Job Overview
We have an exciting new opportunity for a Paralegal to join our Legal Services Team on a fixed term, 12‑month contract. You will support the Litigation Manager and, under their oversight and supervision, assist in the management of Coroner’s investigations and requests, including conducting preliminary investigations. You will also support the management of any clinical negligence and employer/public liability claims that may be made against the Trust, including organising and conducting preliminary investigations, ensuring that they are managed appropriately and efficiently. You will be responsible for providing the day‑to‑day delivery of the Legal Team’s administrative support.
Main Duties of the Job
* Respond to all queries, correspondence and telephone calls in a timely and professional manner; initiate action where appropriate.
* Manage and maintain Datix Inquest and Claims Modules ensuring that information held on it is accurate and up to date.
* Produce reports relating to the legal team’s activity, documents and presentations using an appropriate level of IT skill.
* Prepare medical records bundles for Inquest hearings where required.
* Provide administrative support to meetings as required, including producing agendas, taking minutes, collating papers and ensuring actions are followed up.
Working for Our Organisation
Do you believe in Compassion, Respect, Empowerment and Partnership? Then CNWL is a perfect place for you. Our small, supportive legal services team is interested to hear from you. CNWL is always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With a diverse culture and opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more—whatever stage of your career you are at, there is always a place for you at CNWL.
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
Act as the main point of contact for all claims, clinical and non‑clinical, made against the Trust.
* Support the Litigation Manager in the conduct of clinical negligence claims, including an initial review of medical records for disclosure, completion of a summary of the case, providing advice on additional evidence required and supplying administrative support as necessary.
* Assist in reviewing and entering new clinical negligence claims onto the claims tracker and Datix, ensuring compliance with relevant Pre‑Action Protocols and checking for previous complaints or internal investigations. Liaise with the Claimant’s solicitors as needed.
* Support in employer/public liability claims, including preliminary investigations, gathering evidence, identifying factual witnesses and providing a preliminary report to the Litigation Manager advising on strategy and next steps.
* Manage the Inquest mailbox inbox, ensuring queries are dealt with and resolved promptly, and support the Litigation Manager in prioritising urgent queries.
* Set up new cases on the tracker and Datix, obtain and bundle medical records, collate complaints/incident investigations, review medical records, identify factual witnesses, handle general case management as requested and communicate with the Coroner’s office.
* Review evidence before disclosure to the Coroner, identifying any additional evidence required and highlighting issues or concerns to the Litigation Manager.
* Assist in organising complex inquests and facilitate instruction and provision of information to external legal advisors.
* Provide the day‑to‑day delivery of the legal team’s administrative support.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Essential: Law graduate or equivalent.
* Desirable: Knowledge of Mental Health Law; Knowledge of Clinical Risk and Claims Management; Successful completion of the Legal Practice Course.
Values and Behaviours
* Essential: Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team; Ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with confidential, sensitive and legal matters.
Experience
* Essential: Experience working in a legal environment and within the NHS; Experience of Civil Claims.
* Desirable: Demonstrable experience supporting clinical negligence and Inquest investigations.
Skills and Knowledge
* Essential: Knowledge of statutory requirements, including data protection, patient confidentiality and equality and diversity; Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages and other digital platforms including legal software; Ability to prioritise work and manage time; Excellent organisational skills; Well‑developed positive interpersonal and influencing skills.
* Desirable: Understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules, claims process and HM Coroner Rules and Regulations; Understanding of investigations/claims management principles; Knowledge of the NHS Resolution role.
Attitudes, Aptitudes, Personal Characteristics
* Essential: Ability to manage own workload and use initiative; Understand the importance of learning lessons from claims and inquests and feeding back information to relevant departments; Ability to deal with highly confidential and emotionally distressing issues; Ability to work in a challenging, busy environment while meeting tight deadlines.
* Desirable: Ability to interpret and analyse data for reports; Ability to read and assimilate complex medical records using analytical skills.
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