Job summary
Legal & Risk Services is a division of the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership which provides a comprehensive legal advisory service to the NHS.
Our Core Values, which are important in how we work with our clients and how we support our colleagues, are:o Listening and Learningo Working togethero Taking responsibilityo Innovating
We have an exciting opportunity for a junior lawyer to join our Inquest Team. We advise and represent the whole of the NHS in Wales.
The types of cases we typically advise on include:o Mental Health relatedo Prison deathso Fallso Sepsis o Maternal and neonatal deathso Drug/alcohol relatedo Peri or post surgical deaths. The Team are experts in their field who are regularly instructed in novel and high profile cases. We work closely with our clients' clinical and patient safety teams.
The work of Legal & Risk has been recognised in the awards we have won. We aim to push boundaries and continue to develop ways to support the important work of the NHS.
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for reviewing medical records/reports, drafting correspondence to obtain evidence and assisting in the preparation of client advice, witness statements, court bundles, and instructions to counsel. We are committed to the development and well-being of our staff. You will have the support of a Team Manager and a number of other senior lawyers.
The ideal candidate for this position must have good communication skills, a confident approach to work and can demonstrate our core values. There will be a need for empathy and sensitivity due to the very personal nature of the cases we deal with.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
We have high standards and expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening & Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility & Innovating, whilst ensuring trust, honesty and compassion are implicit in everything that we do. We are adaptable, agile and flexible and pride ourselves on being a learning organisation - one where it is safe to make mistakes, where blame is replaced by opportunity, learning and improvement. innovation is built into everything that we do.
We recognise our people regularly and have an Appreciation Station, to encourage staff to applaud exemplary behaviour in one another, alongside an Annual Staff Recognition Award ceremony aligned to our values. We respect and value our people and strive for a culture of compassion and inclusivity.
We are a bilingual organisation, and we have a team of Change Champions who advocate 'This is Our NWSSP' our principal change programme. Similarly, PROUD is our new staff network welcoming LGBT+ colleagues and allies to come together in a safe space for discussions, event planning and the opportunity to build supportive networks. We have a comprehensive benefits package where there is something for everyone, supporting health, engagement and wellbeing and includes an Employee Assistance Programme. We have over 30 Mental Health First Aiders and work in partnership with local and national organisations to ensure the well-being and resilience of our people.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Knowledge
Essential
- Law Degree & Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (or equivalent)
- Qualified with litigation and advocacy rights
Desirable
- Professional Skills Course or equivalent
- Academic modules in Medical Law ( Mental Capacity and Mental Health)
Experience
Essential
- Experience gained through training within the relevant field
Desirable
- Experience of the relevant field/fields of Law i.e. clinical negligence/personal injury and Inquests
- Advocacy in Coroner's Court
- Experience of making presentations to non-legal staff
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- IT Skills/Computer literate to include the ability to learn new technologies and IT introduced.
- Ability to communicate in all formats in plain English
- Ability to negotiate in often difficult or emotional circumstances
- Conscientious, confident, flexible and professional approach to work
- Ability to prioritise and organise own work
- Ability to recognise own capabilities
- Evidence of excellent client care skills.
Desirable
- Meets all desirable criteria as per attached job description/person specification
Values
Essential
- Listening & Learning
- Working together
- Taking responsibility
- Innovating
Desirable
- Meets all desirable criteria as per attached job description/person specification
Other
Essential
- Willing to undertake further professional development
- Able to travel to undertake the duties of the post at various locations.
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications/Knowledge
Essential
- Law Degree & Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (or equivalent)
- Qualified with litigation and advocacy rights
Desirable
- Professional Skills Course or equivalent
- Academic modules in Medical Law ( Mental Capacity and Mental Health)
Experience
Essential
- Experience gained through training within the relevant field
Desirable
- Experience of the relevant field/fields of Law i.e. clinical negligence/personal injury and Inquests
- Advocacy in Coroner's Court
- Experience of making presentations to non-legal staff
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- IT Skills/Computer literate to include the ability to learn new technologies and IT introduced.
- Ability to communicate in all formats in plain English
- Ability to negotiate in often difficult or emotional circumstances
- Conscientious, confident, flexible and professional approach to work
- Ability to prioritise and organise own work
- Ability to recognise own capabilities
- Evidence of excellent client care skills.
Desirable
- Meets all desirable criteria as per attached job description/person specification
Values
Essential
- Listening & Learning
- Working together
- Taking responsibility
- Innovating
Desirable
- Meets all desirable criteria as per attached job description/person specification
Other
Essential
- Willing to undertake further professional development
- Able to travel to undertake the duties of the post at various locations.
Desirable
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).
