Job summary
- Main area
- Legal Services
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 15 hours per week (22.5 hours may also be an option)
- Job ref
- 210-2026-85
- Employer
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £31,049 - £37,796 pa pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 23/02/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 10/03/2026
Employer heading
Legal Assistant for Inquests
Band 5
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Part time: 15 or 22.5 hours per week
Assistant for Inquests to work 2 or 3 days per week as part of a proposed job-share arrangement.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Legal Services Team at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The Legal Services team falls within Corporate Services and works closely with colleagues across the Trust to resolve legal issues and to contribute to the governance structure.
The role will be worked on a job share basis and will involve obtaining reports and statements for coroner's inquest investigations, providing information and support for witnesses in the lead up to and at the inquest hearing.
Subject to agreement, the successful candidate will job-share the full role, with shared responsibility for service delivery and clear handover arrangements.
We are committed to flexible working and will review the job-share arrangement to ensure it meets both service needs and the needs of post-holders.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job
Primary responsibility requires the post-holder to:
· Coordinate and manage inquest processes from notification through to conclusion
· Act as a key point of contact for witnesses, providing practical and procedural support before and during inquest hearings
· Prepare witnesses for the inquest process, including explaining procedures, timetables, and what to expect on the day
· Attend and support inquest hearings as required
· Liaise with coroners’ courts, legal representatives, clinicians, and internal teams
· Prepare and manage documentation, case files, and hearing logistics
· Work closely with the job-share partner to ensure continuity, consistency, and effective handovers
Working for our organisation
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualificiation
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience.
- Legal qualification (fully or partially completed) or Minimum of 12 months’ experience working in a legal, inquest, regulatory or governance setting.
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience supporting legal, inquest, coronial, or regulatory processes, including managing complex case files, deadlines, and sensitive information.
- Proven ability to work accurately with confidential records and legal documentation, with a clear understanding of data protection, information governance, and professional confidentiality requirements.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of computerised medical records systems.
- Previous NHS Experience
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sarah Harper-Lea
- Job title
- Head of Legal Services
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244366463
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