Job requirements
Essential
18 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Other
Ability to travel
- Knowledge
Healthcare law, including inquests and claims management
- Knowledge
Computer literate - Microsoft Office
- Knowledge
Communication skills
- Knowledge
Ability to analyse, evaluate and summarise complex data
- Knowledge
Ability to work with people in stressful and distressing situations,
- Knowledge
Good time management skills
- Experience
Inquest management and representation
- Experience
Claims handling experience
- Experience
Management experience
- Qualifications
Law degree or equivalent
- Qualifications
Legal Practice Certificate
- Personal attributes
Attention to detail
- Personal attributes
Calm
- Personal attributes
Organised
- Personal attributes
Tenacious
- Personal attributes
Tactful
- Personal attributes
Supportive
Desirable
8 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Knowledge
Knowledge of NHSR guidance on clinical negligence claims
- Knowledge
Ulysses
- Knowledge
Lorenzo
- Experience
NHS legal experience
- Experience
Teaching/training experience
- Qualifications
Claims handling qualification
- Qualifications
Management qualification
- Qualifications
Practicing certificate
Job overview
We are looking for a legal professional with management experience to support and deputise for the Head of Legal Services. This is a rare opportunity, with potential to develop. The postholder will, along with the rest of the Legal Services team, contribute to the provision of a comprehensive inquest and claims management service and an effective legal advice service to staff.
This post is pending job evaluation confirmation
Main duties of the job
This is a management role, and the post-holder will supervise other team members and deputise for the Head of Legal Services. They will also have their own caseload of inquests and clinical claims and contribute to a legal advice service to members of staff, on a variety of topics. Applicants will require legal qualifications and relevant knowledge and experience.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Job Description attached but main duties are:
- Provide support to the Head of Legal Services and assist with the management of the legal team.
- Manage and co-ordinate a caseload of clinical negligence claims.
- Provide appropriate support to colleagues who are witnesses or persons able to assist with potential or actual litigation.
- Manage and co-ordinate a caseload of inquests.
- Review reports/statements for accuracy, professionalism and provide guidance to ensure reports are fit for purpose.
- Recognise and ensure the smooth organisation of complex and contentious inquests, involving all relevant Trust departments.
- Monitor Coroners’ cases and claims, to recognise risks identified from their investigation and, ensure remedial actions are properly implemented.
- Attend mediation, RTM’s and conferences with counsel for own caseload, and in the absence of the Head of Legal Services.
- Arrange and conduct pre-inquest meetings, ensuring that witnesses are supported and prepared for giving evidence.
- Attend Court and represent the Trust at pre-inquest reviews and hearings, taking detailed notes of evidence and supporting the witnesses.
- Act as an expert resource for legal team members and wider staff in relation to inquest and claim investigations and legal advice. Provide support and supervision to legal team colleagues.
- Provide support to the Head of Legal Services and assist with the management of the team.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Deputy Head of Legal Services with University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust in Kendal, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Legal professional role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 22 Oct 2026.
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