Melanie McIntosh
2002 (Lincolns Inn)
Date of call
2002 (Lincolns Inn)
Qualifications
BA (Cape Town university)
LLB (Hons)(Wits)
Advocate of Supreme Court of South Africa
Memberships
Planning and Environmental Bar Association
Family Law Bar Association
United Kingdom Environmental Bar Association
Administrative Bar Association
Melanie is a highly experienced and versatile barrister specialising in family finance, TOLATA and private law children act proceedings. She has acted in numerous landmark/reported cases, many of which are test cases for particular points of law, and she is known for her efficient, focused approach as well as the strength of her advocacy.
She is completely at home acting in sensitive cases which make use of her high-level negotiation and advocacy skills, and she has an innate ability to rapidly identify and focus on the relevant issues. This ability to ‘cut to the chase’ is recognised and highly valued by her clients.
Equally, she is sensitive to the impact of dealing with these difficult circumstances, and is supportive of her clients’ emotional needs.
Her matrimonial finance experience includes complex financial remedy cases involving multiple issues such as trusts, overseas assets, pensions, freezing of assets, private and company assets and inheritance, as well as less complex cases.
Melanie is also experienced at representing co-habitants and co-owners in proceedings under TOLATA (Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996), advising, drafting documents and providing representation at any stage of a dispute.
In her family work, Melanie has particular expertise in dealing with private law- children cases, including those involving mental health issues. Her grasp of complex issues, coupled with her naturally sensitive approach, helps her to support clients dealing with extremely difficult personal circumstances.
Melanie is qualified to accept instructions under the Direct Public Access Scheme, and also accepts instructions under the Licensed Access Scheme.
Melanie’s private family practice focuses particularly on cases relating to Child Arrangement Orders – covering questions including who children will live with following a separation, and how any contact with the other parent will be managed.
Many of her cases have included sensitive issues like mental health, domestic abuse, parental alienation, drug and alcohol abuse and specific issues such as education and overseas location, non-molestation orders, injunctions and occupation orders.
Her clients find her pragmatic yet sympathetic approach reassuring, and her ability to balance an analytical approach to detail with sensitive handling of the emotional impact of the circumstances gives them confidence that they are in experienced hands.
Melanie is regularly instructed by both Applicants and Respondents in this area of Family Law and has a particular interest/experience in cases involving complex expert evidence – such as those where medical evidence is needed.
Many of her cases have included sensitive issues like mental health, domestic abuse, parental alienation, drug and alcohol abuse and specific issues such as education and overseas location, non-molestation orders, injunctions and occupation orders.
Her clients find her pragmatic yet sympathetic approach reassuring, and her ability to balance an analytical approach to detail with sensitive handling of the emotional impact of the circumstances gives them confidence that they are in experienced hands.
Melanie is regularly instructed by both Applicants and Respondents in this area of Family Law and has a particular interest/experience in cases involving complex expert evidence – such as those where medical evidence is needed.
Melanie’s financial remedy work frequently involves negotiating complex, high-value claims (with multiple issues such as trusts, overseas assets, pensions, freezing of assets, private and company assets and inheritance), as well as acting for clients where there are more modest claims.
She is particularly interested in cases where examination and assimilation of complex expert evidence is required. Her expertise in Family Law is complemented by her previous experience of Property issues, including Planning and Rating matters. This fusion of skills is often valuable in complex divorce and matrimonial finance cases, where substantial business or private property portfolios or other assets are involved.
She is particularly interested in cases where examination and assimilation of complex expert evidence is required. Her expertise in Family Law is complemented by her previous experience of Property issues, including Planning and Rating matters. This fusion of skills is often valuable in complex divorce and matrimonial finance cases, where substantial business or private property portfolios or other assets are involved.
"I just wanted to express my gratitude for your guidance at the divorce courts today. Your support and expertise made a significant difference, and I truly appreciate everything you’ve done."
Mr F instructing Melanie McIntosh through the Direct Access scheme
"I would like to say that the service we used from your chambers and Melanie Mcintosh was exceptional. I was really impressed with Melanie’s approach with our case, she always kept me in the loop and communicated everything to do with the case with very thorough case notes and emails. The client was very impressed as well and Melanie managed to achieve the result, we wanted in this case.
Many thanks to you and Melanie for your hard work and we hope to work with you again very soon."
Miss A from solicitors, instructing Melanie McIntosh
"It has been a pleasure to meet Melanie McIntosh and I have been very pleased with her handling of the case. She was ready to get to grips with the legal aspects of this High Court case at very short notice without fuss, stood up to the opposition and handled an anxious client. I cannot think of anything further that would assist me and I have gone on to book Melanie for another case as I enjoyed working with her on this one."
Miss P from Solicitors, instructing Melanie McIntosh
Melanie was fantastic in her role, and very reassuring in what was, as you can imagine, a very stressful situation. I felt so much better once she arrived at court and took charge of the situation! It was also useful to have the same barrister throughout the court appearances as she understood the case completely. She took a ‘no nonsense’ approach. and was completely fixed on getting the right result, which she did. This, again, was very reassuring.
Ms F from Solicitors Instructing Melanie McIntosh
Just to confirm that we were very pleased with Melanie’s representation for Ms T. She really did go above & beyond which was much appreciated, on such a sensitive matter for the client. Melanie really couldn’t have done more for the client.
Ms T from Solicitors instructing Melanie Mcintosh
Melanie was very thorough and professional….I will certainly use Melanie again.
Mr W from solicitors instructing Melanie McIntosh
I have been very pleased with the service both from yourself and the clerks generally, and from Ms McIntosh, you have all been extremely helpful and approachable. I know my client is also very grateful to Ms McIntosh for her work.
Miss G from solicitors instructing Melanie McIntosh
I am very happy with the services I have received from Counsel Melanie McIntosh. Melanie has always gone over and above what is expected from her. Her care and attention to detail and all her hard work and effort with each case has not gone unnoticed, especially her pre Hearing conference meetings with clients has helped ease client’s enormously and very helpful to me as well.
Miss C from solicitors instructing Melanie McIntosh