Areas of Practice
- Data Protection, Privacy and Information Law
- Commercial and Civil Law
- Fraud and financial crime
Professional Memberships
- The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- Society for Computers and Law
- Advocates for International Development
Public Access
Melissa is public access accredited and can be instructed directly by members of the public or companies in suitable cases. She can also be instructed by international lawyers, organisations, companies, and individuals on international projects cases or to provide advice. For more information on instructing barristers as foreign lawyers or companies, see the Chancery Bar Association’s guidance here.
Expertise
Melissa specialises in data protection, privacy, and commercial matters relating to information. She has expertise in all aspects of information, including compliance with data laws, access, disclosure, ownership, confidentiality, and reputational issues from an individual or corporate perspective.
She regularly advises on contentious and non-contentious matters on the GDPR/UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000, EU Privacy and Data laws, Defamation Act 2013, breach of confidence, database rights, and misuse of private information.
Her experience includes regulatory and criminal investigations, and she can advise on the Malicious Communications Act 1988, Computer Misuse Act 1990, and criminal offences under the Data Protection Act 2018.
Melissa also works with non-governmental organisations, producing guidance, contributing to policy documents, and advising on projects. She has worked with organisations such as the World Health Organisation, the Open Institute (Africa), the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, and the ISEAL Alliance.
Melissa is certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as an Information Privacy Professional in European Data Law (CIPP/E). She has published several journal articles and books on privacy, data protection, and technology and has a popular blog and a podcast series: www.privacylawbarrister.com.