Melanie Foo
King's Counsel
Joint Head of Chambers
Areas of Practice:
Year of call
Professional bio
Melanie became a member of Chambers in 2021 following successful completion of pupillage under the supervision of James Cullen. Since then, she has built a busy multi-disciplinary practice across Chambers’ core areas of civil and family law, balancing court-based advocacy with a strong paper practice.
Before coming to the Bar, Melanie worked as an employed advocate and Costs Lawyer for leading national law firms, representing both Claimants and Defendants in cases involving costs, personal injury, and regulatory law. She also gained significant experience prosecuting cases of serious professional misconduct for the Teaching Regulation Agency, covering allegations of fraud, sexual misconduct, and non-accidental injury of children.
Education and qualifications
- 2:1, Law (LLB Hons), Liverpool University (2012)'Very Competent'
- Bar Professional Training Course, Manchester Metropolitan University (2014)
- FLBA Vulnerable Witness training (2024)
- Costs Lawyer, Association of Costs Lawyers (2018)
Memberships
Further Information
In civil litigation, Melanie’s practice focuses on personal injury, credit hire, and clinical negligence. She is instructed by both Claimants and Defendants at all stages, from Stage 3 and disposal hearings to fast track trials and costs and case management conferences. She regularly provides written advice on liability and quantum, statements of case, and schedules of loss, and accepts instructions on a Conditional Fee Agreement basis where appropriate.
Melanie is also instructed by police forces in a range of civil matters, appearing in the Magistrates’ Court and Youth Court on applications and breaches relating to Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Stalking Protection Orders, Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions, police bail amendments, and matters involving proceeds of crime.
In family law, Melanie is regularly instructed in private children matters, representing parents from FHDRA through to contested fact-finding and final hearings in child arrangements disputes. She has experience in specific issue and prohibited steps orders, enforcement applications, and Family Law Act applications for non-molestation and occupation orders. She is keen to develop her practice further in public law children matters.
Melanie has completed the FLBA Vulnerable Witness training programme and is known for building strong relationships with solicitors and lay clients, managing expectations, and providing clear, practical advice throughout proceedings.
.png){kind=logo}
