Dispute Resolution Lawyer (Permanent)

An exciting opportunity to work as part of the in-house legal advisory team. The post-holder will provide accurate and timely legal advice to the General Dental Council on a wide variety of legal issues, including fitness to practise matters, illegal practice cases and registration appeals.

Key Responsibilities:

• 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.
• Manage a mixed caseload, seeking advice and input from internal and external legal colleagues as required, and work with others in the team to support larger projects.
• Advise operational teams on legal issues that arise in particular cases, identifying options and setting out the relevant risks and benefits.
• Advise on proposed policy, process, and guidance changes, identifying potential risks and mitigations.
• Support senior colleagues, including the Registrar, to make statutory decisions by undertaking risk assessments and escalating matters for decision as appropriate.
• 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).
• Manage straightforward litigation cases involving the GDC, and provide support on complex and high-risk litigation.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 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.
• 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.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and knowledge sharing.
• Adherence and promotion of GDC's policies and statutory obligations regarding data protection, equality and diversity, health and safety, and employment.
• Demonstrable commitment to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.

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.

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:

• 27 days' holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) - rising to 30 days (plus 8 bank holidays) after 2 years service
• Employer 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.

Please note that we reserve the right to bring this recruitment campaign to an end without notice, and we encourage all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.