Solicitor or Barrister – Inquests
London | Hybrid Working | £62,000–£85,000 plus Benefits
Our client is looking to recruit a solicitor or barrister to its highly regarded healthcare team in London.
Leading healthcare team looking for Associate or Senior Associate to focus on Inquest work
This is an excellent opportunity to develop a specialist inquests practice within a leading national team, representing NHS bodies, independent healthcare providers and other public-sector organisations in complex, sensitive and often high-profile proceedings.
A busy advocacy-led practice
You will manage a primarily inquests-focused caseload and undertake your own advocacy, including representation at in-person jury inquests.
The work includes complex matters arising from deaths in healthcare, mental-health and custodial settings. Cases frequently engage Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, involve juries and require hearings lasting one or two weeks or longer.
You will therefore benefit from a regular flow of substantial and interesting advocacy work rather than routinely passing hearings to external counsel.
Your work will include:
- Representing NHS bodies, healthcare providers and public-sector organisations at inquests
- Conducting advocacy at complex and high-profile hearings, including jury inquests
- Advising clients and colleagues on evidence, procedure, case strategy and risk
- Handling matters involving inpatient mental-health deaths, deaths in custody and other sensitive circumstances
- Preparing witnesses and advising on disclosure, duty of candour and internal investigations
- Supporting and mentoring junior members of the team
- Building strong relationships with NHS and other institutional clients
- Delivering training and contributing to business development
- Helping the team develop new services and strengthen its market-leading inquests practice
Depending on your interests, there may also be opportunities to become involved in the wider work of the Healthcare and Public Law team. This can include Court of Protection and inherent-jurisdiction matters, judicial review, mental-health law, patient complaints and other public law and healthcare advisory work.
About you
We are interested in hearing from qualified solicitors and barristers with healthcare inquest and advocacy experience.
As a guide, the role is likely to suit somebody with approximately three or more years’ PQE or call. This is only a guideline, however, and applications are welcomed from candidates whose relevant experience and advocacy skills equip them to perform the role successfully.
Ideally, you will demonstrate:
- Experience of healthcare inquests and related advocacy
- An understanding of the legal and operational issues affecting health and social-care organisations
- Confidence handling complex and sensitive evidence
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Strong client-management and relationship-building skills
- Careful organisation and close attention to detail
- The ability to manage competing deadlines and work proactively
- A collaborative and supportive approach
- A willingness to travel when required
Experience of Court of Protection, inherent-jurisdiction or related healthcare public law work would be beneficial but is not essential.
We are also keen to hear from lawyers whose advocacy experience has been gained in a closely related area. Potentially transferable backgrounds could include criminal or CPS work, public inquiries, regulatory proceedings, prison law, or representing families and individuals at inquests.
Please do not hesitate to contact us or apply for more information.
