FAB, the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest and safest institutions, offers an extensive range of tailor-made solutions, and products and services, to provide a customised experience. Through its strategic offerings, it looks to meet the banking needs of customers across the world via its market-leading Corporate and Investment Banking and Personal Banking franchises.

Job Purpose

The role is responsible for the provision of legal support to FAB’s C&TB and GCF business lines in Asia (mainly India  Singapore, Hong Kong and China) and other non-Global Markets related legal matters, with a primary responsibility for India.  The role manages legal risk in India and elsewhere in Asia (and, where required, other geographies where FAB operates) in accordance with FAB Group legal policies and procedures. 

Job Summary

The role holder implements FAB legal policies as set out by FAB Legal Department and makes sure that legal risks associated with FAB C&TB and GCF operations in India and Asia are properly managed in light of the same. The role holder should be able to work autonomously, but should seek the relevant Head of Legal’s input on unusual situations, complex matters, and issues that may pose significant legal, financial and/or reputational risk to FAB Group. 

The role reports to the Head of Legal Corporate and Transactional Banking (C&TB) & Head of Legal Global Corporate Finance depending on the matters supported and is part of FAB Group legal function. The role has a local functional reporting line to the CEO of India.

Core Responsibilities

Legal Advisory

• Provide legal advice and support to the business while keeping in mind FAB’s strategic and business objectives
• Provide direction and guidance to facilitate FAB’s compliance with all applicable international and domestic laws, rules and regulations.
• Collaborate with the relevant Head of Legal to establish, disseminate and implement the FAB’s Group legal policies.          
• Complete legal tasks and projects in a timely manner and responds to legal queries assigned to him/her by the relevant Head of Legal.

Legal Documentation and  review

• Draft, review and negotiate contracts and other legal documents in order to maximise the FAB Group’s legal protections whilst simultaneously minimising risks.
• Produce and regularly update standardised legal agreements, contracts and standard terms and conditions for FAB in compliance with best practices and applicable legal requirements.
• Assist the India and other Asia business in launching new products and conducts legal and regulatory due diligence on such products, including identifying risks and mitigants in all applicable geographies.
• Provide legal support and advice to the CEOs of FAB India and other Asia branches and business on C&TB and GCF matters and transactions as well as other non GM related legal matters.

Knowledge of External Environment

• Stay abreast of new laws and regulations through continuous legal education, attending professional conferences, and participating in professional associations.
• Provide updates to the FAB India and other Asia senior business and Compliance staff on new legislation and regulatory developments that may have an impact on the FAB Group in Asia and advises FAB on how to comply with such new legislation and regulations
• Work closely with Compliance and provide support on legal aspects of regulatory matters.
• Manage the relationship with FAB panel firms and appoint them whenever external assistance is needed as per Legal policies.

Litigation

• Manage litigation by and against FAB in India and elsewhere in Asia as per Legal policies.
• Reports relevant litigation matters to the Group General Counsel and relevant Head of Legal and provide updates to the relevant stakeholders

Knowledge Sharing

• Work closely and develop a positive professional relationship with the other members of the legal function and share legal knowledge and best practices with legal colleagues, including providing formal and informal training sessions at the direction of the Group General Counsel and relevant Head of Legal.

Stakeholder management

• Liaise with the concerned external authorities such as government agencies, regulators, courts and law firms to ensure effective resolution of all legal matters affecting FAB.

Learning and Development

• Function as a subject matter expert and provides input on learning and development initiatives including training content to ensure value addition and relevance.

MI and reports

• Ensure that all reports related to own area are prepared in a timely and accurately manner, and meet the FAB Group’s requirements, policies, and standards.
• Periodically report to the FAB Group Legal on legal risks and material matters associated with FAB operations in India and elsewhere in Asia. 

• Bachelor’s degree in law from an internationally recognised university
• Qualified as a lawyer in India (another additional commonwealth or European jurisdiction is an advantage)
• Familiar with the banking and financial regulatory framework in Singapore, Hong Kong and/or PRC.
• Excellent English language skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• At least 8 years PQE in a reputed international bank or law firm, with at least 3 years in a similar role.
• At least 3 years of Asia legal experience outside of India