Legal Adviser/Qualified Lawyer
Salary: Depending on experience (plus up to 15% bonus)
Location: Leeds (Hybrid)
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full time or Part time, up to 37.5 hours per week
We have exciting opportunities for a number of Legal Advisers to join our Legal Services team across all levels of post-qualified experience.
Working as part of a professional multidisciplinary team that includes doctors and dentists, our Legal Advisers perform a vital role in ensuring that MPS members receive expert and effective legal representation across a range of matters, which typically involve advising and representing members in fitness to practise proceedings before their regulator (GMC, GDC and NMC), in relation to Inquests, and in NHSE or NHS Trust disciplinary investigations.
As our new Legal Adviser, you will:
- Proactively manage cases from acceptance of instructions to resolution; acting in accordance with any relevant legislation, procedural rules and applicable guidance; complying with internal policies; and applying the principles of justice and equity to ensure fair outcomes for members.
- Manage cases in a cost effective and proportionate way to ensure the best use of the membership fund.
- Keep members informed ensuring the advice is technically accurate, and with outcomes delivered in a professional and empathetic manner.
- Deliver, at all times, fair treatment and outcomes for members in compliance with MPS policies and standards.
Why apply?
- Casework is plentiful and varied, enabling Legal Advisers to select their own cases leading to excellent opportunities for developing breadth and depth of expertise.
- No billing or time recording targets.
- Working with Medicolegal and Dentolegal Consultants in a multidisciplinary team enables a tailored approach to cases that will also help you to develop a deeper understanding of the clinical and practical aspects of healthcare.
- You have support from a Legal Assistant to help manage your cases from start to finish.
- It's not all casework. You will be encouraged (and supported) to look for opportunities to develop and test your skills outside of casework through participation in projects that may involve collaborating with colleagues across the organisation or with external stakeholders.
- Opportunities for development in and outside of the role. Where possible, MPS promotes from within the organisation, which has helped colleagues in our Legal Services team secure leadership roles across the business.
- Great offices (for when not working remotely), which we are upgrading with the ambition of creating an amazing workplace for all MPS colleagues.
We are looking for:
- A practising Solicitor, qualified member of CILEX or barrister with relevant post-qualified experience
- Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience in healthcare regulatory/coronial/disciplinary proceedings.
- Expertise to take a proactive and strategic approach to case management.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, and we encourage you to apply even if you feel you do not match 100% of the technical requirements. We celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity and strive to create a work environment which ensures everyone can be heard.
In return, we can offer you:
- A competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Up to 15% discretionary annual performance related bonus.
- Annual performance-related pay review.
- 11% pension contribution (3% from you, 8% from us - optional additional matched 3% contributions, e.g. 6% from you, 11% from us).
- 25 days annual leave plus flexible bank holidays (option to buy/sell a further 5 days).
- Private Medical Cover.
- Career development and progression opportunities - 22% of our vacancies in 2023 were filled internally
- A truly flexible hybrid-working arrangement
- A culture that promotes inclusivity, wellbeing and rewards hard work.
- Car Salary Sacrifice scheme.
- Healthcare cash plan
- 6x salary death in service
- A personal GP service enabling you to get a video consultation with an NHS-registered private GP.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- A range of shopping discounts from major high-street retailers.
Who We Are
Medical Protection Society (MPS) is the world's leading protection organisation for Doctors, Dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of almost 300,000 Members around the world.
We are a not-for-profit organisation, meaning our membership fund is kept safe for when members require support for complaints or claims arising from professional practice, or invested into bettering the organisation, our colleagues and our products.
Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We also actively campaign for regulatory and legal reforms that benefit Members and the wider healthcare professions.
To do this, we need colleagues who are trusted and supported to deliver their best work, whether that be through leadership development, fully funded training courses or peer-to-peer support. We want our colleagues to feel empowered to deliver positive change, display ambition to push themselves and are determined when faced with a challenge, with the best interests of members at the core.
Next Steps
If you are interested in finding out more, looking for a new role and want to join an organisation that truly values its employees, take a look at the role profile to find out more about the role to apply.
Our Talent Acquisition team are always on hand should you have any questions, are having any technical issues or wish to understand how MPS can support you with your application and interview.