Lawyer - Programme Legal Advice Lawyer - Programme Legal Advice

We're recruiting a Programme Legal Advice Lawyer to join our Programme Legal Advice team, based in London. The team has a hybrid work pattern with two days in the office (Wednesday and Thursday) and three working from home.

We advise journalists and programme makers working on a wide range of programmes and other content from news and current affairs to drama and entertainment. You will be part of a small team of lawyers that supports programmes like Crimewatch, Newsnight and Have I Got News For You in getting to air.

The BBC Legal Division is responsible for providing legal advice and assistance across the BBC and for developing and implementing the BBC's legal strategy. The Legal Division is led by the BBC's General Counsel. It is made up of the following departments: General Counsel's Office, Information Rights, Intellectual Property, Employment, Litigation, Programme Legal Advice, Commercial and Engineering and Competition and Regulatory Law.

Our overall structure is similar to that found in private practice firms and we provide advice and support on a wide range of diverse matters. Whilst this means the work can be challenging and fast-paced at times, we are open to discussing agile ways of working to support our staff, where appropriate and in line with our flexible working policies., As a Programme Legal Advice Lawyer reporting to the Head of Programme Legal Advice, you will provide pre-transmission legal advice (with support as needed), on defamation, contempt, privacy and other aspects of media law to journalists and content producers on TV, radio and online and will also advise management on legal risks associated with their output.

After gaining suitable experience, you will also participate in the provision of advice to news programmes 24/7. This will involve being on call out of office hours. In addition, you'll deliver legal training to BBC journalists and producers to develop their understanding of the BBC's legal liabilities in programme making areas. This role would suit qualified lawyers up to 3 years PQE.

Are you the right candidate?

To be successful in this role, you will need some experience of defamation, contempt, privacy and associated issues and ideally have experience of dealing with journalists and/or programme makers, including providing pre-publication advice. This may be through working in a recognised law firm or specialist in-house team although we will also consider qualified lawyers who can otherwise demonstrate a knowledge of and keen interest in media law.

You will be comfortable providing advice on the above areas of law and presenting legal talks and seminars. You will also possess sound judgment, strong analytical skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines, often under pressure.

In addition, you will be a good communicator, with experience of building relationships across a range of people and within a team. You'll have excellent written and oral communication skills and experience of advising clients directly, in person, on the telephone and in writing. Knowledge of the structure, objectives and values of the BBC and broadcasting issues generally is desirable. Experience of undertaking legal research is essential.

Salary: £65,000 to £75,000pa, depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

We're happy to discuss flexible working. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

• Excellent career progression - the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.


• Unrivalled training and development opportunities - our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.


• Benefits - We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days annual leave (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.


Why the BBC?

There is no other organisation like the BBC.

As the world's largest and longest-standing public service broadcaster, we have a unique role that informs culture and democracy in the UK and overseas.

Attracting and retaining the very best talent is at the heart of delivering for our audiences. We are looking for people who are excited to help us build a culture that is creative, inclusive and full of opportunity, regardless of gender, disability, gender reassignment, race, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, marital or civil partnership, age, religion or belief.