Deputy Head of Legal Services - Inquests

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country, operating at four hospitals: John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, and Horton General Hospital.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Head of Legal Services, manage the Legal Services Department and Subject Access Request Team, and directly line‑manage Claims and Inquest Officers, providing accountable leadership.
• Provide cross‑cover for the duties of the Deputy Head of Legal Services – Claims, as required.
• Act as a role model and provide positive, professional and accountable leadership to the legal team.
• Conduct a portfolio of complex coroner's inquests independently; act as legal advocate in court; liaise with coroners; instruct external legal representation; prepare responses to Regulation 28 reports to ensure compliance and organisational learning.
• Identify and escalade patient safety risks from claims or inquests, and provide non‑clinical information to patients and relatives about legal claims and inquest processes.
• Advise on clinical and non‑clinical policies; assist in legal training development and delivery for staff; research legal developments; lead inquest case management meetings; support continuous professional development.
• Provide expert legal advice on healthcare law including patient consent, capacity, confidentiality, safeguarding, and regulatory matters; brief senior management on sensitive legal issues with potential operational or reputational impact.
• Liaise with safeguarding leads on care proceedings; provide advice on disclosure and statements; support staff giving evidence in family courts; advise on complex legal issues related to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• Deputise in managing police requests for healthcare records and statements; ensure compliance with GDPR and confidentiality; liaise with police and security; advise on legal actions to protect patients and staff during violent or threatening incidents.
• Assist in preparing claims reports; manage inquest data audits; attend committees; support complaint and incident report reviews; develop operational procedures for efficient inquest management.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, Legal Executive, or Barrister admitted to practice in England and Wales, with relevant post‑qualification experience.
• Degree level education with the LPC or equivalent qualification.
• Significant specialist work experience in inquest management within an NHS Trust or similar environment.
• Significant leadership experience, with excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences and establish credibility quickly.
• Ability to analyse and process highly complex facts and information in respect to clinical negligence claims and devise appropriate management strategies.
• Previous experience working in health and social care law, beyond the essential NHS claims and inquest management background.
• Experience working in a public sector, legal, or insurance environment, especially at a senior level in a large, complex, and dynamic organisation.
• Demonstrated experience in staff management, training, teaching, setting objectives, and performance management, including holding people to account.
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, and other associated general advice matters.