Legal Officer - Micro LAP Documentation

We are looking for a Legal & Documentation Officer to support the Micro LAP business in legal document verification, property/ document scrutiny, loan documentation and legal due diligence.

The primary responsibility of this role will be to verify and scrutinize legal and property-related documents submitted for Micro LAP proposals, identify legal/documentation gaps and coordinate with internal teams, customers, field teams and external legal counsel to ensure that loans are processed with proper and legally compliant documentation.

The candidate should have a good understanding of property documents, title verification, legal due diligence, loan documentation and basic recovery/legal processes.

Language Requirement Mandatory

• Hindi Read, Write & Speak: Mandatory
• Tamil – Read, Write & Speak: Mandatory
• English – Read, Write & Speak: Mandatory

Key Responsibilities

1. Micro LAP Document Verification – Primary Responsibility

• Conduct detailed verification and scrutiny of legal and property documents submitted for Micro LAP loan proposals.
• Verify the completeness, validity and consistency of property-related documents.
• Review documents such as:
• Sale Deeds
• Mother / Parent Documents
• Title Deeds
• Encumbrance Certificates (EC)
• Patta / Chitta
• Adangal
• Property Tax Receipts
• Possession Certificates
• Building / Land-related approvals
• Legal Heir / Succession documents
• Partition / Settlement / Gift Deeds
• Power of Attorney documents
• Other property and ownership-related records.
• Identify discrepancies, missing documents, ownership issues, title defects and other legal risks.
• Ensure that documents submitted by customers are properly arranged and meet the prescribed legal/documentation checklist.
• Coordinate with external advocates / panel lawyers for title verification and legal opinions wherever required.
• Review legal opinions received from panel advocates and highlight observations or concerns to the reporting manager.
• Ensure timely completion of legal/document verification within defined TAT.

2. Property & Title Due Diligence

• Assist in conducting preliminary legal scrutiny of properties offered as security for Micro LAP loans.
• Verify ownership and title-related documents.
• Check for apparent encumbrances, competing claims, ownership discrepancies and documentation gaps.
• Identify potential legal risks affecting the enforceability or acceptability of the proposed security.
• Coordinate with panel advocates for detailed title search and legal due diligence.
• Follow up on pending legal reports and documentation deficiencies.

3. Loan Documentation

• Prepare, verify and maintain Micro LAP-related legal and loan documentation.
• Review loan agreements, sanction-related documents, security documents and other legal documents.
• Ensure execution of documents as per approved formats and applicable requirements.
• Verify whether required signatures, stamps, witnesses and supporting documents are in place.
• Coordinate with Operations, Credit, Business and Branch teams for completion of documentation before disbursement.
• Ensure proper filing and maintenance of legal documents and records.

4. Legal Query & Business Support

• Provide legal/documentation support to Credit, Business, Operations and Branch teams.
• Respond to queries relating to property documents and loan documentation.
• Highlight legal/documentation risks before loan processing or disbursement.
• Assist in resolving documentation discrepancies and deficiencies.
• Coordinate with customers and field teams for obtaining missing or corrected documents.

5. Legal & Recovery Support

• Assist the Legal team in recovery-related documentation and legal matters.
• Support legal notices, borrower-related legal correspondence and documentation wherever required.
• Assist in matters relating to cheque bounce, arbitration, recovery and borrower disputes.
• Maintain records of legal cases and documentation assigned to the team.
• Coordinate with external advocates and legal vendors when required.

6. Compliance & Process Management

• Ensure compliance with internal legal and documentation policies.
• Follow prescribed Micro LAP legal checklists, SOPs and approval processes.
• Maintain proper records of legal verification and documentation.
• Support internal audits and legal audits.
• Ensure timely escalation of critical legal/documentation issues.
• Suggest improvements to legal documentation and verification processes.

7. Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with:
• Credit Teams
• Business / Sales Teams
• Branch Operations
• Risk & Compliance
• Collections
• Panel Advocates
• External Legal Firms
• Customers / Borrowers
• Ensure timely closure of legal and documentation observations.

Preferred Candidate Profile

• LLB / LLM from a recognized university.
• 0–5 years of experience in Legal, Documentation, Property Verification or Legal Due Diligence.
• Fresh law graduates with strong knowledge of property documentation may be considered.
• Candidates with experience in Micro LAP, LAP, Housing Finance, NBFC, Banking, Mortgage Finance or Financial Services will be preferred.
• Experience in property document verification / title verification / legal scrutiny is highly preferred.
• Good understanding of property and land-related legal documents.
• Strong legal drafting and documentation skills.
• Good analytical and document-review skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify documentation discrepancies.

Mandatory Language Skills:

Hindi – Read, Write & Speak: Mandatory

Tamil – Read, Write & Speak: Mandatory

English – Read, Write & Speak: Mandatory