# Deputy Head of Legal Services

> NHS job listing from Job Clerk for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

## Canonical URLs

- **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/deputy-head-of-legal-services/c2f70d85-d5fc-4679-b623-44a9dc7a187e
- **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/deputy-head-of-legal-services/c2f70d85-d5fc-4679-b623-44a9dc7a187e.md

## Summary

- **Status:** Live
- **Employer:** University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
- **Location:** Westmorland General Hospital
- **Workplace type:** onsite
- **Profession:** Legal professional
- **Grade:** Band 7
- **Salary:** £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata
- **Contract type:** Permanent
- **Employment type:** Part time - 30 hours per week (4 days)
- **Closing date:** 2026-10-22T22:59:00.000Z
- **Posted:** 2026-10-08T10:07:05.926Z
- **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Cumbria/Kendal/University_Hospitals_Morecambe_Bay_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Legal/Legal-v8250029
- **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8250029?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002
- **Employer website:** https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk

## Job Content

### 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.

## Person Specification

### Other

**Essential**

- Ability to travel

### Knowledge

**Essential**

- Healthcare law, including inquests and claims management
- Computer literate - Microsoft Office
- Communication skills
- Ability to analyse, evaluate and summarise complex data
- Ability to work with people in stressful and distressing situations,
- Good time management skills

**Desirable**

- Knowledge of NHSR guidance on clinical negligence claims
- Ulysses
- Lorenzo

### Experience

**Essential**

- Inquest management and representation
- Claims handling experience
- Management experience

**Desirable**

- NHS legal experience
- Teaching/training experience

### Qualifications

**Essential**

- Law degree or equivalent
- Legal Practice Certificate

**Desirable**

- Claims handling qualification
- Management qualification
- Practicing certificate

### Personal attributes

**Essential**

- Attention to detail
- Calm
- Organised
- Tenacious
- Tactful
- Supportive

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## Agent Notes

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