Solicitor

JOB DESCRIPTION  

Job title: Professional Discipline Solicitor/Barrister/Legal Executive        

Job purpose: The purpose of the role is to provide best advice and representation to the organisation’s members. Also, to manage a caseload, of GOC cases and NHSE cases and general enquiries from the outset to the conclusion.

Reports to: Head of Professional Discipline

Directorate: Legal and Regulatory

This directorate assists, defends and represents members in a variety of forums including but not limited to the GOC, NHSE and High Court proceedings. 

Duties and key responsibilities

Legal

• Provide support, assistance and representation to members in respect of regulatory issues and proceedings including most commonly investigations before the General Optical Council and NHS Performers List matters.
• Manage a substantial and varied caseload of professional discipline and regulation matters including the performance of all associated tasks including, but not limited to, corresponding with various parties, drafting appropriate documents, providing appropriate and accurate legal advice and instructing expert witnesses and counsel.
• Attend, and if required, advocate on behalf of members at meetings and hearings that arise during the course of GOC, NHS and University proceedings.  
• Assist in the monitoring of and responding to queries received via the Legal Rota and LiveChat on a regular basis.

Outside Legal

• Share knowledge with the Professional Discipline team and wider organisation where appropriate.
• Assist with the development of educational material both for members and internal staff including working with other teams across the AOP to author articles, deliver presentations and lectures and contribute to website content.

General responsibilities  

• Be proactive in your personal and professional development and keeping up to date with the organisation’s activities and strategy.
• Operate within appropriate policies, codes of conduct and work collaboratively with staff across the organisation.
• Contribute to team meetings and organisational priorities, strategic goals and Performance targets.
• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned within the broad remit of the post.

Personal Specification  

The post holder should have:

Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or legal executive with a current Practising Certificate or equivalent.
• Experience of working in regulation, and in particular healthcare regulation, is desirable.
• Knowledge of current legal and regulatory legislation and authorities regarding healthcare regulation is desirable.

Skills and abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt communication style as appropriate.
• Ability to draft clear, concise and effective case specific documents.
• Ability to identify and analyse legal issues and deliver appropriate and comprehensive advice.
• Ability to effectively plan and manage a complex workload, meet deadlines and prioritise tasks appropriately.
• Strong IT skills with the ability to understand and utilize case management systems and Microsoft Office products.

Personal attributes and other requirements:

• Committed to delivering a high-quality service with good attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, ability to juggle priorities and work both alone and in a team.
• Willingness to contribute to wider activities and tasks across the organisation.
• Enjoy working in a team, and motivated by new opportunities.  

To Apply, please submit your CV & Cover Letter via the email application below the listing.