Melissa is a Partner in Regulatory & Licensing teams.
She has a huge amount of experience as an expert in regulatory and licensing law, specialising in the food and drink industry.
Melissa is a Solicitor Advocate with experience of both defence and prosecution work in all courts, helping a wide range of independent operators, breweries, large chain restaurants and hotels to navigate detailed and complex regulations.
Melissa regularly appears before licensing committees and magistrates courts nationwide for matters of investigation or prosecution regarding Trading Standards, Health & Safety, Noise Nuisance, Food Safety or Fire Safety which all affect licensed premises.
Recent examples of how Melissa supports clients include:
- Preventing an established rock nightclub in the Midlands region from losing their premise license and preventing closure of the venue after the police executed a s18 PACE 1984 warrant where Class A drugs were found on the premise.
- Advising and attending an interview under caution with the Health and Safety Executive investigators after a member of staff was severely injured whilst using machinery for cutting meats. The matter was dealt with by way of a financial penalty and avoided any further prosecution.
- Representing a prominent mobile fast-food chain to successfully appeal a Food Prohibition Order and allowing the business to continue to trade and avoid further reputational damage.
- Representing a Parish Council at a contested Licensing Committee hearing for a premise licence for the park and bowls area which had an estimated capacity of over 5,000.
- Securing a retainer to undertake all licensing work for a large hotel chain and undertaking due diligence.
- Negotiating the withdrawal of a noise abatement notice on a wine bar in central London.
- Supporting a university through investigation by the Health & Safety Executive after students complained of becoming sick with canteen food.
- Securing a series of licenses for a chain of petrol stations linked to an established supermarket chain.