Solicitor Band 7

Job Description

Job Role: - Solicitor (Band 7)The Solicitor will assist in the provision of legal services to a range of clients within the Health and Social Care Sector. The post holder will provide these services in accordance with the standards established by the Chief Legal Adviser and the BSO’sService Level Agreements with its clients. The Solicitor will carry out these duties under the supervision of an Assistant Chief Legal Adviser who will allocate their caseload. They will also carry out legal research as and when required by the Assistant ChiefLegal Adviser.Job Type: 6 MonthsLocation: – BelfastHours of Work: – Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (37.5 hours per week)Salary: - £21.31 Per hourKEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES• 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 personnelrecords), taking detailed statements from HSC staff, instructing expert opinions in a range of (medical) specialisms scheduling site inspections as required and use of negotiation skills and professional judgment by the job holder. This allows for the accurateassessment of legal liability and for recommendations to be made to clients regarding practical and cost-effective solutions which they may choose to follow, to achieve the best possible outcome for clients resulting in savings for the public purse.• Give timely legal advice and opinions to clients in respect of their statutory responsibilities pursuant to childcare law and adoption law. In particular the need to act proportionately and fairly, in recognition of balancing rights and freedoms. Thisincludes 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, ifnecessary 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 arrangementsfor 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 furtherfor examination or assessment of children or their family. To assist clients at all times to comply with their statutory obligations pursuant to recognised Court standards of good practice.• Investigate title deeds and other related documents of title in the preparation of contracts for the sale and or lease of HSC, Board, Trust, or Agency property. To prepare and reply to pre-contract enquiries and other requisitions of title in all landtransactions for HSC 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 ensuregood title. To liaise with purchaser and or vendor’s Solicitors and or agents in a prompt and professional manner to ensure the efficient completion of all conveyancing and leasing transactions. To include all responsibilities in respect of proceeds of saleor lease.• 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 legalarguments 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.•To provide legal advice on contracting issues/drafting and the risks of litigation including reviewing documentation, taking instructions, researching the law, and providing written and oral legal advice. Dealing with litigation in this area including theinstruction of experts and Counsel, drafting pleadings and correspondence, attending Court, and complying with the Commercial Court Protocol.•To provide legal advice and representation on public law matters such as Judicial Review applications, as well as on matters relating to Mental Health and Mental Capacity law including attendance at any connected hearings or tribunals.•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. Carry out legal review of draft policies and agreements and contracts on behalf of HSC clientsand in accordance with clients’ instructions.Please note: the post holder may be required by the Chief Legal Adviser to undertake duties in other areas of law to assist the efficient delivery of the service to clients.Essential Experience:Be a Solicitor eligible to practise in Northern Ireland at the time of application.The post holder may be required to travel throughout Northern Ireland and, on occasions, within the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and elsewhere.The successful candidate must hold a full current driving licence (valid in the UK) and have access to a car at the closing date or have *access to a form of transport which will permit the applicant to carry out the duties of the post in full. (*this relatesonly to any person who has declared that they have a disability, which debars them from driving).To discuss this fantastic opportunity or any of the other various roles we have within MPA, please contact Chris O’Neill on or email your CV for a confidential chat on #J-18808-Ljbffr