Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services

Overview

In this role you lead and shape the clinical legal services at UHD, overseeing inquests, non-clinical and clinical negligence claims, and healthcare law advice. You will manage the inquest function, support clinical teams, and collaborate with NHS Resolution, coroners, and Trust leadership to mitigate legal and reputational risk. The post sits within a transforming NHS environment and offers involvement in service development and staff training. You will work across sites to protect patient safety and drive learning from cases.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management of the inquest service, ensuring timely investigations and deadlines
• Manage a caseload of inquests, non-clinical claims, and some clinical negligence claims
• Represent the Trust as an Interested Person at Coroner’s Inquests and make Coronial law submissions
• Provide specialist healthcare law advice on consent, capacity and best interests
• Liaise with NHS Resolution, external solicitors, Coroners and stakeholders to progress cases
• Support staff in preparing witness statements and court appearances
• Identify patient safety concerns and governance issues from claims/inquests
• Contribute to policy development, training, and learning from cases
• Deputise for the Head of Clinical Legal Services and mentor the team
• Produce reports on trends and learning for governance committees

Key requirements

• Degree or equivalent
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (or equivalent)
• Masters level qualification or equivalent
• Substantial experience handling claims, inquests and healthcare law in an NHS setting
• Experience appearing in court and representing clients in contentious matters
• Experience handling sensitive conversations with distressed individuals
• Experience with Mental Capacity Act, best interests, capacity and consent issues

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to negotiate and influence senior stakeholders
• Autonomy and discretion in legal and Trust frameworks
• Investigation of complex cases
• Data analysis to produce key messages, reports and recommendations
• Ability to operate autonomously within regulatory and legal frameworks

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