Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join Hywel Dda University Health Board in a new role of Solicitor/Counsel. The successful applicant will play a key role in the development of legal services within the health board. We are looking for a dynamic and dedicated individual to bring enthusiasm and innovation to the role.
Main duties of the job
The successful post holder will be highly motivated and expected to work with minimal supervision. The post holder will be running a caseload of predominantly court of protection matters, inquests and some involvement in the more complex redress matters. It is also expected that the post holder will provide advice on general health care law.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service userexperiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 25/09/2025.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service userexperiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 25/09/2025.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Law Degree (or evidence of qualification through the Solicitors Regulation Authority Register)
- Legal Practice Course (LPC) or equivalent
- Professional Skills Course (or equivalent)
- Knowledge of health care and clinical negligence & personal injury law
- Knowledge of Mental Capacity and Mental Health Law
- Knowledge of all aspects of integrated governance
Desirable
- Pg Dip Medical Ethics and Law
Experience
Essential
- Drafting and preparing legal documents
- Experience of taking matters to the Court of Protection
- Claims Management experience
- Experience of clinical negligence, personal injury litigation systems and processes
- Managing cases involving complex patient issues
- Undertaking complex research
- Change Management
- Making presentations on complex issues to a large number of people
- Leadership skills
Desirable
- Attending and managing Inquests
- Advocacy
- Preparing cases & attending Court of Protection Hearings
- Strategy/Policy development
Language Skills
Desirable
Other
Essential
- To meet requirement of SRA in undertaking CPD
- Will be required to travel to different locations within Health Board and across the UK
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Law Degree (or evidence of qualification through the Solicitors Regulation Authority Register)
- Legal Practice Course (LPC) or equivalent
- Professional Skills Course (or equivalent)
- Knowledge of health care and clinical negligence & personal injury law
- Knowledge of Mental Capacity and Mental Health Law
- Knowledge of all aspects of integrated governance
Desirable
- Pg Dip Medical Ethics and Law
Experience
Essential
- Drafting and preparing legal documents
- Experience of taking matters to the Court of Protection
- Claims Management experience
- Experience of clinical negligence, personal injury litigation systems and processes
- Managing cases involving complex patient issues
- Undertaking complex research
- Change Management
- Making presentations on complex issues to a large number of people
- Leadership skills
Desirable
- Attending and managing Inquests
- Advocacy
- Preparing cases & attending Court of Protection Hearings
- Strategy/Policy development
Language Skills
Desirable
Other
Essential
- To meet requirement of SRA in undertaking CPD
- Will be required to travel to different locations within Health Board and across the UK
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).
