NLJ PROFILE: Melanie Hart, Gordon Dadds

What was your route into the profession?

I was one of those people who knew from a very young age that they wanted to be a lawyer. I cannot remember ever wanting to do anything else, despite the fact that there are no lawyers in my family. My first piece of legal work experience aged 15 was with a criminal law barrister. I shadowed him on a fascinating case defending a man accused of the theft of jewels from The Dorchester Hotel. While the case was interesting, I swiftly concluded that both the Bar and criminal law were not for me. I undertook several more placements at law firms of all shapes and sizes and hugely enjoyed observing the role which solicitors have in investigating cases and really getting to know their clients. I found litigation fascinating and engaging, and was fortunate to be involved in some stellar cases early on in my training including the largest fraud trial (at that time) in England, and the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. Although I had concluded that I wanted to become a solicitor rather than a barrister, I still enjoyed advocacy immensely and therefore obtained my Higher Rights of Audience early in my career. I cut my teeth doing the housing possession list at Bow County Court on a Friday afternoon – always an interesting experience which taught me to think, and speak, on my feet!  I always encourage any young solicitors with a similar passion to do the same. Being able to offer a complete service to clients has its advantages and it also gives you a real appreciation for how counsel should be, properly, instructed. 

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

I acted for one of the participants in the coroner’s inquest/public inquiry into the death of Alexander Litvinenko (the former KGB officer killed by polonium poisoning). The evidence examined by the coroner/inquiry chairman was both complex and fascinating and involved thousands of pages of scientific evidence, witness testimony and documents. Having not excelled in science at school, I now know more about radioactive isotopes than I ever thought I would! Public inquiry work is always challenging due to the sheer size and complexity of the issues typically involved and the importance of the outcome for all the stakeholders taking part. I am looking forward to assisting clients in more Inquiry and general investigation work as part of Gordon Dadds’ outstanding Dispute Resolution team.

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

Baroness Butler-Sloss. I admire the immense hurdles she overcame to rise to the very top of her profession. When she was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 1988, the first woman to be promoted at that level, she was initially known as ‘Lord Justice’ Butler-Sloss because no one had ever contemplated a woman rising to that level! She paved the way for other trail blazers such as Baroness Hale and Lady Black.  

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?

A garden designer. I dabble in this in my spare time and have designed a number of projects for friends and family. I enjoy being outdoors and the creative freedom which it allows me to indulge in – not things one always gets as a litigation lawyer. I am still waiting for a case to come along where a garden design is at the heart of a piece of litigation – my two passions combined!

What change would you make to the profession?

Improve access to civil justice. While our legal system is the envy of many, the swingeing cuts which have been made to our civil justice system – from court closures to legal aid – have had a huge impact on people’s access to justice. I sit on The Law Society’s Civil Justice Committee where we review and promote improvements to civil justice and we see the very real impact which these measures are having on the ability of individuals and businesses of all sizes to seek redress. The legal profession has responded to the extent that it can but government and the Ministry of Justice need to re-assess their duty to provide a competent and working civil justice system befitting of any democratic society.