Melanie has worked for over 17 years as a public law specialist. She has worked in both the public sector (Home Office, Treasury Solicitors Department, professional regulatory body etc.) and in the private sector (she is formerly of the Public Law Groups of Bindman & Partners and Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP).

Melanie regularly advises public authorities on their powers and duties. She is a specialist in judicial review proceedings: recent cases include acting in relation to a local government tender process, a challenge to the placement of an vulnerable adult in the community and the striking off of a medical professional from the register.

She has developed a particular expertise in information law. She has advised many authorities in relation to Freedom of Information and data subject requests and devised online data protection training for the staff at KPMG UK LLP.

She is well known in her field for her work with the external auditors to local government and NHS Trusts, including the high profile investigations into corporate governance matters at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and Lincolnshire County Council. She acted for the Audit Commission in relation to Westminster City Council's recovery of the surcharge against Dame Shirley Porter.

Melanie is a specialist in corporate governance for professional regulatory bodies and is retained by the General Optical Council for their public law, information law and legislative drafting work. She has sat as a legal assessor for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, the Accountancy & Actuarial Investigation and Discipline Board and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants.

She is also well known for her work in the field of local government standards. She has represented individual members, acted as an investigating officer for local authorities and as an adviser to Standards Committee panels.

Melanie has significant experience in drafting both primary and secondary legislation. This spanned her in time in Government and most recently the drafting of a Prison & Parole Bill for the Government of the Maldives. Melanie has drafted rules and regulations for a variety of professional regulatory bodies.

Judicial/public appointments
• Deputy Chair of the Information Tribunal
• Legal Chair of the Adjudication Panel for England
• Independent member of the Standards Committee of Brighton & Hove City Council

Type of Work
• advises generally on the powers and duties of public authorities
• a specialist in judicial review proceedings and has a particular interest in corporate governance
• acts for a range of individuals and companies challenging the actions of public authorities
• acting for and against professional regulatory bodies
• regularly advises on data protection law, privacy and the Freedom of Information Act