Deputy Head of Legal Services

Overview

In this role you support the Head of Legal Services to oversee legal affairs across inquests, healthcare law advice, and claims. You lead the inquest function’s day-to-day operations, manage non-clinical and clinical negligence caseloads, and provide expert guidance to clinical teams. You will shape policies, enable data-driven improvements, and deputise for the Head of Legal Services. This hybrid position emphasizes leadership and inquest advocacy within an NHS setting.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid/remote working option
• flexible working
• permanent contract
• Band 8a salary
• HCAs included

Responsibilities

• Lead the inquest service day-to-day operations and ensure compliance with deadlines
• Manage inquests, non-clinical claims, and clinical negligence claims from receipt to resolution
• Represent the Trust as an Interested Person at Coroner’s Inquests and make submissions on Coronial law
• Provide specialist healthcare law advice, including consent, capacity and best interests
• Liaise with external solicitors, NHS Resolution, Coroners and stakeholders to progress cases
• Support staff with witness statements and court appearances
• Identify safety, governance, or reputational risks from claims and inquests
• Assist in developing policies, procedures and training on claims, inquests and healthcare law
• Produce governance reports and present trends to committees
• Deputise for the Head of Legal Services and provide leadership to the team
• Provide line management for the legal services team

Key requirements

• Proven and significant leadership experience or formal management qualification
• Substantial experience with claims, inquests and healthcare law in an NHS setting
• Experience appearing in court and representing clients in contentious matters
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Understanding of NHS Resolution processes
• Expert knowledge of coronial law, inquest procedures and pre-action protocols for personal injury
• Desirable understanding of patient safety and improvement methodologies
• Desirable experience with Mental Capacity Act, best interests, capacity and consent issues

• strong communication
• negotiation and influencing stakeholders
• team leadership
• inquest advocacy
• healthcare law advisory
• coronial law and inquest procedures

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