Access to legal services

Information on how to access the BVA's legal services

BVA member contacts the legal advice line for initial legal advice.
                                                                     
The legal advice line provides the BVA member with independent legal advice via telephone. The issue is often resolved at this point.
                                                                     
If it becomes clear that telephone advice has been exhausted, the case necessitates written correspondence, both parties have received advice and the issue remains, or the complexity is such that the analysis of documentation becomes necessary, the legal advice line will consider a referral to the British Dental Association (BDA) - who are providing mediation and representation services on behalf of the BVA.
                                                                 
The legal advice line will ask your permission to pass the full details of your case to BVA and mediation/ representation team for approval.
                                                               
The mediation/ representation team will consider the details of your case as provided by the legal advice line and will then contact you directly with confirmation that your case will be taken forward or with clear reasons for your case not being taken forward.
                                                             
If your case is taken forward, the mediation/ representation team will explore the full details of the issue, usually by telephone and post in the first instance. They will ask the right questions and look carefully at the relevant documentation to explore the nature of the problem so that the case can be allocated to the appropriate case officer.
                                                         
Mediation will then be suggested. The mediation team will try to resolve the matter amicably and with a conciliatory tone. They will set out your concerns, explain how those concerns arose and suggest steps that may lead to an amicable resolution.
                                                     
If that does not work, if you are an employee member, the representation team will ensure that your employer understands the consequences of failing to adhere to their responsibilities, and again, suggest an amicable resolution.
                                                
Finally, if there is no alternative, action in an employment tribunal may the only solution. The representation team will represent and support you throughout.