Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
Salary
Negotiable
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
11 September 2026
11 days left
Job description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced legal professional to join University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as our Deputy Head o...
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.
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.
UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.
This service recently moved into new offices at Tringham House based on the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site, but also has a small office at Poole Hospital. A staff shuttle service operates between the two sites.
If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.
AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.
Qualifications
Essential
- Solicitor/Barrister/CiLEX with 3 years relevant experience
- Law degree
- Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Desirable
- Capsticks Diploma in Clinical Risk and Claims Management
Experience
Essential
- At least 3 years' experience of dealing with claims, inquests and healthcare law advice in an NHS setting
- Experience of appearing in court and representing clients in contentious matters
- Experience in managing challenging conversations with articulate, distressed and/or emotional individuals in highly sensitive situations in formal settings
- Experience of Mental Capacity Act, best interest, capacity and consent issues.
Desirable
- Some exposure to Court of Protection matters
Technical Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to negotiate and communicate contentious issues and information influencing change to senior individuals within and outside the organisation
- Able to work autonomously and with discretion within legal and Trust frameworks
- Ability to investigate complex cases
- Analyse data to produce key messages, reports, and recommendations
Knowledge
Essential
- Expert knowledge of Inquest procedures and requirements of Coroners Court
- Expert knowledge of the Pre-action Protocol for Personal Injury
- Knowledge of the Court of Protection process
- Ability to make decisions autonomously, on difficult issues, acting as a senior reference point of expertise and knowledge for members of the legal services team
- Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Able to work in stressful and complex situations with professionalism and calmness
- Ability to deal objectively with difficult unpredictable situations
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Self-motivated and able to work independently and with minimal management and excellent time keeping
- Resilient
- Excellent time management skills
- Able to manage conflict and resolve problems.
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
12 August 2026
Last checked
14 August 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
Explore related