Director of Legal Services in Coventry

Strategic To work with, and advise the Executive Director of Governance and Assurance in respect to the long term strategic planning of Legal Services at the Trust, using specialist knowledge of the law and best practice. To deputise for the Executive Director of Governance and Assurance as required, including attendance and the provision of advice at Chief Officer Group, Trust Board and Board Committees.

Operational To have final professional and managerial responsibility for all advice given within the Legal Services Department. To act as the legal expert for the Trust, managing all aspects of the Legal Services Department, providing legal advice across a broad range of areas including clinical negligence, Coroners Inquests, Insurance, employers and public liability, consent, Powers of Attorney, Wills and other healthcare law issues. To ensure that the Legal Service provided is effective and provides value for money for the Trust. To monitor and scrutinise all legal activity and spend across the Trust to develop a clear understanding of the needs of the Trust and costs involved, making recommendations where necessary to rationalise services.

To be responsible for the management of all claims and inquest within the Trust, receiving, monitoring and ensuring compliance with the reporting and handling of such matters; analysing complex and conflicting information and seeking clinical input into clinical negligence claims. To liaise with external stakeholders on legal matters, including formal negotiations to secure the most advantageous outcome for the Trust. To represent the Trust at court and Coroners Inquests, providing support and guidance to Trust staff that may be called to give evidence and analysing/interpreting evidence in order to make decisions on the management of the inquest.

To act as a confident advocate, including the ability to examine and cross-examine witnesses, present evidence and make submissions/representations to the Coroner on relevant law, as necessary, in the Coroners Court and before a jury. To understand the medical complexities of each case in conjunction with senior clinicians and recognise potentially problematic areas, both clinically and legally, which may require further investigation and reporting for the purposes of the inquest.

To be accountable for ensuring that the Trust makes an application to the High Court and Court of Protection in cases where legal protection is required for the Trust and its staff to avoid civil and criminal liability. To ensure that the Legal Services Department acts with the appropriate level of urgency, sensitivity and responsibility, in preparation of High Court/Court of Protection applications. This will involve analysis and interpretation of highly complex legal principles and application of these to complex factual matrices and negotiating and advising (involving comparison of a range of outcome options) on the resolution of these highly contentious matters, bearing in mind the desired outcome for the Trust.