Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced legal professional to join University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as our Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services.

Working within the Clinical Legal Services team, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Head of Clinical Legal Services across the full remit of the department which manages inquests, clinical negligence and non-clinical claims, and healthcare law advice. You will lead the day-to-day operation of the Trust's inquest function, manage non-clinical claims and support in a caseload of clinical negligence claims along with providing specialist legal advice to clinical teams across a wide range of healthcare law matters.

This is a varied and rewarding role requiring excellent legal knowledge, strong analytical skills and the ability to manage sensitive and complex cases. You will work closely with senior clinicians, NHS Resolution, external solicitors, Coroners, patients' families and Trust leadership teams to ensure effective case management, support organisational learning and help minimise legal and reputational risk.

The primary base is the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site with a requirement to work across all Trust sites and off site locations including the Coroner's Courts.

Interview date: 21st September 2026

Main duties of the job

As Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services, you will:

• Lead the day-to-day management of the Trust's inquest service, ensuring compliance with Coroner and Court deadlines.
• Manage a caseload of inquests, non-clinical claims and a number of clinical negligence claims from receipt through to resolution.
• Represent the Trust as an Interested Person at Coroner's Inquests, including making submissions on relevant matters of Coronial law.
• Provide specialist advice on healthcare law issues, including consent, capacity and best interests matters.
• Liaise with external solicitors, NHS Resolution, Coroners, claimants and internal stakeholders to progress cases effectively.
• Support staff in preparing witness statements and provide guidance and support before court appearances and legal proceedings.
• Identify and escalate patient safety concerns, reputational risks and governance issues arising from claims and inquests.
• Assist in the development of policies, procedures and training programmes relating to claims, inquests and healthcare law.
• Produce reports and present trends, outcomes and learning from cases to governance committees and senior Trust groups.
• Deputise for the Head of Clinical Legal Services, providing leadership, operational management and support to the wider team as required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services is a senior specialist role responsible for supporting the delivery of a comprehensive clinical legal service across University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust.

The post holder will oversee the operational management of the Trust's inquest function, ensuring timely investigation, allocation and progression of coronial matters and will manage their own caseload of inquests.

The successful candidate will independently investigate and manage non-clinical claims under the Liability to Third Parties Scheme and Property Expenses Scheme, while also supporting the management of a caseload if clinical negligence claims. Working closely with NHS Resolution and external legal representatives, they will ensure compliance with relevant legislation, court procedures and NHS requirements.

A key aspect of the role involves providing specialist healthcare law advice to clinical teams, supporting decision-making in relation to patient care and treatment.

The role requires the ability to communicate highly sensitive and complex information with confidence and professionalism.

The post holder will work in partnership with clinicians, governance teams and senior leaders, helping to identify patient safety issues, organisational learning opportunities and reputational risks arising from legal casework.

The Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services will contribute to service development by supporting the review and implementation of policies, maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and ensuring Trust procedures reflect current legal guidance and best practice. They will also assist in the supervision and development of Clinical Legal Services staff and contribute to educational programmes across the organisation delivering training sessions for clinical staff.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated legal professional seeking a challenging and influential role within a large NHS organisation currently undertaking a significant transformation programme. You will join a supportive team dedicated to improving patient safety, supporting staff and ensuring the effective management of legal risk across the Trust.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.