Melanie advises on a broad range of corporate, commercial and individual disputes, and represents clients in litigation, arbitration and mediation.
Much of her advice involves ‘dispute avoidance’ and developing risk management solutions in order to identify and mitigate risk at an early stage. She is known for giving highly commercial and practical advice, which always focuses on her client’s key objectives, be they commercial, financial or reputational.
A significant part of Melanie’s work centres on contentious Information Law matters including Intellectual Property disputes, contentious Data Protection advice, Cyber-Response, and Reputation Management. Melanie has also represented both corporate and individual clients at coroners’ inquests and public inquiries.
Melanie also acts for individuals and families in contentious trusts and probate matters, shareholder and succession disputes, and disputes sitting at the intersection of personal and corporate lives.
Melanie has considerable experience acting in cross-border litigation and has been involved in global disputes involving clients or litigation in the Middle East, USA, Cayman Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, South Africa and Europe.
Work Highlights
- Advising a global Plc in worldwide proceedings arising out of breaches of contract and other duties by former employees and directors.
- Pursuing claims for breach of contract and professional negligence against tax advisers as well as advising in relation to the concurrent proceedings with HMRC.
- Acting for a beneficiary in a worldwide contentious probate dispute involving proceedings in both England and several other jurisdictions. As well acting for the client in the English proceedings I am instructed in a global co-ordination role in relation to the other litigation around the world.
- Assisting a large corporate plc in responding to several highly contentious Data Subject Access Requests pursuant to GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
- Acting for shareholders and directors in unfair prejudice and misfeasance proceedings relating to a multi-million pound company.
- Advising a liquidator in relation to various contentious creditor claims arising out of complex funding arrangements entered into by the company in liquidation.
PUBLICATIONS & PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
- A Day in the Life of Cyber-Response Lawyer, WeAreTechWomen, October 2023
- UK Pension Schemes Hit With Major Rise In Cyber Breaches - Quoted in Law360, September 2023
- Capita Cyber Attack: A Wake-Up Call for the Pensions industry, IFA, June 2023
- In the spotlight, EPrivateClient, March 2023 (This content is available to EPrivateClient subscribers)
What Clients and Directories say
Melanie Hart is a no-nonsense individual and a safe pair of hands."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
Melanie is able to put people at ease, even when they are facing challenging circumstances, and build trust immediately."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
Melanie Hart is a tremendous lawyer with acute insight in her specialist field. Clients enjoy her incisive advice and her focus on their objectives."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
Melanie Hart is excellent. She is very knowledgeable and strong strategically. She is also very commercial in her approach. Very easy to work with and will make herself available."
The Legal 500, 2025
Melanie Hart is sensible, pragmatic and user-friendly."
The Legal 500
It is very rare to find a lawyer who has the full package, but Melanie does. Great client management skills - reassuring, expert, confident but caring. Fine legal mind. Determined to deliver. Very, very impressed by her work
The Legal 500
Excellent partner engagement with the work, and highly skilled associates. Melanie Hart is a particular star; really gets to grips with the client's needs and combines strategic insight with hands-on hard work."
The Legal 500
Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate your kindness and friendly face throughout everything, you made everything stress free and I felt well supported by you throughout.”
Client, 2023
Thank you not only for your professionalism and expertise which were so impressive but also for your sensitivity, understanding of the human difficulties I was going through and concern for me. You were my protector, defender and buffer from the unpleasantness thrown at me. I could not have asked for anyone better to advise me and look after my interests.”
Client, 2022
professional societies and Memberships
- Immediate Past Vice Chair, The Law Society’s Civil Justice Committee
- Member, Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates (SACHA) (Melanie obtained her Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) in 2008)
- Member, Association of Women Solicitors
Languages
German (Fluent)
Melanie Hart is sensible, pragmatic and user-friendly."
Legal 500
Melanie Hart is excellent. She is very knowledgeable and strong strategically. She is also very commercial in her approach. Very easy to work with and will make herself available."
Legal 500
It is very rare to find a lawyer who has the full package, but Melanie does. Great client management skills - reassuring, expert, confident but caring. Fine legal mind. Determined to deliver. Very, very impressed by her work
Legal 500
Excellent partner engagement with the work, and highly skilled associates. Melanie Hart is a particular star; really gets to grips with the client's needs and combines strategic insight with hands-on hard work.
Legal 500
