Job summary
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic legal professional to join our growing Legal Services Team as a Legal Advisor.
You will manage a varied caseload including inquests, clinical negligence, public and employer liability claims, police and family court statement requests, and general advice files.
You will also coordinate the Trust's involvement in inquests - arranging pre-inquest meetings, liaising with coroners' courts, and attending hearings to provide support to witnesses or act as an advocate where appropriate.
We are looking for someone with good knowledge of coronial and litigation processes, along with strong communication, analytical and time management skills. You will be confident managing competing priorities, staying calm under pressure, and handling sensitive issues with care and professionalism.
The work is varied and interesting which will allow you to apply, develop and expand your legal knowledge.
This is a rewarding role where you will help support clinical staff through legal processes and improve patient safety and care by identifying themes and sharing learning from claims and inquests.
Some travel will be required, but we support flexible and remote working so you will need to be able to work independently and efficiently from home.
If you're a motivated and organised legal professional looking for a varied and meaningful role, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
The Legal Advisor will manage a diverse caseload including statement requests, clinical negligence, employer and public liability claims, inquests, and general legal advice matters. You will take responsibility for cases from initial investigation to conclusion, carrying out preliminary reviews, gathering and analysing evidence, identifying relevant witnesses, preparing reports, and advising on case strategy and next steps.
The post holder will coordinate the Trust's involvement in inquests, review and disclose evidence, prepare summaries of medical records, and provide support to staff and witnesses, including attendance at hearings and pre-inquest meetings. You will also support the provision of legal advice across the Trust, reviewing matters, determining when external support is required, and overseeing outsourced work to completion.
You will ensure all cases and records are managed in line with Trust policies, maintain accurate databases, and contribute to legal reporting, training, and policy development. The role involves liaising with NHS Resolution, solicitors, managers, and other stakeholders, often using tact and sensitivity to resolve complex or emotive issues. Strong analytical, communication, and time management skills are essential, together with professionalism and resilience when dealing with sensitive, high-profile, or emotionally challenging situations. Travel to Trust sites and courts may occasionally be required.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The ability to utilise various Trust systems to view patient records.
The ability to use Trust systems to search for incidents, complaints and retrieve data for the purposes of claims or inquests.
To develop, manage and maintain data on the files database ensuring this is always kept up to date reflecting the position of the claim.
Decisions and judgements
To review statements and use judgment to decide whether the content of them is appropriate or requires amendment.
To identify claims where there is a litigation risk and report them to NHSR appropriately, to work with colleagues to identify inquests where there is a reputational risk to the trust and act accordingly.
To identify inquests where there is a potential risk of a prevention of futures death report.
The post holder will be required to work on their own initiative with minimal supervision and able to prioritise and manage the multiple competing deadlines and demands of their workload.
Authorised signatory for staff expenses.
Communication and relationships
Responsible for building personal relationships with others in the legal services department and for developing and maintaining effective and appropriate working relationships with staff across the Trust who engage with the legal services department and external stakeholders in a variety of formats including oral communication and written.
Communicate sensitive, contentious and complex information with claimants, their solicitors, Trust solicitors, CQC, HSE and other regulatory bodies.
Personally responsible for ensuring their own communication is appropriate and effective.
Contributing to audits within the team identifying and highlighting deficiencies in care and trends that need addressing in the portfolio of cases.
Contributing to the development and implementation of Legal Policies and Guidelines with Trust-wide application.
Maintaining a personal communication style that is both professional and empathetic even in the most emotionally charged, hostile and/or antagonistic environments.
The work can involve dealing with some complex, sensitive and contentious information, for example, the death of a loved one or dealing with claims resulting from incidents where harm has come to a loved one.
The post holder will be expected to interact with deceased families with care and compassion.
The post holder will also have to liaise with and manage expectation of litigants in person.
The post holder will be required to communicate regularly with witnesses, put them at ease and enable them to provide confident, concise and accurate statements.
The post holder will also be required to liaise with external claimant solicitors as well as the Trusts own external solicitors and our insurer for claims.
Physical demands of the job
Physical skills will include sitting and or standing for prolonged periods of time as well as walking for moderate distances. The use of a VDU, and transporting large heavy files.
Post holder must be able to meet the travel requirements of the role e.g. attending the different Trust sites and Courts nationwide.
Most challenging/difficult parts of the job
There will be a frequent requirement to use high levels of concentration when analysing complex information and writing reports whilst managing interruptions from staff requiring advice and support on legal queries.
There will be daily exposure to extremely distressing or emotional content circumstances due to the nature of the inquest work which involves deaths that have occurred that are wither violent, unnatural or unknown. This can involve suicides, murders and traumatic deaths.
There will be exposure to claimants who may feel aggrieved and it will be necessary to manage their expectations in relation to their legal claim.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn
Job description
Job responsibilities
The ability to utilise various Trust systems to view patient records.
The ability to use Trust systems to search for incidents, complaints and retrieve data for the purposes of claims or inquests.
To develop, manage and maintain data on the files database ensuring this is always kept up to date reflecting the position of the claim.
Decisions and judgements
To review statements and use judgment to decide whether the content of them is appropriate or requires amendment.
To identify claims where there is a litigation risk and report them to NHSR appropriately, to work with colleagues to identify inquests where there is a reputational risk to the trust and act accordingly.
To identify inquests where there is a potential risk of a prevention of futures death report.
The post holder will be required to work on their own initiative with minimal supervision and able to prioritise and manage the multiple competing deadlines and demands of their workload.
Authorised signatory for staff expenses.
Communication and relationships
Responsible for building personal relationships with others in the legal services department and for developing and maintaining effective and appropriate working relationships with staff across the Trust who engage with the legal services department and external stakeholders in a variety of formats including oral communication and written.
Communicate sensitive, contentious and complex information with claimants, their solicitors, Trust solicitors, CQC, HSE and other regulatory bodies.
Personally responsible for ensuring their own communication is appropriate and effective.
Contributing to audits within the team identifying and highlighting deficiencies in care and trends that need addressing in the portfolio of cases.
Contributing to the development and implementation of Legal Policies and Guidelines with Trust-wide application.
Maintaining a personal communication style that is both professional and empathetic even in the most emotionally charged, hostile and/or antagonistic environments.
The work can involve dealing with some complex, sensitive and contentious information, for example, the death of a loved one or dealing with claims resulting from incidents where harm has come to a loved one.
The post holder will be expected to interact with deceased families with care and compassion.
The post holder will also have to liaise with and manage expectation of litigants in person.
The post holder will be required to communicate regularly with witnesses, put them at ease and enable them to provide confident, concise and accurate statements.
The post holder will also be required to liaise with external claimant solicitors as well as the Trusts own external solicitors and our insurer for claims.
Physical demands of the job
Physical skills will include sitting and or standing for prolonged periods of time as well as walking for moderate distances. The use of a VDU, and transporting large heavy files.
Post holder must be able to meet the travel requirements of the role e.g. attending the different Trust sites and Courts nationwide.
Most challenging/difficult parts of the job
There will be a frequent requirement to use high levels of concentration when analysing complex information and writing reports whilst managing interruptions from staff requiring advice and support on legal queries.
There will be daily exposure to extremely distressing or emotional content circumstances due to the nature of the inquest work which involves deaths that have occurred that are wither violent, unnatural or unknown. This can involve suicides, murders and traumatic deaths.
There will be exposure to claimants who may feel aggrieved and it will be necessary to manage their expectations in relation to their legal claim.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to law degree level and/or CILEX member or have gained equivalent knowledge and experience through any combination of study, employment or voluntary work to degree level
- Completed Legal practicing certification, SQE, Cilex or equivalent post graduate qualification.
- Knowledge of legal systems, coroners rules and regulations and the civil procedure rules and pre-action protocols
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS structure, services and policies.
- Qualified solicitor or Barrister
Experience
Essential
- Previous Coronial/Inquest management experience.
- Previous experience of running legal claims
- Previous NHS experience and/or legal healthcare experience.
Desirable
- Experience dealing with clinical negligence matters. Experience dealing with employers' liability and or public liability claims.
- Experienced advocate in civil or coronial setting.
- Development of policies, standards, processes, procedures and protocols and implementing same.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing workload/priorities and to tight deadlines.
- Good analytical skills
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision
- Ability to travel between Trust locations and to external venues, for example Court.
- Proactive, enthusiastic, well-motivated, well organised and efficient.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to law degree level and/or CILEX member or have gained equivalent knowledge and experience through any combination of study, employment or voluntary work to degree level
- Completed Legal practicing certification, SQE, Cilex or equivalent post graduate qualification.
- Knowledge of legal systems, coroners rules and regulations and the civil procedure rules and pre-action protocols
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS structure, services and policies.
- Qualified solicitor or Barrister
Experience
Essential
- Previous Coronial/Inquest management experience.
- Previous experience of running legal claims
- Previous NHS experience and/or legal healthcare experience.
Desirable
- Experience dealing with clinical negligence matters. Experience dealing with employers' liability and or public liability claims.
- Experienced advocate in civil or coronial setting.
- Development of policies, standards, processes, procedures and protocols and implementing same.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing workload/priorities and to tight deadlines.
- Good analytical skills
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision
- Ability to travel between Trust locations and to external venues, for example Court.
- Proactive, enthusiastic, well-motivated, well organised and efficient.
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.
