Advisory Lawyer (Grade 7)

Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 22.5 hours per week

We are recruiting an Advisory Lawyer to join an expanding team. Following Dame Judith Hackitts Building a Safer Future Report, the Building Safety Act 2022 created the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), alongside new powers and responsibilities. There are two main operational areas within BSR legal team. The regulation of Higher Risk Buildings and the regulation of the Building Control Profession. BSR is also the Building Control Authority for Higher Risk Buildings. These areas require legal advice and assistance to support decision making and formal legal action in courts and tribunals, including prosecution for non-compliance with regulatory standards and in relation to incidents.

The work of the BSR legal team is wide ranging, interesting and challenging. It encompasses criminal and civil proceedings, appeals against civil sanctions in the context of regulation of the building control profession, and supporting BSRs role as a statutory consultee in planning applications and Inquiries.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) became an Arm's Length Body (ALB) of Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) on 1st June 2026.

The BSR is a Non-crown, Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), and as such its employees are Public Servants, rather than Civil Servants.

All employees will have access to:

• The Civil Service Pension Scheme.
• Civil Service Jobs and the ability to apply for roles advertised Across Government.
• The entitlement to compensation being calculated in line with the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.

Existing Civil Servants transferring into BSR will have their continuity of Service recognised for the purposes of sick pay and annual leave entitlement. However, if they later move to another Civil Service department, continuity of service may not automatically be recognised by the receiving department.

This would be subject to that departments own policies and arrangements.

This role predominantly involves the provision of risk based legal advice on policies and the interpretation of legislation relating to the safety of buildings. The legal issues the BSR legal team encounters are often complex, wide ranging and novel and our advisory lawyer will work closely with policy officials to assist them in making proper and lawful decisions, in accordance with public law principles, whilst at all times considering legal risk and anticipating legal challenges.

We are looking for a highly capable qualified lawyer to join our supportive team, where we can offer a challenging and exciting career.

Key Responsibilities;

• Provide high quality legal advice on a broad range of issues relating to the BSRs statutory functions, ensuring advice is clear, practical risk-based and legally robust;
• Identify, assess and communicate legal risk, providing clear, pragmatic advice that enables informed decision-making while supporting the BSRs strategic objectives;
• Support the development and implementation of regulatory policy, advising on the implications of new initiatives, operational approaches and legislative reform to ensure compliance with statutory duties and wider organisational objectives;
• Build effective relationships with colleagues within BSR as well as external partners including other regulators and Government;
• Contribute to development of the legal function, promoting continuous improvement and helping embed the law and high professional standards across the organisation.

Essential Skills & Criteria

• Sound experience of providing risk based public law advice in a regulatory context, demonstrating capability in statutory interpretation, reliable legal judgement and appreciation of risk.
• An ability to communicate both in writing and orally in a clear, effective and influential manner.
• The ability to think strategically and creatively, appreciating legal issues in their wider context and advising accordingly.
• Sound analytical skills, using secure legal research to produce timely and fit for purpose advice.
• To build, maintain and manage relationships with internal clients.
• An ability to quickly assimilate new areas of law with a keen interest in expanding your legal knowledge and skills.

Hybrid Working

At BSR, we are proud to be able to offer our people the opportunity to work in a hybrid way which combines working from home and the office. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement, and your allocated office will be your contractual place of work.

There will be a requirement to travel to the office for various activities, e.g., collaborative working, supporting and training colleagues. If hybrid working is suitable for you and your role, you will be expected to attend the office, or other business-related site, for 60% of your working week. The arrangements will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.

Therefore, we would encourage candidates to consider if the commute from home to the office is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. Please note that if you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post. Occasional overnight stays may be required.