Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Deputy Legal Services Manager

The closing date is 25 August 2025

Job summary

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join a small, friendly and supportive Legal Team for a fixed term of 12 months primarily to assist in the handling of the Inquest portfolio.

The successful candidate will need to be legally qualified to enable them to manage of a mixed case load of contentious inquests, clinical negligence and personal injury claims. There will be a high level of advocacy representing the interests of the Trust at Coroners Courts across the Trust's geographical location as well as assisting in the investigation and management of claims.

The successful candidate will ensure that that inquests and contentious inquests,(and to a lesser extent, employer's liability, public liability and clinical negligence claims) are effectively managed in accordance with the Trust's Claims Policy, NHSR Scheme Rules, Civil Procedure Rules, Pre-action Protocols and Coroners Rules to minimise financial, reputation and other risks to the Trust.

Main duties of the job

Provide advocacy, as required, on behalf of the Trust at inquests relating to the organisation.

Provide specialist advice and guidance on all aspects of the inquest process, claims and healthcare law. This will be based on knowledge and experience, legislation, national, international and local guidelines and best practice.

To work with NHS Resolution and Trust solicitors in the instruction of barristers and independent experts on contentious inquests where inquest funding has been granted.

To provide assistance on the claims portfolio, working with NHS Resolution and Trust Solicitors on new and on-going claims.

To assist with the preparing and delivery of training to staff and managers on processes associated with inquests and claims.

Liaise with the Trust management, clinical leads, Learning and Development teams, and national groups to ensure learning points from claims and inquests are developed into Trust practice and, where relevant, national practice.

Attend relevant and appropriate internal and external meetings to provide learning points from inquests and claims and develop Trust practices.

To assist with the development and preparation of qualitative and statistical reports of a very high standard on claims and inquests, including external organisations, the Board of Directors, Quality Committee, Executive Directors Group and other groups, as required.

About us

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with

visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is a research active organisation.

It's established South West Clinical School in Cornwall exists to promote clinical academic career opportunities for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals interested in research and evidence-based activities. Read their research paper to find out more.

Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/clinical-schools/royal-cornwall-hospitals-nhs-trust-clinical-school

https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871231209037

Details

Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

156-7326585

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

  • Identity Checks
  • Professional registration and qualification checks
  • Employment history and reference checks
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

  • Identity Checks
  • Professional registration and qualification checks
  • Employment history and reference checks
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent specialist knowledge through experience

Desirable

  • Legal Degree

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive entitled to practice in England and Wales

Desirable

  • Health law Qualification
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent specialist knowledge through experience

Desirable

  • Legal Degree

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive entitled to practice in England and Wales

Desirable

  • Health law Qualification

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Legal Services Manager

Carrie Dees

carrie.dees2@nhs.net

01872252947

Details

Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

156-7326585

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)