Deputy Head of Legal Services
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Bournemouth, M1 4BT |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Posting date: | 17 Aug 2026 |
| Closing date: | 16 Sept 2026 |
Summary
Your new company
A large and complex healthcare organisation is seeking an experienced legal professional to join its Clinical Legal Services team on an interim basis. This organisation delivers vital healthcare services and requires specialist legal support across claims, inquests, healthcare law, and risk management matters.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced healthcare lawyer or legal services professional to take on a varied and highly visible role, working closely with senior clinical and executive stakeholders while providing expert legal guidance on sensitive and complex matters. This role is offered on a 3-6 month interim assignment.
Your new role
As Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services, you will support the Head of Clinical Legal Services in the day-to-day management of the organisation's claims and inquest portfolio.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing a caseload of inquests from receipt to conclusion.
- Representing the organisation as an Interested Person at Coroner's Court hearings.
- Providing healthcare law advice on matters including consent, capacity, best interests, and patient care issues.
- Managing non-clinical claims and supporting the management of clinical negligence claims.
- Preparing witnesses for court attendance and supporting staff throughout legal proceedings.
- Drafting and reviewing witness statements.
- Liaising with instructed solicitors, external legal representatives, claims bodies, and other stakeholders.
- Supporting clinical teams through complex legal matters and investigations.
- Analysing claims and inquest trends and presenting findings to senior stakeholders.
- Deputising for the Head of Clinical Legal Services, including operational leadership
What you'll need to succeed
To be successful in this role, you will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or possess equivalent legal qualifications, with a minimum of 3 years' experience in healthcare law.
You will also demonstrate:
- Proven experience managing claims, inquests, and healthcare law matters within the healthcare sector.
- Experience representing clients in court or contentious legal proceedings.
- Strong knowledge of healthcare law, including consent, capacity, Mental Capacity Act, and best interests issues.
- Ability to manage sensitive and often emotionally challenging situations with professionalism and empathy.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while managing a complex caseload.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience would be advantageous.
- Exposure to Court of Protection matters and mediation would be beneficial.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now on 0161 228 7770.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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