Job Title

Job Role: Legal Manager Department: Legal & Collections Location: Bangalore Position reporting to: Head of Legal No. of Direct Reports: 0About the RoleThe Legal Manager will drive end‑to‑end legal support for secured lending and mortgage lending portfolios—covering pre‑sanction title diligence, documentation, security perfection, and post‑sanction recovery via SARFAESI and non‑SARFAESI legal routes. The role requires hands‑on experience in Section 13(2)/13(4) actions, Section 14 applications before DM/CMM, auction processes, as well as civil suits, summary suits, arbitration, NI Act 138, and execution. The role includes litigation management, vendor governance, and compliance with RBI NBFC guidelines and Fair Practices.ResponsibilitiesPre‑Sanction & Documentation Vet loan documentation for secured/mortgage lending (term loans, LAP, SME secured, construction finance where applicable). Conduct/Review title due diligence: title search, encumbrance checks, chain of title, RERA, revenue records, pending litigation search, and property tax diligence. Ensure security perfection: mortgage creation (equitable/registered), stamping & registration, CERSAI registration, ROC charge filing (for corporate borrowers), hypothecation marking where applicable. Draft and vet sanction letters, loan agreements, security documents, deeds of guarantee, POAs, undertakings, escrow and assignment deeds. Frame checklists & SOPs to minimize documentation defects and fraud risk.Post Sanction Recovery – SARFAESI Issue and track Section 13(2) demand notices, handle borrower objections/representations under 13(3A). Execute Section 13(4) measures, including symbolic/physical possession, Rule 8/9 process, valuation, reserve price setting, and e‑auction end‑to‑end. File and pursue Section 14 applications before DM/CMM for assistance in taking possession. Engage advocates, valuers, enforcement agencies, and coordinate panchnama, inventory, and custody. Manage sale certificates, appropriation, and closure documentation; ensure timeline adherence and documentation integrity.Non SARFAESI Legal Recoveries Initiate and monitor civil suits, summary suits (Order 37 CPC), arbitration (where contractually applicable), NI Act Section 138 cheque dishonor cases, execution proceedings, and pre‑litigation mediation. File injunctions, receivership applications, police complaints (where fraud), and coordinate with Lok Adalats and Mediation Centers to drive settlements. Strategize case prioritization based on exposure, asset value, limitation risk, and probability of recovery.Litigation Management & Vendor Governance Incumbent should be able to handle by company (FIR, arbitration, filing anticipatory bail etc.) and against company cases (such as DRT, consumer cases etc.) Maintain a live litigation tracker with TATs/MIS, including exposure, provisioning inputs, next dates, and stage‑wise outcomes. Empanel and manage law firms, counsel, DRA/legal collection agencies, valuers, investigators; enforce rate cards, SLAs, and quality audits. Review pleadings, ensure evidence readiness, witness prep, and affidavits; guide branches and collections on legal strategy.Compliance & Policy Ensure adherence to SARFAESI Act, 2002, Securitisation Rules, CPC, Arbitration & Conciliation Act, NI Act, and relevant State amendments. Align processes with RBI NBFC Master Directions, Fair Practices Code, KYC/AML, outsourcing guidelines, data privacy, and ombudsman/customer grievance redressal norms. Draft/update Legal SOPs, playbooks, templates, and risk controls; train business/collections teams.Business Partnering Advise Sales, Credit, Collections, and Operations on structuring, documentation, recoveries, and regulatory queries. Participate in Credit Committee discussions for high‑value/complex cases. Support portfolio sales/assignments and co‑lending from a documentation and enforcement perspective.QualificationsLLB / LLMRequired Skills5-7 years dealing with Legal cases/Arbitration. Experience of recovery from hard bucket is essential. Exposure to digital lending, DPDP Act compliance, and fintech partnerships. Post‑qualification experience with NBFCs/Banks/ARCs or reputed law firms handling secured lending. Demonstrated, hands‑on SARFAESI execution (13(2), 13(4), Rule 8/9 auctions, Section 14) and non‑SARFAESI recoveries (civil suits, arbitration, NI 138). Strong command over title diligence, mortgage creation, CERSAI, registration, and ROC charge filings (for corporate borrowers). Proven court exposure (DM/CMM, DRT/DRAT desirable), drafting excellence, and vendor management. Familiarity with RERA, local revenue records, urban development norms, and stamp/registration nuances across states.Preferred SkillsLitigation strategy and negotiation for settlements/O.T.S. Ability to triage portfolios, drive time‑bound recoveries, and manage high‑volume caseloads. Strong stakeholder management with field