Assistant Legal Counsel – Debt Recovery, ANSA Bank Limited

The Assistant Legal Counsel – Debt Recovery at ABL provides legal support to the Credit & Collections Dept., offering customer-focused services in debt collection, compliance, and litigation, while delivering legal advice on recovery matters under guidance from ANSA Merchant Bank Legal.

Assistant Legal Counsel – Debt Recovery, ANSA Bank Limited

Functional Assignment:

The Assistant Legal Counsel will be required:

• To carry out other professional legal, compliance and litigation work as may be allocated from time to time under the direction of the Legal Counsel – Debt Recovery, ANSA Merchant Bank Limited and/or the Head of Legal of ANSA Merchant Bank Limited.
• To provide high quality efficient, customer-oriented legal services to the Credit and Collections Department ANSA Bank Limited which includes the efficient debt collection services on behalf of the Bank.
• To provide legal advice to ANSA Bank Limited in connection with all aspects of the companies’ debt recovery and litigation matters.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts personal and commercial debt recovery and litigation on behalf of ANSA Bank Limited, including issuing court proceedings, undertaking enforcement of judgments, and assisting the Credit and Collections Department in the preparation of policies and procedures for debt recovery.
• Advises the Credit and Collections Department on general legal matters, with particular reference to personal and commercial debt collection and civil litigation.
• Assists in the identification of legal issues of concern, often in situations of high risk, and develops legal strategies and solutions.
• Supports the Credit and Collections Department through training and the provision of appropriate legal information.
• Prepares instructions for submission to external legal counsel and acts as instructing legal counsel on certain legal issues/matters, overseeing the conduct of the legal matters assigned.
• Provides professional legal services to ANSA Bank Limited by analysing and advising regarding legal, regulatory, and reputational issues affecting the businesses’ products and services.
• Assists in the formulation of policy in response to new guidelines and regulations that impact ANSA Bank Limited and advises how to proactively manage any issues that may arise.
• Performs other duties related to the job function as may be required.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor of Laws Degree from a recognised institution.
• Admission to practice as an Attorney-at-Law in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Legal Education Certificate or equivalent certificate from a recognised institution.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience as an advocate in civil court and knowledge of court procedure and practices and rules of evidence is essential.
• An understanding of banking and finance law.
• Admission to practice as an Attorney-at-Law in Barbados would be an asset.

Business / Technical Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago’s e-Filing Portal, and e-Services.

Core Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking – The ability to comprehend a situation by breaking it down into its components and identifying key or underlying complex issues.
• Collaboration/Teamwork – Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.
• Communication: Open – Creates an atmosphere in which timely and high-quality information flows smoothly up and down, inside and outside; encourages open expression of ideas and opinions.
• Communication: Oral and Written – Effectively transfers thoughts and expresses ideas orally or in writing in individual or group situations.
• Continuous Learning – Demonstrates eagerness to acquire necessary technical knowledge, skills, and judgment to accomplish a result or to serve a customer’s needs effectively.
• Discernment/Judgment – Makes decisions authoritatively and wisely, after adequately contemplating various available courses of action.
• Negotiation – Explores positions and alternatives to reach outcomes that gain acceptance of all parties.
• Technical Expertise – Applies and improves extensive or in-depth specialized knowledge, skills, and judgment to accomplish a result or to perform the job effectively.