Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Solicitor/Legal Practitioner

The closing date is 10 December 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Solicitor/Legal Practitioner to work in our in-house legal team to cover a period of maternity leave.

This is a part time, fixed term post working 30 hours per week over 4 days to provide cover for absence for specific purpose that we anticipate will be required for 8 to 12 months. We reserve the right to end this contract sooner with appropriate notice.

The successful candidate will support the other Solicitors and the Head of Legal Services. The role will be providing representation, support and assistance in relation to Inquests, Employment Tribunal claims, other claims against the Trust and general advice on legal matters in the Trust. Advocacy experience is essential, as the role will include representing the Trust at Inquests, and occasionally at the Court of Protection and other Courts and Tribunals.

You will be supported by the Paralegals in the team. You would also be required to draft witness statements and prepare documents for a variety of Court settings including the Coroners Court and Employment Tribunals. You would be part of a small, friendly team working in a Trust, which provides legal services to three separate Trusts across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, to include acute hospital services, community, mental health, and specialist primary care services.

Main duties of the job

Applicants should have a good work ethic and be a qualified Solicitor or CILEX with rights of audience and the authority to carry out regulated activity. Applicants should be able to work to their own initiative with minimal supervision, however induction and training will be provided at the outset of employment.

Flexible working is practiced within the team with a mixture of office days and home working.

Please note the Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to work for this role, to apply you must have current right to work in the UK status.

Please note interviews are scheduled for Thursday 18th December 2025.

About us

At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are working together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites.

We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work-life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.

What we offer;

27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
Flexible and agile working opportunities
Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support
Wide range of supportive staff networks
Health and wellbeing opportunities

If you would like to know more, please visit our website.

We encourage you to read the attached applicant guidance notes.

Sharing your data - As a data controller we may sometimes need to process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you (optional), to support the Trusts understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust.

Date posted

01 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata for part time

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9798-1859

Job locations

2 Kings Court

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1JR

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Person Specification

Additional criteria

Essential

Able to meet the travel requirements of the role
You understand that we will not provide sponsorship to work for this role.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English in both verbal and written formats
Accuracy
Possess an excellent grasp of English and be able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels
Communicate with all disciplines of staff and external stakeholders in a clear and effective manner
Deal with people appropriately depending on the circumstances and individuals concerned

Qualifications

Essential

Capable of admission to the roll of Solicitors, Barristers or Fellow of CILEX Qualifying law degree and/ or relevant post graduate legal qualification, or extensive and significant experience of working in a NHS legal environment managing own caseload and providing legal advice
Must have rights of audience and be able to carry out regulated activity
I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.

Experience

Essential

Practising as a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX for 3 years.
Significant advocacy experience in a variety of Courts or Tribunals
Previous experience of advising managers either orally or in writing
Previous experience in using various computer packages i.e., Word, Outlook, Excel etc

Knowledge

Essential

Sound knowledge of the principles and processes of dealing with English Courts and Tribunal Services
Ability to analyse and advise on highly complex matters, both orally and in writing
Previous significant experience of dealing with inquests and legal claims through NHS Resolution
Theoretical knowledge of NHS provisions, governance, structures and social care policies

Desirable

Experience of other forms of litigation in a healthcare setting such as employment tribunal, professional regulatory or county court

Person Specification

Additional criteria

Essential

Able to meet the travel requirements of the role
You understand that we will not provide sponsorship to work for this role.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English in both verbal and written formats
Accuracy
Possess an excellent grasp of English and be able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels
Communicate with all disciplines of staff and external stakeholders in a clear and effective manner
Deal with people appropriately depending on the circumstances and individuals concerned

Qualifications

Essential

Capable of admission to the roll of Solicitors, Barristers or Fellow of CILEX Qualifying law degree and/ or relevant post graduate legal qualification, or extensive and significant experience of working in a NHS legal environment managing own caseload and providing legal advice
Must have rights of audience and be able to carry out regulated activity
I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.

Experience

Essential

Practising as a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX for 3 years.
Significant advocacy experience in a variety of Courts or Tribunals
Previous experience of advising managers either orally or in writing
Previous experience in using various computer packages i.e., Word, Outlook, Excel etc

Knowledge

Essential

Sound knowledge of the principles and processes of dealing with English Courts and Tribunal Services
Ability to analyse and advise on highly complex matters, both orally and in writing
Previous significant experience of dealing with inquests and legal claims through NHS Resolution
Theoretical knowledge of NHS provisions, governance, structures and social care policies

Desirable

Experience of other forms of litigation in a healthcare setting such as employment tribunal, professional regulatory or county court

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

2 Kings Court

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1JR

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

2 Kings Court

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1JR

Employer's website

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