Job summary
- Main area
- Legal
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 5
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed Term Cover)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 193-8208750COR
- Employer
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust
- Town
- READING
- Salary
- £32,073 - £39,043 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/08/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Paralegal
NHS AfC: Band 5
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.
We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions
We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate
We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live
We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust. When completing your application, we encourage you to highlight your individual achievements and strengths, showing us how they align with the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools during the process, please be mindful that AI-generated responses can often lack the personal detail and relevance needed to demonstrate your suitability for the role. AI generated content is discouraged by the Trust and may diminish the candidates chances of success.
Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.
Please note: all vacancies automatically close when 50 applications have been received.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a keen, enthusiastic, highly motivated individual to join the in-house Legal Team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The team are passionate about learning lessons from legal claims, inquests and advisory work and supporting staff in the delivery of outstanding healthcare and patient experience.
This role is to assist the in-house team as well as external solicitors in the day to day case management of legal claims, inquests and healthcare legal advice.
The role will involve undertaking day to day management of inquests, clinical and non-clinical claims with appropriate supervision. You should have a minimum one year's experience as a Paralegal specialising in inquests, medical negligence and/or personal injury claims and/or equivalent experience or ILEX qualification or a Law degree.
As an organisation we offer opportunities for training and development, access to the NHS Pension Scheme, NHS discount, as well as access to onsite wellbeing and childcare facilities.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for managing a caseload of Inquests, Police requests, Employer’s Liability and Public Liability Claims and CNST (Clinical Negligence) Claims.
Where necessary provide assistance and support to colleagues in the Legal Services Department, to ensure that contentious Inquests and Claims (including Employer’s Liability, Public Liability, and Clinical Negligence Claims) are managed effectively. The post holder will be expected to liaise with staff at all levels, keeping them informed of claim file developments and ensuring that investigations are undertaken thoroughly and on a timely basis.
The post holder will be expected to work under their own initiative and plan their workload in accordance with the demands of the job
Working for our organisation
Diversity makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.
Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.
If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This is an excellent opportunity to develop specialist skills in healthcare law, supporting the management of a varied caseload of inquests, clinical negligence claims, employer and public liability claims, and police requests.
Working closely with clinicians, managers, NHS Resolution, external solicitors and the Coroner's Office, you will play a key role in investigating claims and inquests, gathering and analysing evidence, preparing documentation, supporting witnesses, and ensuring cases are managed effectively and within required timescales.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of inquests, claims and police requests.
- Review and analyse medical records and other evidence to support investigations.
- Obtain witness statements and liaise with clinical and non-clinical staff.
- Support the preparation and management of Coroner's inquests, including witness support and attendance at hearings.
- Investigate employer and public liability claims and provide recommendations on liability.
- Liaise with NHS Resolution, external solicitors, Coroner's Officers and other stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate case management records and databases.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legal frameworks, NHS Resolution schemes and Trust policies.
- Support the wider Legal Services team with legal and governance matters as required.
About You
The successful candidate will have excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex information. Experience of legal case management, investigations, healthcare, governance or regulatory environments would be advantageous. You will be able to work independently, manage competing priorities and build effective working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to patient safety, organisational learning and legal risk management within a busy NHS Trust environment.
Person specification
Written
Essential criteria
- Good oral and written communication skills. The post holder must also have an excellent grasp of English and be able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels.
Desirable criteria
- The post holder has the ability to communicate with external stakeholders including (but not limited to) the NHSLA, Panel and external solicitors, the Coroner and his officers, members of the public, PFI partners, patients/Claimants and their solicitors, the police.
Written and verbal
Essential criteria
- Law Degree (or equivalent) Interest in Medical Law or Medico-Legal subject matter
- Experience assisting in the management of personal injury claims and/or clinical negligence claims and/or inquests, or related subjects Knowledge of the following guidelines, protocols and statutes: Pre Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims Pre-Action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes Relevant NHSR Reporting Guidelines and requirements
- Good oral and written communication skills. The post holder must also have an excellent grasp of English and be able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels.
Desirable criteria
- Qualification in Medical Law
- Experience of working within the NHS or with/for the NHSR. Practical experience of managing own caseload of Clinical Negligence Claims & Inquests Knowledge of: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and coronial law, DPA, SAR and FOI
- The post holder has the ability to communicate with external stakeholders including (but not limited to) the NHSLA, Panel and external solicitors, the Coroner and his officers, members of the public, PFI partners, patients/Claimants and their solicitors, the police.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Karolyn Baker
- Job title
- Associate Chief Nurse
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07714095235
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