Job Description

Purpose of Job:

To independently lead and manage the litigation function of the Bank, including coordination with external counsel in all cases instituted by or against the Bank.
To support the Chief Legal Officer / Head of Legal in managing legal, regulatory, and contentious matters impacting the Bank.
To oversee and manage the Bank’s tax litigation matters, including coordination with tax counsel, regulatory authorities, and internal stakeholders.

Roles & Responsibilities:

General:

Handle routine legal queries from branches and Head Office, particularly those related to litigation matters.
Manage and oversee contentious and non-contentious litigation involving the Bank.
Draft written responses, pleadings, and submissions for courts, tribunals, and regulatory authorities, including the State Bank of Pakistan.
Draft Show Cause Notices, where required, based on investigation reports shared by the HR Department.
Actively participate in HRCC meetings and manage matters arising therefrom.
Maintain close coordination and regular follow-up with branch-level and external panel lawyers on all cases, including obtaining timely updates on case status.
Provide full legal support to branches in relation to litigation and related legal matters.
Act as focal person for advising branches on court notices, orders, and related legal actions.
Manage and regularly update the litigation dashboard in accordance with agreed timelines.
Draft and vet contracts, agreements, and legal opinions, as required.
Actively contribute to Bank-wide projects and initiatives requiring legal support.
Conduct periodic visits to branches and local courts, alongside panel lawyers, to monitor ground-level developments and assess counsel performance.

Tax Litigation Management:

Manage and oversee all tax-related litigation involving the Bank, including matters relating to income tax, sales tax, withholding tax, and other fiscal disputes.
Coordinate with external tax counsel and relevant authorities, including tax forums and appellate bodies, for effective handling of tax litigation matters.
Review notices, assessments, appeals, and legal submissions relating to tax disputes, and provide strategic input on case management and resolution.
Maintain tracking and reporting of tax litigation matters and apprise management of developments, exposures, and outcomes.
To extend all and any support required by the legal team and undertake any additional responsibility assigned by Chief Legal Officer and Head of Legal.

Technical Competency:

Sound knowledge and practical understanding of local laws, including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, petitions, and FIR-related matters.
Strong command over corporate laws and regulatory requirements, including specialized experience in intellectual property rights and enforcement.
Working knowledge and practical experience in handling tax litigation and related legal proceedings before tax authorities and appellate forums.

Soft Competency:

Strong sense of responsibility, with effective written and oral communication skills.
Self-driven, organized, punctual, and capable of managing complex situations independently.
Strong presentation and stakeholder management skills.
Proficiency in MS Word and PowerPoint.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team as well as independently.

Experience & Qualification:

LLB from an HEC-recognized institution. Candidates with Bar-at-Law qualification will be preferred.
Minimum 8-10 years of relevant experience, preferably in banking, microfinance, or financial services.
Experience in handling banking and tax litigation matters will be preferred.

Required Skills

Case Analysis,Legal Research Skills,Litigation Management