Job summary
- Main area
- Legal Services
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 050-AC641-0925
- Employer
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- TBC
- Town
- TBC
- Salary
- £56,514 - £63,623 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Lawyer
Band 8a
If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and ‘Proud to Lead’ competence framework.
Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the “Disability Confident Employer” scheme. We also offer a number of family-friendly benefits, including work-life balance policies.
Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Job overview
Join the growing legal services team in Wales’ largest health board
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is undertaking a bold and innovative transformation of its legal services. As part of this strategic shift, we are strengthening our dedicated, in-house Legal Services Department to deliver high-quality, responsive, and embedded legal support across the organisation.
We are now recruiting a Senior Lawyer to join this newly developed team. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of healthcare law, contributing to a new model of legal service delivery and helping shape the future of legal governance in the Health Board.
Main duties of the job
About the Role
As Senior Lawyer, you will:
- Provide expert legal advice across one or more specialist areas of law (which will include as a minimum healthcare related law), supporting clinical and operational teams.
- Manage complex legal cases including inquests, Court of Protection matters, redress, and other healthcare-related litigation.
- Represent the Health Board in court and tribunal proceedings, including high-profile, multi-day hearings.
- Lead legal research, drafting, and advocacy, including preparing witness statements and legal submissions.
- Supervise and mentor junior legal staff and those working towards professional qualification.
- Contribute to organisational learning and improvement through legal insight, audits, and thematic reviews.
- Support the development of legal policy, procedures, and training across the Health Board.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Working for our organisation
If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and ‘Proud to Lead’ competence framework.
Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the “Disability Confident Employer” scheme.
Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated legal professional who is ready to take on a leadership role in a dynamic and evolving setting.
You will bring:
- A law degree or equivalent (e.g. CILEX CPQ), and a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Admission as a solicitor, barrister, or chartered legal executive with litigation and advocacy rights.
- Significant experience in legal case management, litigation, and advocacy - ideally within healthcare, public law, or related sectors.
- Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex legal matters.
- A commitment to continuous professional development and legal excellence.
Why join Legal Services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board?
This is a unique opportunity to join us at a pivotal moment - you will:
- Be part of a unique legal transformation that is reshaping how legal services are delivered in Wales' biggest health board.
- Work in a supportive, forward-thinking team with opportunities for innovation, development, and influence.
- Make a real impact on patient care, staff wellbeing and professional development, and organisational governance through expert legal support.
This is more than a legal job—it’s a chance to be part of change, build something new, and make a lasting difference.
You will also play a key role in delivering the five strategic objectives of the Legal Services Department:
- Establish an Effective Legal Services Department – Help shape a modern, responsive legal function that is embedded across the Health Board and trusted by its stakeholders.
- Improve Health Board Legal Processes – Lead improvements in how legal matters are managed, ensuring consistency, oversight, and timely escalation of risks.
- Enable Improvements to Legal Outcomes and Learning – Support the identification of learning from legal cases, contributing to safer care and better governance.
- Improve Working Practices in the Legal Services Department – Develop efficient, transparent, and collaborative ways of working across the team.
- Improve Professional Development and Wellbeing – Mentor and support colleagues, contributing to a culture of growth, wellbeing, and professional excellence.
The Legal Services Department is more than a workplace - it is a developing specialised community built on trust, professionalism, and shared purpose. You’ll be joining a department that is visible, embedded, and influential - working alongside clinicians, managers, and leaders as a true partner in improving care for the people of North Wales.
Person specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Law degree or equivalent i.e. CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ)
- Relevant post-graduate qualification or equivalent experience
- Qualified lawyer with litigation and advocacy rights i.e. • Qualified solicitor admitted to the roll of solicitors of England and Wales • Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX) Litigator and Advocate • Qualified barrister admitted to the bar in England and Wales
- Regulation and Practicing Certificate with relevant regulatory body with no restrictions on ability to practice for this role
- Evidence of ongoing, relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Expert legal knowledge relevant to the area of law for this post
- Expert professional legal skills knowledge
Desirable criteria
- Higher rights of audience
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience of providing professional legal services relevant to the area of law for this post
- Significant experience of managing a dedicated caseload of legal matters
- Significant experience of working with and managing highly complex, contentious and sensitive information and situations
Desirable criteria
- Experience of providing legal advice, conducting litigation and advocacy in relation to healthcare matters such as clinical negligence claims, personal injury claims, inquests, Court of Protection cases, etc.
- Experience of providing legal advice, conducting litigation and advocacy in relation to governance (including public law such as Judicial Review), commercial or employment matters
- Experience of providing in-house legal services within healthcare or related sector such as local government, etc.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Welsh language skills are desirable
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Matthew Joyes
- Job title
- Deputy Director for Legal Services
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 03000 840135
- Additional information
Those interested in applying are encouraged to contact Matthew Joyes, Deputy Director for Legal Services, for a confidential and informal discussion on the role before applying.
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