| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Legal and Compliance |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | Head of Legal |
| Direct reports | Litigation Executive |
| Experience | 8 to 12 years in litigation or dispute management |
Litigation Manager job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Litigation Manager
Department: Legal and Compliance
Reports to: Head of Legal
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Litigation Manager runs the company litigation portfolio, from strategy on each case to coordinating external counsel and tracking every hearing. The role reports to the Head of Legal or General Counsel. A good litigation manager keeps cases moving toward good outcomes, chooses and manages advocates well, controls litigation cost, keeps accurate provisioning and case data, never misses a filing or hearing date, and turns a scattered set of court matters into a managed portfolio the leadership can see and understand.
Key responsibilities
- Manage the company litigation portfolio across civil, criminal, labour and commercial matters.
- Set the strategy for each case with external counsel and decide on settlement or contest.
- Instruct, brief and manage advocates and law firms handling the cases.
- Track every hearing, filing and deadline so none is missed.
- Control litigation cost and review legal bills against the work done.
- Keep accurate case data and advise finance on provisioning for disputes.
- Prepare and review pleadings, affidavits and case documents with counsel.
- Report the litigation portfolio, risks and outcomes to the head of legal.
- Handle notices and pre litigation matters to avoid unnecessary cases.
- Coordinate witnesses, records and evidence from the business for cases.
Requirements
- LLB, with litigation experience
- Enrolled with the Bar Council of India
- Knowledge of court procedure and limitation
- 8 to 12 years in litigation or dispute management
KRAs and KPIs for a Litigation Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Case outcomes | Litigation outcomes within the agreed expectation for the portfolio |
| Hearing tracking | Hearings and filings met with no missed dates |
| Litigation cost | External litigation cost held within the approved budget |
| Provisioning accuracy | Case provisioning advice accurate against actual outcomes |
| Turnaround | Notices and pleadings prepared within the required time |
| Portfolio visibility | Litigation portfolio reported accurately and on schedule |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Case management software, Court and cause list portals, Legal research databases, MS Office, Document management systems.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Legal, General Counsel, Legal Manager
Interview questions for a Litigation Manager
- How do you decide whether to settle or contest a case?
- How do you make sure no hearing or filing date is ever missed?
- How do you choose and manage the right advocate for a matter?
- How do you control external litigation cost across a portfolio?
- How do you advise finance on provisioning for a disputed claim?
- How do you keep the leadership informed on litigation risk?
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What does a Litigation Manager do?
A Litigation Manager runs the company litigation portfolio. They set strategy on each case, instruct and manage advocates, track every hearing and filing, and control litigation cost. They keep accurate case data, advise finance on provisioning, and turn scattered court matters into a managed portfolio the leadership can understand.
What is the difference between a Litigation Manager and a Litigation Executive?
A Litigation Executive handles the ground work: filings, court paperwork, coordinating with advocates and tracking dates. A Litigation Manager sets case strategy, decides settle or contest, manages the portfolio and cost, and reports to leadership. The executive keeps cases running; the manager makes the strategic calls.
What qualifications does a Litigation Manager need?
Most roles ask for an LLB and enrolment with the Bar Council of India, with strong litigation experience and knowledge of court procedure and limitation. Employers value case strategy, advocate management and cost control, plus the discipline to make sure no hearing, filing or limitation date is ever missed.