
FDA in the Government Legal Department
FDA represents GLD staff in grades HEO and above
The FDA provides workplace representation, legal assistance, career development and many other benefits to members working in the Government Legal Department (GLD).
We work collaboratively and in partnership to improve the professional and public standing of our GLD members.

Jawad Raza
National Officer
Jawad is the National Officer responsible for the Department for GLD.
What the FDA can do for you

We are there when you need help at work
Whatever your workplace issue, we are here with one-to-one employment advice and representation to help resolve it.

We fight for your pay, pensions and working conditions
We campaign and negotiate with employers on behalf of our members to ensure they have the resources required both to do their jobs and have a life outside the workplace.

We support your career progression
Through our specialised masterclasses, conferences and online training, FDA Learn addresses a wide range of skills to help you progress in your career and maximise your potential.
Join the FDA today
By joining the FDA, you’ll be standing alongside more than 26,000 other members who believe that public services – and the people who deliver them – matter.
Latest news
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Agility of deployment
Tommy Newell speaks to Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government Joe Griffin about leading an organisation through contraction, working with unions to shape change, and the promise of AI to make public services more human.
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FDA Ofsted Branch wins Group Impact Award 2026
This year’s FDA Group Impact Award was presented to the union’s Ofsted Branch. The branch had been nominated for the award in recognition of the work that went into the ‘Beyond the Framework: The people behind inspections’ report and campaign.
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FDA President’s path to the union
Katherine Hutchinson speaks with the FDA’s newly elected President for 2026-2028, Leila Kelly, about her path to the union and what she considers to be the FDA’s biggest challenges during her Presidency.