Develop high-level preliminary assessments on litigation and arbitration involving DPRP and, on the strength of these assessments, provide legal advice to management and make recommendations for the assignment of matters to external counsel.

3. Case Planning and Witness Management:

Oversee the development and refinement of case plans for the defence of DPRP, including the identification of potential witnesses, coordination with internal teams, witnesses, and external counsel, development of witness statements, filing of witness depositions in court, and conduct of pre-trial conferences to prepare witnesses for trial testimony.

4. External Counsel Management:

Select, brief, and manage external law firms and Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). Critically review their pleadings, court processes, and fee structures to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with the Refinery's goals.

5. Courtroom and Tribunal Representation:

Act as the primary corporate representative in court. Where permissible and strategic, directly appear and represent the Refinery in specialised tribunals or high-level negotiations.

6. Alternative Dispute Resolution: Lead mediation, negotiation, and arbitration processes to resolve commercial disputes efficiently out of court, preserving key business relationships.

7. Legal Policy Formulation: Lead the formulation and implementation of legal policies and procedures in relation to litigation across the Refinery and its affiliated entities.

8. Risk Mitigation and Reporting: Conduct routine audits of business operations to identify systemic litigation triggers. Maintain a comprehensive litigation dashboard and provide monthly or quarterly risk reports to the Board of Directors and the General Counsel.

9. Stakeholder Engagement and Messaging:

Provide input into the shaping and communication of the Refinery's messaging and positioning statements on key litigation matters, especially where they relate to regulatory enforcement actions or reputational risk. Actively engage with key internal and external stakeholders on all litigation and dispute resolution issues to ensure that the Refinery's interests are protected and enhanced.

10. Cross-Functional Advisory: Partner with HR, Procurement, Operations, HSE, and other business teams to review breach-of-contract incidents, employment disputes, and regulatory non-compliance before they escalate into formal lawsuits.

11. Litigation Database and Records: Oversee the development, maintenance, and integrity of a comprehensive litigation database for the Refinery, including all case documents, correspondence, and status reports.

12. Claims and Demand Letters: Supervise the review of and responses to claims, demand letters, and pre-action protocols.

13. Internal Dispute Resolution: Liaise with relevant departments and divisions to investigate and resolve internal disputes or any breach of internal rules.

14. Debt Recovery and Contractual Litigation: Provide input on litigation by or against contractors or other parties arising out of contracts, agreements, or similar documentation, and provide strategic support towards debt recovery initiatives.

15. Consolidated Reporting: Regularly prepare and submit consolidated reports on the status of all litigation matters relating to the Refinery to the General Counsel and management.

Team Management:

• Supervise, mentor, and build the capacity of the Litigation Specialist(s), Litigation Analyst(s), and other legal officers within the unit.

• Contribute to the training and professional development of the litigation team.

• Ensure compliance with legal, statutory, and professional responsibilities and obligations relating to litigation practice, health and safety, and other applicable standards.

• Assist in achieving a complete litigation management system in accordance with organisational plans and adherence to legislation and agreed procedures.

• Supervise the day-to-day management of the litigation portfolio, including assignment of tasks, review of work product, and quality assurance.

Key Requirements

Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from an accredited university.

• Barrister-at-Law (B.L) from the Nigerian Law School.

• Master of Laws (LL.M) or an MBA is preferred.

Professional Call:

• Must be duly called to the Nigerian Bar

Years of Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years and above post-call experience (PQE) in litigation and dispute resolution.

• A substantial portion of this must be core, hands-on commercial litigation experience, preferably split between a top-tier Nigerian law firm and an in-house corporate role.

• Proven experience managing a litigation portfolio and supervising a team of legal professionals.

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Litigation and Dispute Resolution Lead

Litigation and Dispute Resolution Specialist

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Litigation and Dispute Resolution Lead

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