The General Dental Council (GDC) have an exciting opportunity to join our in-house legal advisory team as an Advisory Lawyer on a full-time, fixed-term contract for 18 months (with potential to extend to 2 years). This role is Hybrid (2 days per week spent working from the GDC s office in central London)., The Advisory Lawyer will provide timely, accurate and pragmatic risk-based legal advice to colleagues across the organisation, on a wide range of issues, including but not limited to interpretation and application of the Dentists Act 1984 and supporting legislation. To manage a mixed caseload, seeking advice and input from internal and external legal colleagues as required, and to work with others in the team to support larger projects.
Areas of Responsibility:
+ To advise operational teams on legal issues that arise on particular cases, identifying options and setting out the relevant risks and benefits.
+ To advise on proposed policy, process, and guidance changes, identifying potential risks and mitigations.
+ To support senior colleagues, including the Registrar, to make statutory decisions by undertaking risk assessments and escalating matters for decision as appropriate.
+ To build relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation, to support early engagement and collaborative ways of working.
+ To identify opportunities for continuous improvement and deliver training to colleagues on recurring themes or legal developments, to support other teams and reduce reliance on legal support (where appropriate).
+ To work flexibly to support the GDC, supporting others in the team to respond to changing priorities.
+ To manage straightforward litigation cases involving the GDC, and support on complex and high-risk litigation.

+ Significant experience in one or more of the following areas of law: public law; information law; commercial law; criminal law; regulatory/ professional discipline; employment law.
+ A practising solicitor, barrister, ILEX qualified or foreign qualified equivalent.
+ Demonstrable working knowledge and experience of professional regulation, public law issues, and the principles and procedures of criminal and/or civil litigation together with professional regulatory law.
+ Ability to handle a caseload of complex matters and manage competing priorities effectively.
+ Strong legal analytical skills and judgement, with the ability to analyse complex issues and present legally sound and focused advice, and conduct thorough, proportionate, and substantiated risk assessments.

Our primary purpose is to protect patient safety and maintain public confidence in dental services. To achieve this, we register qualified dental professionals, set standards for the dental team, investigate complaints about dental professionals' fitness to practise, and work to ensure the quality of dental education.

The GDC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, that provides an environment that reflects our values and culture and allows employees to flourish.
To support this we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, including flexible working arrangements from day one and employee networks that aid growth and development.
Some of our benefits include:
+ 27 days holiday (plus statutory) - rising to 30 days after 2 years service
+ Pension contributions up to 10%
+ Buy/Sell annual leave
+ Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave from 1 years service.
+ Life assurance, income protection plan and enhanced sick leave policy
+ Staff discounts including eye care contributions and discounted gym membership.
+ We encourage and support the recruitment, retention, and career development of people from as wide a range as possible of ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds.