Role Summary

The Band 8b Senior Solicitor is a senior member of the Trust’s Legal Services team, responsible for delivering expert, strategic and highly specialised legal advice across the organisation. The postholder will independently manage the Trust’s most complex, sensitive and high-risk legal matters, provide leadership within the legal function, and support the Trust Board, Executive Team, Clinical Directors and senior managers in meeting statutory, regulatory and governance responsibilities.
The role requires advanced expertise in healthcare law, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to influence at organisational level.
Qualifications & Registration*Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with current practicing certificate.
*Significant post-qualification experience (typically 7+ years) in health, public law, regulatory, employment or complex litigation.
*Additional specialist training (e.g., Mental Health Law, Coroner’s Court, Human Rights) desirable.
Knowledge & Experience*Senior-level experience advising on high-risk, complex legal issues in a healthcare or public sector environment.
*Proven experience handling inquests (including Article 2), Court of Protection cases, serious incidents and complex medico-legal matters.
*Experience advising at Board/Executive level with demonstrable influence on organisational policy and strategy.
*Experience supervising and guiding legal or multidisciplinary teams.
Skills & Competencies*Highly developed analytical, problem-solving and negotiation skills.
*Exceptional communication skills, capable of advising senior leaders with clarity and authority.
*Strong leadership, coaching and conflict-resolution skills.
*Ability to manage multiple complex cases under significant pressure.
*Political awareness and ability to navigate complex organisational systems.
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Key Responsibilities1. Strategic Legal Leadership*Provide authoritative legal advice to the Board, Executive Team, senior managers and clinical leadership on a wide range of high-risk legal matters.
*Act as a senior legal specialist on areas such as: Clinical Law, Court of Protection, Mental Health Act, Human Rights Act, Inquests, Information Law, Public Law, Safeguarding, and high-value contract disputes.
*Contribute to organisational strategy, advising on legal implications of service redesign, major incidents, system transformation and partnership arrangements (ICS/ICB).
2. Complex Casework & Risk Management*Lead on the Trust’s most complex, contentious or high-profile cases, including:
*Serious inquests (Article 2, jury inquests)
*Court of Protection proceedings
*Complex consent, capacity or safeguarding disputes
*High-risk mental health interventions
*Claims management in partnership with NHS Resolution.
*Provide robust legal risk assessments and support directors in making defensible decisions.
*Ensure legal advice supports patient safety, defensible governance and organisational learning.
3. Representation & Advocacy*Represent or support the Trust at inquests, court hearings, tribunals, regulatory investigations, and multi-agency panels.
*Draft and approve high-level legal documentation, witness statements, submissions and Board/Committee reports.
*Brief and instruct external counsel or solicitors where cases require specialist input.
4. Governance, Compliance & Policy Development*Lead legal oversight for compliance with key legislation, including:
*Mental Health Act/Mental Capacity Act
*Human Rights Act
*Data Protection Act/GDPR
*Safeguarding frameworks
*NHS statutory duties and governance requirements.
*Advise on the development of Trust-wide policies, frameworks and standard operating procedures.
*Provide legal review of contracts, partnership agreements, and high-value procurements.