About
“She is a delight to work with, so professional yet caring with an amazingly sharp mind. I am so lucky to have had her on my side”. Melissa is a family law specialist, highly experienced in all areas of child and family law. She is regularly instructed by parents, guardians, and local authorities in public and private law children cases. Her areas of expertise include public and private law applications under the Children Act 1989, securing injunctive relief under the Family Law Act 1996 and applications under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.
Experience
A passionate and skilled advocate, Melissa specialises in all aspects of family law relating to children. She has considerable experience in public and private law applications under the Children Act 1989, including complex and protracted disputes regarding the arrangements to be made for children following separation.
Melissa also practices in the Court of Protection includes overlapping jurisdictions of the of the Court of Protection and the Children Act 1989; personal welfare applications; section 21A applications challenging authorisations under DOLS; contested applications for the appointment of deputies (welfare/financial affairs) and emergency applications.
With over 12 years working with cases involving domestic violence, Melissa has a wealth of knowledge and experience in this sensitive area of law, particularly when raised in the context of contact disputes.
She is highly skilled at handling sensitive cases, particularly when dealing with vulnerable clients, including those with learning difficulties, mental illness, addictions, personality disorders and those for whom English is not their first language.
Known for her professional yet personable approach, her commitment to client care ensures that all clients are provided with support, expert advice, and reassuring attention to detail at every stage of the case. Melissa’s meticulous and rigorous approach to preparation in every case means all clients can be assured of a consistently high level of service and representation.
Practice Areas
Private Law Children
Alternative Families
Court of Protection
International Family Law
Testimonials
“She is a delight to work with, so professional yet caring with an amazingly sharp mind. I am so lucky to have had her on my side”. Client
“Her unbelievably quick reading (quite literally) of the case was astonishing though nothing compared to her effectiveness in the court room. Melissa Harrison turned a case that I had been losing (badly) for over 19 months in my favour. I and my two young children are indebted to her and her brilliance.” Client
Education and Professional Memberships
BPP Law School – Bar Vocational Course
BPP Law School – Graduate Diploma in Law
Universite de Paul Valery III – Montpellier, France
University of Reading – French and International Relations BA with Hons
Family Law Bar Association
Association of Lawyers for Children
Gray’s Inn
Languages
French