Advisory Lawyer in London

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. 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.

Job Purpose

To 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. Depending on which part of the team the postholder is based in, you will also conduct a mixed caseload including complex matters of the Council's illegal practice prosecution cases, registration appeal and restoration cases, presenting cases in a timely and cost‑effective manner.

Areas of Responsibility

• To advise operational teams on legal issues that arise in 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 provide support on complex and high‑risk litigation.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Ability to work autonomously within a team, in a demanding environment, to meet deadlines whilst maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to form good working relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Strong ICT skills (including the use of case management systems).
• 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.
• Ability to delegate work where appropriate to do so and to supervise and develop more junior team members.
• Demonstrable commitment to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

27 days' holiday (plus 8)