Job summary
Help lead the transformation of legal services in Wales' largest health board
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is undertaking a bold and innovative transformation of its legal services. As part of this strategic shift, we are strengthening our dedicated, in-house Legal Services Department to deliver high-quality, responsive, and embedded legal support across the organisation.
At the heart of this transformation is the new role of Principal Lawyer - a senior legal professional who will lead complex legal matters, shape legal governance, and help build a sustainable legal service that delivers real value to patients, staff, and the wider organisation.
This is a unique opportunity to join the Health Board at a pivotal moment, contributing to a significant improvement in the model of legal service delivery, which in turn will contribute to wider improvement in corporate governance practice.
Main duties of the job
About the Role
As Principal Lawyer, you will be a senior leader within the Legal Services Department, responsible for:
- Providing expert legal advice to clinicians, managers, and senior leaders across one or more specialist areas of law (which will include as a minimum healthcare related law).
- Managing complex legal casesincluding inquests, Court of Protection matters, redress, and other healthcare-related litigation.
- Representing the Health Board in court and tribunal proceedings, including high-profile, multi-day hearings with media presence.
- Leading legal research, drafting, and advocacy, including preparing witness statements, legal submissions, and supporting staff through emotionally challenging proceedings.
- Supervising and mentoring legal staff, supporting the development of a high-performing, professionally qualified legal team.
- Contributing to organisational learning, identifying themes and improvements from legal matters and supporting audits, reviews, and training.
- Acting as deputy to the Deputy Director for Legal Services, with delegated authority to act as required.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and 'Proud to Lead' competence framework.
Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the "Disability Confident Employer" scheme.
Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What Were Looking For
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated legal professional who is ready to take on a leadership role in a dynamic and evolving setting.
You will bring:
- A law degree or equivalent (e.g. CILEX CPQ), and a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Admission as a solicitor, barrister, or chartered legal executive with litigation and advocacy rights.
- Extensive experience in legal case management, litigation, and advocacy - ideally within healthcare, public law, or related sectors.
- Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex legal matters.
- A commitment to continuous professional development and legal excellence.
Why join Legal Services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board? This is a unique opportunity to join us at a pivotal moment - you will:
- Be part of a unique legal transformation that is reshaping how legal services are delivered in Wales' biggest health board.
- Work in a supportive, forward-thinking teamwith opportunities for innovation, development, and influence.
- Make a real impact on patient care, staff wellbeing and professional development, and organisational governance through expert legal support.
This is more than a legal jobits a chance to lead change, build something new, and make a lasting difference.
You will also play a key role in delivering the five strategic objectives of the Legal Services Department:
- Establish an Effective Legal Services Department Help shape a modern, responsive legal function that is embedded across the Health Board and trusted by its stakeholders.
- Improve Health Board Legal Processes Lead improvements in how legal matters are managed, ensuring consistency, oversight, and timely escalation of risks.
- Enable Improvements to Legal Outcomes and Learning Support the identification of learning from legal cases, contributing to safer care and better governance.
- Improve Working Practices in the Legal Services Department Develop efficient, transparent, and collaborative ways of working across the team.
- Improve Professional Development and Wellbeing Mentor and support colleagues, contributing to a culture of growth, wellbeing, and professional excellence.
The Legal Services Department is more than a workplace - it is a developing specialised community built on trust, professionalism, and shared purpose. Youll be joining a department that is visible, embedded, and influential - working alongside clinicians, managers, and leaders as a true partner in improving care for the people of North Wales.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What Were Looking For
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated legal professional who is ready to take on a leadership role in a dynamic and evolving setting.
You will bring:
- A law degree or equivalent (e.g. CILEX CPQ), and a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Admission as a solicitor, barrister, or chartered legal executive with litigation and advocacy rights.
- Extensive experience in legal case management, litigation, and advocacy - ideally within healthcare, public law, or related sectors.
- Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex legal matters.
- A commitment to continuous professional development and legal excellence.
Why join Legal Services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board? This is a unique opportunity to join us at a pivotal moment - you will:
- Be part of a unique legal transformation that is reshaping how legal services are delivered in Wales' biggest health board.
- Work in a supportive, forward-thinking teamwith opportunities for innovation, development, and influence.
- Make a real impact on patient care, staff wellbeing and professional development, and organisational governance through expert legal support.
This is more than a legal jobits a chance to lead change, build something new, and make a lasting difference.
You will also play a key role in delivering the five strategic objectives of the Legal Services Department:
- Establish an Effective Legal Services Department Help shape a modern, responsive legal function that is embedded across the Health Board and trusted by its stakeholders.
- Improve Health Board Legal Processes Lead improvements in how legal matters are managed, ensuring consistency, oversight, and timely escalation of risks.
- Enable Improvements to Legal Outcomes and Learning Support the identification of learning from legal cases, contributing to safer care and better governance.
- Improve Working Practices in the Legal Services Department Develop efficient, transparent, and collaborative ways of working across the team.
- Improve Professional Development and Wellbeing Mentor and support colleagues, contributing to a culture of growth, wellbeing, and professional excellence.
The Legal Services Department is more than a workplace - it is a developing specialised community built on trust, professionalism, and shared purpose. Youll be joining a department that is visible, embedded, and influential - working alongside clinicians, managers, and leaders as a true partner in improving care for the people of North Wales.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Law degree or equivalent i.e. CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ)
- Relevant post-graduate qualification or equivalent experience
- Qualified lawyer with litigation and advocacy rights i.e. o Qualified solicitor admitted to the roll of solicitors of England and Wales o Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX) Litigator and Advocate o Qualified barrister admitted to the bar in England and Wales
- Regulation and Practicing Certificate with relevant regulatory body with no restrictions on ability to practice for this role
- Evidence of ongoing, relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Expert legal knowledge relevant to the area of law for this post
- Expert professional legal skills knowledge
Desirable
- Higher rights of audience
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of providing professional legal services relevant to the area of law for this post
- Extensive experience of managing a dedicated caseload of legal matters
- Extensive experience of working with and managing highly complex, contentious and sensitive information and situations
Desirable
- Experience of providing legal advice, conducting litigation and advocacy in relation to healthcare matters such as clinical negligence claims, personal injury claims, inquests, Court of Protection cases, etc.
- Experience of providing legal advice, conducting litigation and advocacy in relation to governance (including public law such as Judicial Review), commercial or employment matters
- Experience of providing in-house legal services within healthcare or related sector such as local government, etc.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Law degree or equivalent i.e. CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ)
- Relevant post-graduate qualification or equivalent experience
- Qualified lawyer with litigation and advocacy rights i.e. o Qualified solicitor admitted to the roll of solicitors of England and Wales o Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX) Litigator and Advocate o Qualified barrister admitted to the bar in England and Wales
- Regulation and Practicing Certificate with relevant regulatory body with no restrictions on ability to practice for this role
- Evidence of ongoing, relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Expert legal knowledge relevant to the area of law for this post
- Expert professional legal skills knowledge
Desirable
- Higher rights of audience
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of providing professional legal services relevant to the area of law for this post
- Extensive experience of managing a dedicated caseload of legal matters
- Extensive experience of working with and managing highly complex, contentious and sensitive information and situations
Desirable
- Experience of providing legal advice, conducting litigation and advocacy in relation to healthcare matters such as clinical negligence claims, personal injury claims, inquests, Court of Protection cases, etc.
- Experience of providing legal advice, conducting litigation and advocacy in relation to governance (including public law such as Judicial Review), commercial or employment matters
- Experience of providing in-house legal services within healthcare or related sector such as local government, etc.
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
