Vacancy Detail

Solicitor - Band 7 - Litigation and Medical Negligence (Multiple Posts)

Laura-Lee is currently recruiting for 4 full time Solicitors at Band 7 with a focus on Litigation and Medical Negligence for our Public Sector client.

1. Duties will include a mix of the following:-

a) Investigate and assess clients legal liability (including both negligence and causation) in respect of individual claims. This involves gathering and considering relevant information (including detailed confidential documentation such as medical and personnel records), taking detailed statements from staff, instructing expert opinions in a range of (medical) specialisms and use of professional judgement by the job holder. This allows for the accurate assessment of legal liability and for recommendations to be made to clients regarding practical and cost effective solutions which they may choose to follow, the best possible outcome for clients resulting in savings for the public purse.

b) Give timely legal advice and opinions to clients in respect of their statutory responsibilities pursuant to child care law and adoption law. In particular the need to act proportionately and fairly, in recognition of balancing rights and freedoms. This includes the gathering and consideration of relevant instructions and evidence, to evaluate same and consider if the necessary legal criteria can be established, and further to assist clients with case management and planning both for legal intervention, if necessary and/or engagement with the family. To review statements, to collate discoverable documentation, to review assessments of risk; to consider past, current and proposed assessments to endeavour to abate such risks; and to consider care plan arrangements for children. Further, when necessary, to liaise with clients in respect of issues for experts to consider, and to then draft a letter of instruction, if possible on a joint basis and seek the leave of the Court, if necessary for such an appointment and further for examination or assessment of children or their family. To at all times assist clients to comply with their statutory obligations pursuant to recognised Court standards of good practice.

c) Investigate Title deeds and other related documents of title in the preparation of contracts for the sale and or lease of property. To prepare and reply to pre contract enquiries and other requisitions of title in all land transactions for clients. To discharge all responsibilities in respect of proceeds of sale. To attend, when necessary at public auctions to ensure all queries in respect of title can be immediately clarified. To consider issues in respect of easements, rights of way, and other impediments upon title. To correspond and communicate in respect of general practitioner loans and charges upon surgery properties. To liaise with Registry of Deeds and Land Registry Offices, and carry out appropriate searches to ensure good title. To liaise with purchaser and or vendor’s Solicitors and or agents in a prompt and professional manner so as to ensure the efficient completion of all conveyancing and leasing transactions. To include all responsibilities in respect of proceeds of sale or lease.

d) Action clients’ instructions in relation to the pursuit or defence of claims and possible settlement. This involves taking witness statements, instructing and assessing expert opinion, and other relevant evidence, drafting pleadings and other Court documentation, preparing support documentation in the form of productions for Court, Tribunal or other proceedings, appearance on behalf of clients in the capacity of instructed Solicitor, researching the law, and either appearing personally to present evidence and legal arguments to the Court, or other judicial body, or instructing Counsel to do so, all to ensure that the interests of clients and public funds are adequately protected.

e) Provide timely legal advice frequently in complex situations both in writing and in person in relation to specific claims and situations and specific areas of law.

f) Ensure that a high quality of legal service is delivered to clients by planning and organising the schedule of his/her own work in accordance with the operational requirements of their own and their Teams’ allocated client base in co-operation with the Assistant Chief Legal Adviser, and other Team members and with colleagues in relation to general or specialist group work, using his/her initiative, professional skills and organisational acumen.

g) Will, as required, complete sufficient training and self development to meet the requirements laid down by the Law Society in terms of Continuous Professional Development.

h) As an Officer of the Court will have a direct individual professional obligation to the Courts. The job holder also has direct individual professional responsibility and accountability to the Law Society.

i) Work in close association with Solicitors and support staff within DLS, sharing information and experience and participating in the development of the various sections to enable the Directorate to enhance its expertise and meet present and future demands and expectations of clients in the most efficient and effective way.

j) Provide clients on a regular basis and as requested with accurate legal risk rating assessments in respect of their claims portfolios and estimates of projected settlement and expense values to support clients in the preparation of their annual financial performance budgets.

Criteria:

Essential

• Qualified solicitor or a barrister with either private practice or in-house experience, with demonstrable ability to be an effective in-house lawyer in a public sector environment, at either Legal Adviser or Senior Legal Adviser level

• Experience of litigation and/or medical negligence

• Experience of providing high calibre legal advice relevant to the core areas of work and ability to advise on wider areas

• Ability to look at problems with a pragmatic and commercial as well as legally robust perspective

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport quickly and a track record of working collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

For a full job description and for more information please contact Laura-Lee on 02890511480 or email specialist@keenanhealthcare.co.uk

Keenan Healthcare Limited is an equal opportunity employer, acting as an Employment Business on behalf of our Clients for temporary work and an Employment Agency for providing permanent employment with our Clients.

Keenan Healthcare is proudly a Corporate Member of REC - 10638 (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) adhering to all current employment legislation.

Location: Belfast | Salary: 16.82 per | Job type: | Posted: 20/11/2019