Deputy Head of Legal Services

• 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 Legal Services, providing leadership, operational management and support to the wider team as required.
• Provide line management support for the legal services team sitting within your responsibility in the departmental structure.

Essential

• Proven and significant leadership experience and/or formal management qualification
• Substantial proven experience of dealing with claims, inquests and healthcare law advice in an NHS setting
• Experience appearing in court and representing clients in contentious matters
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to negotiate and communicate contentious issues and information influencing change to senior individuals within and outside the organisation
• In-depth understanding of NHS Resolution purpose and processes
• Expert knowledge of coronial law, inquest procedures and the pre-action protocols for personal injury

Desirable

• Understanding of the background to and aims of patient safety and improvement methodologies
• Experience of Mental Capacity Act, best interest decision, capacity and consent issues.