Claims and Inquests Manager in Beckenham

Job summaryAre you a qualified lawyer or experienced paralegal looking for an opportunity to use your legal expertise on challenging, complex and highly sensitive cases?This is an opportunity to join our Legal Services team in a senior role where you will have significant responsibility for managing a varied caseload and providing specialist legal advice across a range of matters. You will work on complex clinical negligence and liability claims, inquests and other legal and regulatory proceedings, often involving multiple and competing legal, clinical and reputational considerations.You will work with senior clinicians and managers, external solicitors and counsel, NHS Resolution and HM Coroner, providing trusted legal advice and ensuring the Trust's interests are appropriately represented.This role offers the opportunity to develop your legal career within a specialist NHS environment, gaining substantial experience of complex litigation, coronial processes and legal risk within one of the UK's leading mental health providers.Main duties of the jobYou will take a senior role in the management of complex legal cases, exercising professional judgment and working with a high degree of autonomy.Your responsibilities will include: Managing a varied caseload of clinical negligence, employer's and public liability claims and other legal matters. Leading the Trust's response to complex, sensitive and high-profile inquests. Preparing and reviewing legal and witness documentation and supporting witnesses through the coronial process. Attending pre-inquest reviews and inquest hearings, representing the Trust where required. Advising senior staff on liability, causation, quantum, disclosure, legal process and risk. Working closely with external solicitors, counsel, NHS Resolution and HM Coroner. Managing matters where multiple legal and regulatory processes intersect. Identifying legal and reputational risk and advising on appropriate mitigation. Contributing to legal learning, governance and risk management across the Trust. Supporting colleagues with complex Court of Protection, Mental Health Act, safeguarding, data protection, Family and Criminal Court matters. Providing supervision and guidance to colleagues and deputising for the Legal Services Manager when required.About usSouth London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's leading mental health providers, with an international reputation for the quality of its services, research and training.Our Legal Services team operates in a uniquely complex legal environment. The breadth of the Trust's services means that our lawyers and legal professionals encounter challenging issues spanning clinical negligence, coronial law, mental health and capacity law, safeguarding, information governance, regulatory matters and litigation.This role provides the opportunity to work closely with senior clinical and corporate colleagues and external legal professionals, while developing an in-depth understanding of the legal and regulatory issues facing a major mental health provider.You will be supported to develop your professional expertise and will have access to learning and development opportunities. Our links with King's Health Partners, King's College London and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience provide an additional opportunity to work within a leading academic and research environment.DetailsDate posted12 October 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 7Salary
55,524 to 62,652 a year
Per Annum inclusive of HCAS
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number334-NCL- -MUJob locationsRoyal BethlemBeckenhamBR3 3BXUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThis is a role for a legally minded professional who enjoys getting to grips with complex cases, analysing evidence and providing clear, pragmatic legal advice.You will manage cases from initial notification through to resolution, working with NHS Resolution, external solicitors and counsel as appropriate. You will analyse complex information from multiple sources, identify legal and reputational risks and ensure the Trusts position is properly considered and represented.You will have a particularly important role in complex inquests, including liaising with HM Coroner, preparing evidence and witnesses, attending hearings and advising the Trust on emerging issues and risks.The role also provides exposure to a broad range of legal work, including Court of Protection, Mental Health Act, safeguarding, data protection, Family and Criminal Court matters and complex complaints.You will contribute to the Trusts legal risk management and learning from claims and inquests, as well as developing guidance and delivering training to colleagues.We are looking for someone with significant relevant legal experience and strong analytical, drafting and case-management skills. A legal qualification and current practising certificate as a solicitor or other regulated legal professional would be desirable. Experience of complex claims, inquests or working within a mental health or NHS environment would be an advantage.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesThis is a role for a legally minded professional who enjoys getting to grips with complex cases, analysing evidence and providing clear, pragmatic legal advice.You will manage cases from initial notification through to resolution, working with NHS Resolution, external solicitors and counsel as appropriate. You will analyse complex information from multiple sources, identify legal and reputational risks and ensure the Trusts position is properly considered and represented.You will have a particularly important role in complex inquests, including liaising with HM Coroner, preparing evidence and witnesses, attending hearings and advising the Trust on emerging issues and risks.The role also provides exposure to a broad range of legal work, including Court of Protection, Mental Health Act, safeguarding, data protection, Family and Criminal Court matters and complex complaints.You will contribute to the Trusts legal risk management and learning from claims and inquests, as well as developing guidance and delivering training to colleagues.We are looking for someone with significant relevant legal experience and strong analytical, drafting and case-management skills. A legal qualification and current practising certificate as a solicitor or other regulated legal professional would be desirable. Experience of complex claims, inquests or working within a mental health or NHS environment would be an advantage.Person Specification
Qualifications
EssentialoEducated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant field.oEvidence of continuing professional development.DesirableoRegistered solicitor or other regulated legal professional with a current practising certificate and good standing with the relevant professional body.
Experience
EssentialSignificant experience working in claims, inquests, legal services, governance, risk management, patient safety, complaints or a related NHS setting.Experience of working with clinicians, senior managers, legal advisers and external agencies.Experience of drafting reports, statements, briefings and formal correspondence.Experience of managing competing deadlines and priorities.Experience of supporting staff involved in challenging or sensitive processes.DesirableExperience of managing complex and sensitive cases.Experience of analysing information from multiple sources and identifying themes, risks and learning.Experience working with or for Mental Health providers
Knowledge
EssentialoKnowledge of relevant legislation and guidance, including clinical negligence processes, coronial processes, data protection and disclosure requirements.oUnderstanding of NHS Resolution processes and requirements.oUnderstanding of the coronial process and the role of HM Coroner.oKnowledge of disclosure obligations and information governance requirements.DesirableoUnderstanding of Duty of Candour and organisational learning from adverse events.oUnderstanding of NHS governance structures and patient safety frameworks.
Person Specification

Qualifications
EssentialoEducated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant field.oEvidence of continuing professional development.DesirableoRegistered solicitor or other regulated legal professional with a current practising certificate and good standing with the relevant professional body.
Experience
EssentialSignificant experience working in claims, inquests, legal services, governance, risk management, patient safety, complaints or a related NHS setting.Experience of working with clinicians, senior managers, legal advisers and external agencies.Experience of drafting reports, statements, briefings and formal correspondence.Experience of managing competing deadlines and priorities.Experience of supporting staff involved in challenging or sensitive processes.DesirableExperience of managing complex and sensitive cases.Experience of analysing information from multiple sources and identifying themes, risks and learning.Experience working with or for Mental Health providers
Knowledge
EssentialoKnowledge of relevant legislation and guidance, including clinical negligence processes, coronial processes, data protection and disclosure requirements.oUnderstanding of NHS Resolution processes and requirements.oUnderstanding of the coronial process and the role of HM Coroner.oKnowledge of disclosure obligations and information governance requirements.DesirableoUnderstanding of Duty of Candour and organisational learning from adverse events.oUnderstanding of NHS governance structures and patient safety frameworks.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications 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).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications 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).Employer detailsEmployer nameSouth London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustAddressRoyal BethlemBeckenhamBR3 3BXUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameSouth London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustAddressRoyal BethlemBeckenhamBR3 3BXUnited KingdomEmployer's website