Melanie Sharp’s practice focusses on personal injury, clinical negligence, employment, discrimination, professional discipline and regulatory work.

Prior to studying law, Melanie was a Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon, subspecialising in craniofacial neurosurgery, trauma, spina bifida and antenatal counselling. Melanie practised medicine for over 15 years and throughout her neurosurgical career she was actively involved in NHS Trust governance processes, most recently acting as Governance Lead within her department. Melanie presented work at national specialty meetings and co-authored several book chapters on neurosurgical topics.

PERSONAL INJURY, CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE AND INQUESTS

Melanie acts exclusively for Claimants in personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Her breadth of exposure to a wide range of specialties during her medical career and her experience in a senior role as a Consultant Neurosurgeon, give her a unique perspective and knowledge base to bring to these claims. This background assists Melanie in analysing medical evidence critically and with ease. Melanie is known for her ability to deal with clients in a sensitive, compassionate and pragmatic manner. She has been instructed on a broad range of personal injury and clinical negligence cases including issues of occupier’s liability, employer’s liability, dental negligence and hospital negligence. During her pupillage at Cloisters, Melanie was supervised by, and assisted, Martin Seaward, representative for the Fire Brigades Union at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Melanie has appeared on behalf of bereaved families at Coroner’s inquests.

EMPLOYMENT

Melanie represents both Claimants and Respondents in employment claims and has been instructed on a wide variety of Employment Tribunal claims covering a range of business sectors. Recent cases have included group litigation trade union claims, questions of worker status, whistleblowing detriments, disability discrimination, race discrimination, equal pay issues, unfair dismissal and national minimum wage claims. In addition, Melanie has assisted in a complex external investigation into bullying at a national organisation.

Qualifications

BPTC, BPP University

GDL, BPP University

Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (Surgical Neurology)

MBChB (with Honours), University of Aberdeen

Awards

Sir Louis Gluckstein Advocacy Prize, Lincoln's Inn

Fulton Prize for Elective in Neurosciences

Anderson Medal for Clinical Medicine

Sir Dugald Baird Medal for Obstetrics and Gynaecology

PIBA, ELA, APIL, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (England)