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Job summary

Main area
Human resources
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8b
Contract
12 months (Fixed term contract)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
333-C-HQ-2088
Employer
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Trust HQ
Town
London
Salary
£75,328 - £86,114 per annum inc. HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
01/07/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Employment Lawyer

NHS AfC: Band 8b

 

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond.  We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run. 

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation.  We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.  We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles.  For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our   Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Job overview

We are seeking to recruit an experienced qualified lawyer in the field of employment law, to join our People and Culture directorate following the transformation of the People Partnering team.

The ideal candidate must have good communication skills, excellent knowledge of employment law and a confident approach to work, the ability to prioritise and to be able to work well with a team.

Main duties of the job

Advising and supporting the trust in respect of employment law caseload. Managing a varied caseload of employment claims on behalf of CNWL.  The postholder will be expected to keep up to date on changes in law and practice and develop policies and procedures within the Trust to ensure compliance and wider knowledge.

They will Identify learning opportunities that arises from claims or other findings in courts; persuade, motivate and influence senior professionals to use these opportunities to develop and improve practice where necessary.

The post holder will be expected to build strong relationships quickly and to be able to work at pace and will undertake the case management of a range of employment law matters from the initial advice request to the issue of the ET claim to settlement or trial.

Working for our organisation

There's a place for you at CNWL, we are passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patient's own home.

Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people. We're always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee we're hoping to find our future leaders and we'll support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career. 

 With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more - whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please review the attached Job description for more information 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide professional legal advice and representation on behalf of the Trust on issues, processes, legal claims/concerns/disputes/risk management, policy and procedures.

• To represent the Trust in formal negotiations, legal proceedings, at courts, tribunals, or other venues, undertaking advocacy where appropriate.

• To take and maintain detailed and accurate notes of meetings, such as court hearings, witness meetings, tribunals, case conferences and other key activities as appropriate.

• To draft advice and formal legal documentation, such as formal legal correspondence witness statements, instructions to counsel and experts, agreements, contractual documentation, court documents and forms, or policies.

•  To work autonomously with responsibility for the day to day management of their own case load.

•  To work with the trust legal case and document management systems and processes, to securely create, store and share documents, to enter and maintain key information.

  •  Collaborate with the Corporate Governance department and others and contribute to the legal database.
  • Provide in-house legal advice, training and support across the departments.
  • Provide representation or support external insurer/panel firms in the conduct of ET claims).
  • Initial review of FOI/SARS for disclosure.
  • To assist the Asst Director of People Partnering in ensuring that all new ET claims are reviewed, that they provide sufficient information relating to the claims in accordance with the relevant Policies and that a file is created. Liaise with the Claimant’s solicitors to obtain sufficient information to ensure compliance.
  • To identify any claims where there is a litigation risk and reporting these claims to the trust.
  • Support with the management of complex and/or contentious cases by ensuring that all evidence is requested and obtained in a timely manner, escalating cases where responses are not forthcoming.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Law degree & Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (or equivalent)
  • Relevant Legal Knowledge
Desirable criteria
  • A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx
  • NHS/public sector background

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Substantial relevant post qualification experience in relevant employment law as specified in the role profile i.e. litigation gained through practice.
  • Extensive experience in drafting documents
  • An excellent understanding of Equal Opportunities and Valuing Diversity
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of current NHS terms and conditions
  • Knowledge and understanding of key issues within the NHS and/or other public sector organizations
  • Extensive experience of reviewing large numbers of documents
  • Defendant litigation/ experience in employment law
  • Experience of making presentations to legal staff

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDWe are a Living Wage EmployerEmployers for CarersPurple SpaceHealthy Workplace - Excellence 2018Veteran AwareNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeNational Autistic SocietyDisability confident committedStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.AccessAbleStonewall Gold 2022Step into healthCarer Confident -AccomplishedNHS Rainbow Badge - BronzeArmed Forces CovenantStonewall Gold 2024Working Chance - unlocking women's potentialProud Employer

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Adewunmi Ilori
Job title
AD of People Partnering and People Relations
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07921284825

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Argo House 180 Kilburn Park Road
London
NW6 5FA
Telephone
02076852922
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