Solicitor

Optical Express Group; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Free Laser Eye Surgery and Intraocular

Free eye tests

Discounted prescription eyewear

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Optical Express Group is seeking a qualified Solicitor to join its in-house Legal team in Glasgow City Centre. The role focuses on managing and defending patient-related claims arising from ophthalmic services, including laser eye and lens procedures.

You will work with clinicians, risk managers, insurers, and external counsel to protect the company's legal interests. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and clinical governance standards while providing

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor in Scotland with valid practising certificate.
• 3+ years PQE in clinical negligence, healthcare litigation, medical malpractice defence, professional indemnity litigation, or related personal injury with medical elements.
• In-house experience is preferred but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clinical negligence and medical malpractice claims from pre-action to resolution.
• Investigate negligence, informed consent issues, treatment complications, and patient complaints.
• Instruct and manage external solicitors, advocates, and medical experts as needed.
• Assess legal and financial risk and provide strategic recommendations.
• Negotiate settlements and support litigation strategy.
• Advise senior management on litigation trends and risk mitigation.
• Support responses to complaints from patients, regulators, and legal representatives.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Drafting

Advocacy

Negotiation

Independent work

Education

Qualified Solicitor in Scotland

Valid practising certificate

3+ years PQE in clinical negligence and healthcare litigation

Job description

Job Title: Solicitor

Location: Glasgow City Centre

Hours of work: 40hrs pw, fully office based

Salary: Commensurate with level of experience

Optical Express is focused on delivering exceptional patient care, outstanding clinical outcomes and continued investment in our people and technology.
For over 35 years, millions of patients across all ages have trusted Optical Express with their eye care. As the UK's leading private provider of laser eye, premium intraocular lens and cataract surgery, our Surgeons undertake more refractive surgery procedures collectively than any other provider. We look after thousands of patients in our clinics every week and it's a privilege to transform the lives of so many.
The Optical Express team work together, collectively and consistently striving for excellence. We support each other, respect each other and are committed to a culture of care, trust and integrity.
The culture extends to our local communities, through our range of charitable and environmental projects. We focus on doing what is right for our patients, our colleagues, our local communities and our planet.

Role Overview

We are seeking a qualified Solicitor to join our in-house Legal team, responsible for managing and defending patient-related claims arising from ophthalmic services, including laser eye surgery, lens replacement surgery, cataract surgery, and related clinical treatments.

The successful candidate will work closely with clinicians, risk managers, insurers, external counsel, and senior business stakeholders to protect the company's legal interests while ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and clinical governance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clinical negligence and medical malpractice claims from pre-action stage through to resolution.
• Investigate allegations of negligence, informed consent issues, treatment complications, and patient complaints.
• Instruct and manage external solicitors, advocates, counsel, and medical experts where required.
• Assess legal and financial risk exposure and provide strategic recommendations.
• Negotiate settlements where appropriate and assist with litigation strategy.
• Support responses to complaints received from patients, regulators, and legal representatives.
• Advise senior management on litigation trends, case outcomes, and risk mitigation.

Required Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor in Scotland, or dual-qualified.
• Valid practising certificate.
• 3+ years' PQE in:
  • Clinical negligence
  • Healthcare litigation
  • Medical malpractice defence
  • Professional indemnity litigation
  • Personal injury litigation with medical elements

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of clinical negligence law and litigation procedures.
• Experience reviewing expert medical evidence.
• Ability to analyse complex medical and legal issues.
• Excellent drafting, advocacy, and negotiation skills.
• Experience handling high-value and sensitive claims.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Previous In-house legal experience is preferred but not essential

A career at Optical Express is fulfilling, fun and rewarding. As an employee, you can benefit from the following:

• State of the art, modern working environments
• A competitive salary, commensurate with level of experience
• 33 days annual leave
• Free Laser Eye Surgery and Intraocular Lens Surgery
• Free eye tests
• Discounted prescription eye wear and sunglasses
• Generous Optical Express friends and family discount scheme
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Pension scheme
• Access to a range of exclusive offers, discounts and rewards
• Employee Assistance Programme and Wellbeing Solutions/Support