Legal Department Officer

NHS; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in Coventry is seeking a Legal Department Officer to manage clinical negligence claims and support the Legal Services Department. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant legal qualification and strong analytical skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across teams. This role offers the opportunity to work in a dedicated environment committed to patient care and legal excellence.

Benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience managing clinical negligence cases.
• Ability to liaise effectively with clinical staff and legal teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clinical negligence claims.
• Assist in all aspects of the Legal Services Department's work.
• Analyze medical records and prepare reports for the NHSR.

Skills

Case management

Analytical skills

Legal negotiation

Education

Relevant legal qualification

Tools

Case Management System

Job description

Legal Department Officer

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

The closing date is 30 September 2025

Responsible for managing a caseload of clinical negligence claims, inquests, employer liability and public liability claims, along with assisting in Court of Protection, Family Court and Mental Health Tribunal applications. To otherwise assist in all aspects of the Legal Services Department's work.

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

Main duties of the job

• To manage the administration of coroner\'s inquests to include setting up of files, liaising with the coroner\'s office and ensuring requests for statements and other information are provided within the expected time period. The post requires the ability to format, gather and understand complex medical information and assist in the drafting of statements which will be used in court proceedings. It requires an ability to be persuasive and empathetic with all staff groups.
• Obtaining and analysing the medical records.
• Identifying the relevant witnesses and obtaining statements/reports and all other information relevant to the death, including incident investigation reports and Datix documentation.
• Arranging pre-inquest meetings.
• Attend inquests where necessary to ensure that the Trust has effective communication between the Coroner\'s office and the senior clinical team.
• Supporting the Head of Legal Services and Legal Department Manager in all matters pertaining to inquests as requested.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation\'s core values.

Job responsibilities

• Manage a substantial caseload of legal claims against the Trust to include clinical negligence claims in accordance with the requirements and guidelines published by the National Health Service Resolution (NHSR), to include:
  a. Obtaining and analysing the medical records to establish the factual chronology of care.
  b. Identifying the relevant witnesses and interviewing staff or obtaining paper reports.
  c. Analysing this information and taking the appropriate course of action. This will include drafting a comprehensive Preliminary Analysis Report to the NHSR.
  d. Reporting claims to the NHSR where appropriate.
  e. Analysing all reports and information to assess merits of the claim.
  f. Ensure that the Case Management System is updated and claims reported to the NHSR within the timescales specified. Escalating any delays immediately to the Head of Legal Services and/or Legal Services Manager.
  g. Liaising with the NHSR and Panel solicitors to further investigate the claim as it progresses.
  h. Analysing and cross-referencing expert reports with the medical records and/or clinicians comments, liaising with clinicians in relation to the content of expert reports, feeding back any comments to Panel Solicitors.
  i. Working with Panel Solicitors to reach a point in the claim where there is a firm Trust position in relation to breach of duty and causation.
  j. To ensure that there is a quarterly review of claims which analyses all learning that can be achieved from each claim and ensure that the specialities are appropriately informed. This will involve identifying any themes which should be addressed in order to enhance clinical care and require the ability to modify the way this information is delivered according to the staff group concerned.
  k. To audit the departments compliance with the Legal Department clinical negligence protocol.
  l. Supporting the Head of Legal Services and/or Legal Services Manager in all matters pertaining to clinical negligence claims as requested.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• see supporting documents
• see supporting documents

Experience

• see supporting documents

Knowledge

• see supporting documents

Skills

• see supporting documents
• see supporting documents

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• see supporting documents

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.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire

University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire