Capsticks is a leading provider of legal services to
the health, social care, housing and emergency services sectors, as
well as in the field of professional discipline. The firm has a
turnover of c£47m and around 550 staff - including 400 fee earners -
across 5 offices nationally. We act for a wide range of long
standing clients in both the public and private sector, including
all forms of NHS organisations, governmental and regulatory bodies,
registered providers, insurers, police, fire and rescue services,
independent health and social care providers, charities and GP practices.
Further details about the firm and the type of work
carried out can be found on our website at www.capsticks.com.
The Role
Our professional discipline team is ranked in the
top-tier by the legal directories and is one of the largest in the
country. We act for a significant number of regulatory bodies,
primarily in the health sector but, increasingly, more widely across
a number of professional disciplines. We are now seeking ambitious
individuals to join either our Winchester, Birmingham or Leeds
office to help us build and develop our practice
The work requires managing an investigatory caseload
where it is alleged that the registrant's fitness to practise is
impaired through misconduct, competence or health issues and
preparing those cases for hearings before panels and committees of
the relevant regulators. The work is varied, challenging and
rewarding and the cases cover everything from large-scale fraud or
multi-patient clinical failings through to inappropriate sexualised
behaviour.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Our solicitors carry out the day-to-day conduct of the
regulator's cases under the supervision of a partner and with the
assistance of a paralegal. In summary, solicitor caseholders:
Prepare the case plan at the outset of the case;
Prepare advice on procedural or evidential issues;
Correspond with the defence;
Ensure that all factual evidence required to prove
the allegations is obtained;
Are the key point of contact for all witnesses;
Interview key witnesses in complex cases or if the
witness deals with novel or sensitive issues or is a vulnerable witness;
Supervise witness statements taken by paralegals;
Instruct experts and identify if any amendments are
necessary to the expert report;
Prepare instructions to counsel (both our internal
advocates and the external bar);
Attend conferences with counsel;
Ensure that all action points following the
conference are completed;
Either draft the charge or review the draft charge
against the evidence if drafted by counsel;
Carry out disclosure of unused material;
Liaise with the defence in the run up to the hearing;
Supervise the preparation of the hearing bundle by
the paralegal;
Attend hearing at outset only, unless there are legal
issues or problems with the case;
Seek instructions from the client on any issues that
arise in the course of the hearing;
Prepare final reports at the conclusion of a case; and
Present cases to Practice Committees/Interim Orders Committees.
This list is not exhaustive and there may be other
duties as reasonably required.
Capsticks is committed to recruiting the best people to
maintain its status as legal adviser of choice and, whilst previous
experience in the field of regulation and professional discipline is
strongly preferred, it is not essential.Candidates will however be
expected to be able to demonstrate at interview that they are
self-motivated and commercially minded, as well as having good
interpersonal skills and being able to work effectively in teams.
Capsticks is an equal opportunities employer
Capsticks is committed to providing equal opportunities
for all and to encouraging diversity through
recruitment.Applications are welcome from all sections of the
community and decisions to progress will be made with reference to
entirely objective criteria only.
Capsticks is an agile firm and is open to conversations
about flexible working.
In 2020 Capsticks achieved a 1 star accreditation from
Best Companies, the specialists whose recognition programme is the
standard for workplace engagement. The Best Companies accreditation
is really important to Capsticks as it focuses on the trust and
value we place in our people, their wellbeing and their careers.
