Overview
This is an exciting time to join East Kent University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as we seek to build an entire new legal team. The trust is moving from a heavily outsourced model to an in-house team to embed learning, indirectly improve patient care, support clinical staff well-being (within the team and the wider trust) and reduce expenditure.
The Head of Legal Services is already in post and keen to develop a resilient and successful legal services team. The post holder will deputise for the Head of Legal Services in the management of all aspects of the legal services department and will directly line manage the Claims & Inquest Managers (x2) and the Claims Assistant, with responsibility for their training and development.
Please contact Puja Sharma, Legal Consultant – puja.sharma8@nhs.net to discuss the role. The advert closes on Tuesday 27 Jan 2026.
Responsibilities
Line manage the Claims & Inquest Managers (x2) and the Claims Assistant, and be responsible for their training and development.
Deputise for the Head of Legal Services in the management of all aspects of the legal services department.
Provide professional in-house legal advice to the Trust’s executive, senior management and clinical/non-clinical staff across a range of matters, using own knowledge or obtaining appropriate advice and guidance from internal and external advisers when necessary.
Manage a caseload of inquests, including supporting and preparing witnesses for giving evidence and conducting advocacy in the coroner’s court.
Manage a caseload of clinical claims in accordance with Trust policies and the requirements of NHS Resolution and relevant legislation/regulations.
Foster and maintain external and internal working relationships and assist in the delivery of bespoke internal legal training sessions as required.
Work closely with the quality governance, operational and corporate management teams and staff at all levels in the organisation.
Qualifications / Experience
Experience in managing a legal team and a large caseload.
Advocacy skills to attend court and lead straightforward inquests.
Experience providing in-house legal advice, ideally within a NHS or public sector context.
Ability to build and maintain positive external and internal relationships and to develop staff and training.
About the Trust and Values
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It’s about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day.
How to Apply
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in ‘Documents to download’.
If you have further queries please don’t hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
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