to the litigation matters / fees
- Law Graduate with at least 10 years’ relevant experience in the UAE as a member of a legal firm or having worked in a legal department of a financial institution.
- Fluent in Arabic and English
- Computer literate.
- Excellent quality of legal drafting (including report writing).
- Good interpersonal and presentation skills.
- Understanding of the relevant laws, regulations, and practices.
- Ability to make decisions and follow through with initiatives.
- Personal integrity and self-management.
- Planning, organizing, and analytical ability.
- Results oriented.
- Knowledge of international and local commercial litigation practice in the financial sector.
- Self-motivated, eye for detail.
- Ability to persuade others.
- Flexible team player and able to work and deliver under pressure.
- Ability to work with teams from diverse cultural backgrounds.
