Legal Services Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

To fulfil the duties and responsibilities as described below.

1 To manage the Legal Services Team.

2 Entirely without supervision to manage all Clinical Negligence claims against the Trust in-house without recourse to solicitors. The Legal Services Manager can approve settlements to an unlimited amount.

3 To manage the investigation of Employer Liability and Public Liability claims to ensure that NHS Resolution have accurate and timely information to enable cases to be successfully defended or settled expeditiously. The Legal Services Manager can approve settlements to an unlimited amount.

4 Within limited resources to manage the heavy workload of claims made against the Trust as effectively, efficiently and economically as possible according to the Civil Procedure Rules and NHS Resolution Protocols

5 Represent the Trust when cases go to trial and at case conferences prior to trial.

6 To manage complex Coroner enquiries.

7 Represent the Trust when staff are attending Inquests.

8 Take appropriate action on any urgent issues/correspondence which arise to ensure that the Trusts position is protected.

9 To act as the Trusts proper officer for the swearing and signing of formal legal documents e.g. Statements of Truth.

10 Liaise with the Trust Finance Department with regard to the authorisation of payments for Employer and Public Liability claims.

11 To provide / source legal advice in response to CDDFT staff queries.To coordinate any requests for external general legal advice and to then check and approve for payment any legal bills for work received as a result.

12 To refer any relevant issues and any concerns, or trends highlighted by Clinical Negligence, Employer and Public Liability claims, to the relevant manager of that area for action.

13 Ensure Court of Protection cases are managed quickly and effectively by Trust solicitors are the staff involved.

14 To support staff involved in claims and Inquests.

15 To ensure that the quarterly Litigation Report, Annual report and other ad hoc reports for the Department are prepared when required. The information contained therein assists with the Trust governance agenda and learning lessons.

16. To provide / source advice on Trust policies and Guidelines when asked.

17 To provide/ source ad- hoc advice when requested. The Legal Services Team try and respond to these in house whenever possible to save money.

18 To ensure that Freedom of Information requests for the Department are responded to in a timely fashion.

19 To ensure that the Department Standard Operating Procedures are regularly updated.

20 To ensure that the Legal Services Intranet site is regularly updated

21 To act as a departmental Senior Information Asset Owner (SIAO), Information Asset Owner (IAO) or Information Asset Assistant (IAA) as appropriate in order to ensure that information assets are managed in accordance with data protection principles and the Trusts information lifecycle policy.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of managing a large workload at a senior level without supervision.
• Proven experience of working to tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at all levels face to face, in writing and on the telephone - sensitively and effectively.
• Sensitive and compassionate outlook for dealing with distressed staff involved in litigation
• A sound understanding of confidentiality.
• Must be a good team player.
• Proven experience of problem solving.
• Motivated and enthusiastic.
• Assertive and decisive.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft packages, especially Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Adaptable and flexible to deal with various ad hoc queries.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Degree standard or equivalent experience
• IT qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of the Civil Procedure rules.
• Extensive knowledge of NHS Resolution protocols
• Clear understanding of the General Data Protection Regulations.
• Experience of managing staff

Special Requirements

Essential

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Appleton House

Lanchester Road

Durham

County Durham

DH1 5XZ

Employer's website

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