Description
This is an opportunity to join our Legal Services team in a senior role where you will have significant responsibility for managing a varied caseload and providing specialist legal advice across a range of matters. You will work on complex clinical negligence and liability claims, inquests and other legal and regulatory proceedings, often involving multiple and competing legal, clinical and reputational considerations.
You will work with senior clinicians and managers, external solicitors and counsel, NHS Resolution and HM Coroner, providing trusted legal advice and ensuring the Trust's interests are appropriately represented.
This role offers the opportunity to develop your legal career within a specialist NHS environment, gaining substantial experience of complex litigation, coronial processes and legal risk within one of the UK's leading mental health providers.
Main duties of the job
- Managing a varied caseload of clinical negligence, employer's and public liability claims and other legal matters.
- Leading the Trust's response to complex, sensitive and high-profile inquests.
- Preparing and reviewing legal and witness documentation and supporting witnesses through the coronial process.
- Attending pre-inquest reviews and inquest hearings, representing the Trust where required.
- Advising senior staff on liability, causation, quantum, disclosure, legal process and risk.
- Working closely with external solicitors, counsel, NHS Resolution and HM Coroner.
- Managing matters where multiple legal and regulatory processes intersect.
- Identifying legal and reputational risk and advising on appropriate mitigation.
- Contributing to legal learning, governance and risk management across the Trust.
- Supporting colleagues with complex Court of Protection, Mental Health Act, safeguarding, data protection, Family and Criminal Court matters.
- Providing supervision and guidance to colleagues and deputising for the Legal Services Manager when required.
Benefits
- Competitive salary: £55,524 to £62,652 a year
- Permanent, full-time contract
- Opportunities for professional development and learning
Person Specification
- Qualifications: Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant field. Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Experience: Significant experience working in claims, inquests, legal services, governance, risk management, patient safety, complaints or a related NHS setting. Experience of working with clinicians, senior managers, legal advisers and external agencies.
- Knowledge: Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance, including clinical negligence processes, coronial processes, data protection and disclosure requirements. Understanding of NHS Resolution processes and requirements.