Profile description
Melissa practises in the areas of data protection, privacy, commercial matters and general common law.
- General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (‘GDPR’)
- Data Protection Act 1998/2018 (‘DPA’)
- Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (‘PECR’ or e-Privacy)
- Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘FOIA’)
- EU Privacy Laws
- Articles 8 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights
- Defamation Act 2013
- Breach of Confidence, Misuse of Private Information, Harassment
Melissa advises and represents individuals, companies, public bodies and non-governmental organisations in all areas of privacy and data protection. Melissa is certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as an Information Privacy Professional in European Data Law (CIPP/E).
Most recently, Melissa has advised a company on data issues in the collection of large amounts of personal data internationally, a school on a complex FOIA/DPA subject access request involving sensitive data, and on various data protection claims against public authorities.
Melissa works with the data governance organisation DataReady, producing guidance and advising on policy projects for organisations such as the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, and the ISEAL Alliance.
Melissa is currently advising an international organisation on data privacy, data sharing and the licensing of commercial data. She has also been instructed by a number of individuals in relation to privacy and defamation claims.
Prior to becoming a barrister, Melissa spent a number of years working as a journalist in London and Moscow. She brings a wealth of experience in her former career to her practice. Melissa covered business news, financial institutions, stock markets, and economics and has a solid grasp of commercial matters.
Melissa is public access qualified and can be instructed directly by members of the public or businesses in suitable cases. Prior to becoming a barrister, she spent a number of years working as a news journalist in London and Moscow.
Education
Melissa has a First-Class Honours degree in Economic Studies from the University of Manchester. She has a Masters Degree in International Conflict Studies from King’s College London. Melissa was awarded a Lord Denning Scholarship from Lincoln’s Inn. She was graded as ‘Outstanding’ in the Bar Professional Training Course and was awarded the Buchanan Prize for exam performance.
