Melanie Barbour called to the Bar in 2020 following upon a long established career as a solicitor in private practice and local government. She has also worked as a Children’s Reporter.
During her career, Melanie has undertaken a broad range of civil litigation with particular interest in the areas of family law; child law (including permanency orders, adoptions, child protection and residence issues); education; adults with incapacity; mental health; and housing.
She has long standing experience in providing legal advice and representation in relation to regulatory matters, including licensing law and town and country planning. For a number of years Melanie provided regulatory and legal advice to a number of local government committees, including the Planning Committee, Local Review Body, Education Appeals Committee and Employment Appeals Panel.
Melanie also sat as the Legal Advisor to East Ayrshire’s Adoption and Fostering Panel for a number of years.
Melanie has regularly appeared in the sheriff court and various tribunals (including the DPEA and the Employment Tribunal).
She has prepared and presented training to a number of local government departments and the Heads of Planning Scotland, on matters including adoption and permanency, housing and calling performance bonds.
Melanie was appointed as a Legal Member to the First Tier Tribunal Housing and Property Chamber in 2017.
She is currently a contributing editor to Butterworth’s Scottish Family Law Service.
Email: Melanie Barbour