Job summary
- Main area
- Deputy Legal Services Manager
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed Term)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 156-7326585-A
- Employer
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- Town
- Truro
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 19/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Deputy Legal Services Manager
Band 7
Job overview
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join a small, friendly and supportive Legal Team for a fixed term of 12 months primarily to assist in the handling of the Inquest portfolio.
The successful candidate will need to be legally qualified to enable them to manage of a mixed case load of contentious inquests, clinical negligence and personal injury claims. There will be a high level of advocacy representing the interests of the Trust at Coroners Courts across the Trust's geographical location as well as assisting in the investigation and management of claims.
The successful candidate will ensure that that inquests and contentious inquests, (and to a lesser extent, employer's liability, public liability and clinical negligence claims) are effectively managed in accordance with the Trust's Claims Policy, NHSR Scheme Rules, Civil Procedure Rules, Pre-action Protocols and Coroners Rules to minimise financial, reputation and other risks to the Trust.
Main duties of the job
Provide advocacy, as required, on behalf of the Trust at inquests relating to the organisation.
Provide specialist advice and guidance on all aspects of the inquest process, claims and healthcare law. This will be based on knowledge and experience, legislation, national, international and local guidelines and best practice.
To work with NHS Resolution and Trust solicitors in the instruction of barristers and independent experts on contentious inquests where inquest funding has been granted.
To provide assistance on the claims portfolio, working with NHS Resolution and Trust Solicitors on new and on-going claims.
To assist with the preparing and delivery of training to staff and managers on processes associated with inquests and claims.
Liaise with the Trust management, clinical leads, Learning and Development teams, and national groups to ensure learning points from claims and inquests are developed into Trust practice and, where relevant, national practice.
Attend relevant and appropriate internal and external meetings to provide learning points from inquests and claims and develop Trust practices.
To assist with the development and preparation of qualitative and statistical reports of a very high standard on claims and inquests, including external organisations, the Board of Directors, Quality Committee, Executive Directors Group and other groups, as required.
Working for our organisation
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with
visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.
We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.
The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.
Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is a research active organisation.
It’s established South West Clinical School in Cornwall exists to promote clinical academic career opportunities for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals interested in research and evidence-based activities. Read their research paper to find out more.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.
To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:
Identity Checks
Professional registration and qualification checks
Employment history and reference checks
Occupational Health clearance
Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
Right to work in the UK
For further information please visit:
https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation
We reserve the right to close this advert early.
We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience in a similar or relevant role and/or post qualification experience working as a Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive
- Significant advocacy Experience
- Significant experience of Inquest Management
- Understanding the principles of investigation techniques
- Experience of clinical negligence litigation and employer/public liability litigation
- Influencing and negotiating skills
- Working knowledge of Duty of Candour
- Significant experience of writing high quality, complex correspondence
- Evidence of experience and understanding in managing areas covered by role brief
- Able to work effectively as part of a Team as well as independently and autonomously
Desirable criteria
- NHS or local governance experience
- Acute hospital experience
- Clinical knowledge
- Understanding of clinical negligence arrangements for the NHS.
Practical and Intellectual Skills (including any special knowledge)
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable specialist knowledge of the legislative framework underpinning the inquest and claims process
- Excellent written skills
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
- Excellent organisational and presentation skills
- Good negotiation skills
- Excellent computing skills.
- Effective research and investigative skills
- Good analytical and problem solving abilities.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and in confrontational and hostile situations
- Ability to deal with daily exposure to distressing and/or emotional inquests and claims
- Ability to concentrate for extended periods
- Ability to analyse highly complex situations and information and generate solutions
- Ability to be tactful, empathetic and sensitive in handling patients/families, their representatives and all staff groups
- Demonstrable knowledge of the national approach to investigating patient safety incidents
- Ability to communication effectively with all levels of the organisation, volunteers and external stakeholders
- Political acumen.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of NHS structure and services
- Knowledge of local and national policy
- Advanced computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc)
- Presentation Skills
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent specialist knowledge through experience
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive entitled to practice in England and Wales
- Two years traineeship to Masters Level or equivalent
- Strong evidence of continuing personal and professional development
Desirable criteria
- Legal Degree
- Health law Qualification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive entitled to practice in England and Wales
Desirable criteria
- Health law Qualification
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Carrie Dees
- Job title
- Legal Services Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01872 252947
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