Job summary
In this client-facing role, the Senior Healthcare Lawyer will provide personalised, professional legal support across the Trust. As a key member of KingsLegal, the Senior Healthcare Lawyer will deliver expert legal advice and representation on complex healthcare law matters. This includes advocacy, handling sensitive and complex inquests, Court proceedings, (particularly Court of Protection), the interface with NHSR and multi-faceted clinical negligence claims. The Senior Healthcare Lawyer will manage a wide range of healthcare advisory work, including supporting specialist teams with mental capacity, mental health, safeguarding, and consent issues. The role involves hands-on casework, oral representation both at Court and with official bodies as well as the in-person development and supervision of junior legal staff. The post holder will work closely with the General Counsel (Healthcare) and Head of Legal Services to deliver a premium, proficient legal service that aligns with the Trust's strategic goals.
Main duties of the job
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Legal Case Management: Lead and manage complex legal cases including clinical negligence, inquests, LTPS, and Court of Protection matters; conduct investigations, prepare legal reports, and represent the Trust in various legal forums.
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Advocacy and Representation: Undertake advocacy in court and tribunal settings (e.g., Inquests, Court of Protection, Magistrate's and County Courts), ensuring compliance with legal protocols and safeguarding the Trust's reputation.
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Client-Focused Legal Advice: Provide expert legal advice in diverse environments (ward, boardroom, off-site), covering both contentious and advisory matters.
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Healthcare Legal Advisory: Advise on complex healthcare law issues (consent, mental health, safeguarding, etc.), identify legal risks early, and guide policy and compliance improvements.
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Governance and Risk Oversight: Use legal insights from claims and case data to inform risk management and governance, contributing to Trust committees and improvement initiatives.
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Leadership and Training: Supervise and develop junior legal staff, support recruitment, and deliver legal training across the Trust, while shaping the strategic direction of the legal team.
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Legal Case Management:
- Lead complex portfolios, including:
- Clinical negligence
- LTPS
- Inquest matters
- Court of Protection cases (and other Court matters)
- Conduct detailed investigations, gather and analyse evidence, and prepare legal reports and advice.
- Undertake advocacy in various settings, including:
- Inquests
- Court of Protection hearings
- Magistrates Court
- County Court
- Public Inquiries
- Ensure compliance with NHS Resolution and statutory protocols.
- Represent the Trust in sensitive and complex legal matters, maintaining professionalism and protecting the Trusts reputation.
- Provide client-facing advice in various settings:
- On the ward
- In the boardroom
- Off-site
Healthcare Advisory Work:
- Provide practical and timely legal advice on complex healthcare-related issues, including:
- Consent
- Mental Capacity
- Mental health
- Safeguarding
- Best Interests
- Early identification and management of potential legal proceedings.
- Advise on the Trusts policies and regulatory obligations, recommending improvements.
Governance and Risk Management:
- Analyse claims, inquests, and advisory data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
- Support governance processes and contribute legal input to Trust committees and working groups.
Leadership and Management:
- Supervise, train, and mentor junior members of KingsLegal with strong in-person attention.
- Support the recruitment, induction, and ongoing training within KingsLegal.
- Contribute to the strategic development of KingsLegal.
- Deliver Trust-wide legal training for clinical and management staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Legal Case Management:
- Lead complex portfolios, including:
- Clinical negligence
- LTPS
- Inquest matters
- Court of Protection cases (and other Court matters)
- Conduct detailed investigations, gather and analyse evidence, and prepare legal reports and advice.
- Undertake advocacy in various settings, including:
- Inquests
- Court of Protection hearings
- Magistrates Court
- County Court
- Public Inquiries
- Ensure compliance with NHS Resolution and statutory protocols.
- Represent the Trust in sensitive and complex legal matters, maintaining professionalism and protecting the Trusts reputation.
- Provide client-facing advice in various settings:
- On the ward
- In the boardroom
- Off-site
Healthcare Advisory Work:
- Provide practical and timely legal advice on complex healthcare-related issues, including:
- Consent
- Mental Capacity
- Mental health
- Safeguarding
- Best Interests
- Early identification and management of potential legal proceedings.
- Advise on the Trusts policies and regulatory obligations, recommending improvements.
Governance and Risk Management:
- Analyse claims, inquests, and advisory data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
- Support governance processes and contribute legal input to Trust committees and working groups.
Leadership and Management:
- Supervise, train, and mentor junior members of KingsLegal with strong in-person attention.
- Support the recruitment, induction, and ongoing training within KingsLegal.
- Contribute to the strategic development of KingsLegal.
- Deliver Trust-wide legal training for clinical and management staff.
Person Specification
Educaton and Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified solicitor, legal executive or barrister of England and Wales or equivalent experience and training.
- Evidence of significant post graduate diploma level or equivalent experience of claims and / or inquest management, in the NHS or similar environment.
- Extensive Inquest and/ or other Court advocacy competence
- Member of relevant Professional Body / Practicing Certificate (e.g. Solicitors Regulation Authority; Bar Council).
Desirable
- Higher rights of audience
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of NHS Claims management, including high value clinical negligence claims and complex Coroner's Inquests or significant experience in a similar setting.
- Extensive experience of appearing in court and representing clients in contentious, high profile or high-risk matters.
- An understanding of the importance of good file management, use of attendance notes and maintaining electronic records where required
- Extensive experience in managing Court of Protection matters / Court applications
- Strong knowledge and ability to provide prompt, accurate and consistent legal advice on healthcare regulatory matters.
Desirable
- Strong track record of supervising and training junior legal staff
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Able to represent the Trust at inquests and other Court matters and support non-legal staff accordingly.
- Able to effectively and efficiently escalate to senior management for guidance and support on more complex matters.
- Strong strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.
- Excellent use of available information sources to enable efficient and effective planning.
- Proven ability to work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines.
- Proven ability to prepare comprehensive reports on claims and inquests for various committees, often at short notice.
- Proven ability to work on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary.
Desirable
- Strong experience of working on internal and external committees in order to raise Trust profile and bring learning and key development knowledge to the Trust
Person Specification
Educaton and Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified solicitor, legal executive or barrister of England and Wales or equivalent experience and training.
- Evidence of significant post graduate diploma level or equivalent experience of claims and / or inquest management, in the NHS or similar environment.
- Extensive Inquest and/ or other Court advocacy competence
- Member of relevant Professional Body / Practicing Certificate (e.g. Solicitors Regulation Authority; Bar Council).
Desirable
- Higher rights of audience
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of NHS Claims management, including high value clinical negligence claims and complex Coroner's Inquests or significant experience in a similar setting.
- Extensive experience of appearing in court and representing clients in contentious, high profile or high-risk matters.
- An understanding of the importance of good file management, use of attendance notes and maintaining electronic records where required
- Extensive experience in managing Court of Protection matters / Court applications
- Strong knowledge and ability to provide prompt, accurate and consistent legal advice on healthcare regulatory matters.
Desirable
- Strong track record of supervising and training junior legal staff
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Able to represent the Trust at inquests and other Court matters and support non-legal staff accordingly.
- Able to effectively and efficiently escalate to senior management for guidance and support on more complex matters.
- Strong strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.
- Excellent use of available information sources to enable efficient and effective planning.
- Proven ability to work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines.
- Proven ability to prepare comprehensive reports on claims and inquests for various committees, often at short notice.
- Proven ability to work on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary.
Desirable
- Strong experience of working on internal and external committees in order to raise Trust profile and bring learning and key development knowledge to the Trust
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).
Employer details
Employer name
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Denmark Hill
LONDON
SE5 9RS
Employer's website
https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
