Legal Services and Inquest Officer

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust; Tewkesbury; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable healthcare trust in Tewkesbury is seeking a fully qualified Legal Services Officer to manage inquests, clinical negligence cases, and legal inquiries. The successful candidate will advocate for the Trust in Coroners Courts and ensure compliance with NHS procedural rules. Responsibilities include maintaining legal records, developing reports, and providing legal training to staff. This full-time role offers a supportive work environment with a commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified legal professional with experience in managing inquests and clinical negligence.
• Ability to advocate in Coroners Courts and handle complex legal cases.
• Experience delivering training on legal processes to staff.

Responsibilities

• Act as the point of contact for legal inquiries from various stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate records of legal cases in the management system.
• Prepare and deliver legal training to staff about inquest processes.
• Develop and present qualitative reports on legal matters to the Board.

Skills

Legal qualification

Court of Protection cases management

Clinical negligence case management

Advocacy in inquest process

Education

Law degree or equivalent qualification

Tools

In-house case management system

Job description

Legal Services Officer – Inquest Officer

We are looking for a fully qualified legal professional to join a small, friendly and supportive Legal Team in a full‑time post of Legal Services and Inquest Officer. The successful candidate will be legally qualified or have suitable relevant experience to manage a mixed case‑load of inquests, Court of Protection and clinical negligence cases and personal injury claims. They will advocate for the Trust at Coroners Courts across the Trust’s geographical location, ensuring that inquests and claims are managed in accordance with NHS Rules and procedural rules to minimise risks to the Trust.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of contact for all legal enquiries from the police, solicitors and NHS organisations.
• Accurately maintain and record all legal cases in the in‑house case management system.
• Advocate on behalf of the Trust at inquests, offering advice and guidance on inquest process, claims and healthcare law.
• Work with NHS Resolution and Trust solicitors, instruct barristers and independent experts where appropriate.
• Prepare and deliver legal training to staff and managers on inquest and claims processes.
• Liaise with Trust management, clinical leads, Learning and Development teams and national groups to develop learning points from claims and inquests into practice.
• Assist with development and preparation of qualitative and statistical reports on legal matters, presenting to the Board of Directors, Quality Committee, Executive Directors Group and other groups.

Qualifications

Legal qualification or relevant experience to manage inquests, Court of Protection and negligence cases.

About the Trust

We have over 5000 colleagues across 55 sites and provide a welcoming workplace culture that celebrates civility, inclusivity and diversity.

Staff Engagement

• 72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work.
• 76% would recommend the standard of care provided in our services.
• 81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust’s priority.

The successful candidate will be based in Brockworth, Gloucestershire within the Trust Headquarters.