Head Counsel, Litigation

Reporting to the General Group Counsel, this position leads a team to manage all litigation, dispute resolution processes and provides legal advisory to the Retail and Branch network, Corporate and Head Office Functions on legal issues with a view to mitigating legal risks and prevent adverse consequences to the Bank.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing the Litigation team and ensuring excellent service provision and performance management and team motivation and development.
• Manage all major litigation and disputes in which the Bank is a party to ensure the bank is adequately represented including appearing before any court or tribunal as a witness or to watch brief as necessary.
• Conduct legal research, collate evidence, prepare witnesses for pre-trial and hearing, develop concept papers, prepare legal briefs and opinions as well as develop effective defence strategies, arguments and testimony in preparation for legal proceedings of cases in liaison with external lawyers. Create legal awareness and provide advice on suitable action to avert and/or minimize litigation.
• Manage and measure external lawyers’ performance to ensure efficiency.
• Manage litigation costs to a minimum including but not limited to negotiating suitable settlements in favour of the Bank where deemed appropriate and also scrutinizing legal fees and ensure they are raised in accordance with the Remuneration Order and Service Level Agreement.
• Manage database of all litigation to ensure the same is consistently up-to-date and prepare relevant reports, presentations and analysis of all litigation monthly/quarterly or as may be required.
• Manage all debt collection related matters and create legal awareness and provide advice on suitable action to avert and/or minimize litigation including ensuring all Statutory Demand Notices are issued correctly and in time.
• Provide legal advisory to special assets team in corporate restructuring of facilities.
• Render legal guidance to Retail branches on matters relating to bank policies, processes and procedures on all queries received with a view to mitigating legal and reputational risks.
• Peruse, review and analyze quarterly reports and court judgments and make recommendations to the business on the findings and also take corrective action where appropriate.
• Any other duties as assigned. 

The Person

For the above position, the successful applicant should have the following:

• Holder of a Bachelor's degree in Law from a recognized university.
• Post-graduate Diploma in Law and Advocate of the High Court
• Have at least eight (8) years' relevant post-admission work experience, including specific areas:
  • Dispute resolution, including litigation
  • Legal drafting
  • Legal communication and advocacy
  • Risk management
• Have a high attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to effectively manage a varied calibre of stakeholders 

To be considered your application must be received by Friday 22nd August 2025.

Qualified candidates with disability are encouraged to apply.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.