Legal Services and Inquest Officer

NHS; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare trust in Gloucester seeks a Legal Services and Inquest Officer to join its legal team. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing inquests, court cases, and clinical negligence claims, providing advocacy at Coroners Courts. A law degree or equivalent experience in healthcare law is necessary. The post offers a salary of £47,810 to £54,710 per annum with a focus on supporting the Trust's legal needs and ensuring compliance with relevant procedures.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in law or equivalent experience in healthcare law.
• Recognised para-legal level experience required.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for legal enquiries.
• Manage legal cases using an in-house case management system.
• Provide advocacy for the Trust at inquests.

Skills

Legal expertise in healthcare law

Advocacy skills

Data Protection knowledge

Experience with inquests

Education

Degree in law

Postgraduate qualification in related field

Tools

NHSLA case management system

Job description

Job summary

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join a small, friendly and supportive Legal Team in a full-time post of Legal Services and Inquest Officer.

The successful candidate will need to be legally qualified or with suitable relevant experience to enable them to manage a mixed case load of inquests, Court of Protection and clinical negligence cases and personal injury claims. There will be a high level of advocacy representing the interests of the Trust at Coroners Courts across the Trust's geographical location.

The successful candidate will ensure that inquests and claims are effectively managed in accordance with the Trust's NHSR Scheme Rules, Civil Procedure Rules, Pre-action Protocols and Coroners Rules to minimise financial, reputation and other risks to the Trust.

The team is located within the Trust Headquarters based in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. You will be joining a forward thinking, innovative team dedicated to providing the trust with dedicated, professional legal support.

Main duties of the job

Alongside a variety of responsibilities, you will be single point of contact for all legal enquiries coming into the Trust from a variety of organisations such as the police, solicitors and NHS organisations.

Utilising the in-house case management system to accurately maintain and record all legal cases.

Provide advocacy on behalf of the Trust at inquests relating to the organisation. Offering advice and guidance on all aspects of the inquest process, claims and healthcare law, based on knowledge and experience, legislation, national, international and local guidelines and best practice.

To work with NHS Resolution and Trust solicitors in the instruction of barristers and independent experts where appropriate and required.

You will work closely with NHS Resolution and Trust Solicitors on new and on-going claims.

To assist with the preparing and delivery of legal training to staff and managers on processes associated with inquests and claims.

Liaise with the Trust management, clinical leads, Learning and Development teams, and national groups to ensure learning points from claims and inquests are developed into Trust practice and national practice.

To assist with the development, preparation of qualitative and statistical reports of a very high standard on legal matters and present to the Board of Directors, Quality Committee, Executive Directors Group and other groups.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in law or ability to evidence a thorough understanding of the healthcare law, gained either in an NHS legal department or private practice environment.
• Postgraduate qualification in related field or equivalent experience and knowledge in healthcare law (e.g. inquest management, court of protection, Coroners).

Desirable

• Membership of CILEX or SRA and Law Society.

Experience

Essential

• Recognised para-legal level experience.
• Experience of working within an NHS legal department or private practice with an understanding of Healthcare, Advisory/Public Law.
• Demonstrable experience in dealing with third party professional organisations and the public, along with sensitive and confidential information.
• Working knowledge of Data Protection and GDPR in relation to the disclosure of data/information.
• Significant experience in carrying out complex legal and claims, investigations, evidence gathering, court preparation and advocacy.
• Experience of writing and presenting complex information at senior management level.
• Experience of writing court reports and preparing case files.

Desirable

• Ability to use NHSLA case management system.

Professional Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice and civil claims systems and/or the Court of Protection.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of the legal and claims process.
• Detailed understanding of NHS Resolutions working practices and standards.

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. 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.

Employer details

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Edward Jenner Court

Gloucester Business Park

Gloucester

GL3 4AW

Employer website

https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/who-we-are/jobs/

Details

Date posted: 19 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

327-25-1058

Job locations

Edward Jenner Court

Gloucester Business Park

Gloucester

GL3 4AW