The NSPCC has appointed a new head of legal following the departure of former general counsel Catherine Dixon earlier this year.

Alexis Burnetts has taken up the role with immediate effect. She has been acting head since Dixon left the charity in April 2012.

Burnetts joined the NSPCC in March 2011 from the National Childminding Association, having started her career at Berwin Leighton Paisner.

As head of legal she will look after a team of nine lawyers and support staff. NSPCC director of corporate services David Roberts said: "Alexis is heading a very talented pool of lawyers who will continue to carry out vital work which benefits some of the most vulnerable children in the country.

"Alexis has been acting head of legal since Catherine's departure and has done an excellent job.  Following an internal recruitment process Alexis was appointed and I am sure she will be a great success in her new role."

The news comes after Dixon left the post after two years at the charity to take up the role of chief executive at the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA).

As chief executive Dixon is also responsible for NHSLA's legal arm, which is currently gearing up to launch a review of its legal panel.

The NSPCC appointed its first formal panel of law firms to provide pro bono legal advice in February last year, with Clifford Chance, Baker & McKenzie, Wragge & Co and Walker Morris all named on the roster after 21 firms were invited to pitch.

Weil Gotshal & Manges, DLA Piper and Simmons & Simmons have also since been added to the NSPCC panel between November 2011 and July this year.