Sandra Melton
Sandra has a wealth of experience in criminal and related litigation. She is sought out for the most complex and sensitive criminal cases and consistently justifies her enviable track record as a smart, effective trusted advisor for individuals and corporates who require representation.
Sandra’s 20 year career has included discreet representation of high profile individuals including politicians, bankers, music, sports and media personalities and high net worth individuals. Sandra’s strength lies in her unique approach to resolving matters quickly, quietly and effectively. Her success in doing so accounts for the trust and confidence her clients express.
Sandra’s strategic approach to representation enables her to offer continuity of representation acting throughout the life of a case. She is an experienced advocate able to assess your case for litigation and alternative resolution.
Sexual offences
The majority of her work concerns defending historic or current allegations of sexual misconduct. She advises clients, in the UK and abroad, in relation to allegations following the #MeToo campaign and advises both individuals and organisations in relation to investigations into sexual misconduct in the workplace. She is currently advising young people and their parents following allegations arising from the Everyone’s Invited campaign.
Youth Justice
She has a particular passion and aptitude for working with children and young adults, navigating them safely through the youth justice system. Youth crime is a specialist area in which Sandra is a leader in her field. She was an Advisory Board member for the Youth Justice Legal Centre. She is Chair of the JUSTICE working party who recently produced a report on – Tackling Racial Injustice: Children and the Youth Justice System.
Investigation advice
Sandra provides proactive police station advice and representation designed to resolve matters at the earliest opportunity and without charges. Along with Matthew Hardcastle and Ed Cape, she co-authors “the police station Bible “ – Defending Suspects at Police Stations [8th Edn] providing her clients with a unique perspective and unrivalled skill in navigating police investigations successfully while protecting their reputation.
Inquiries and court proceedings
As an experienced Higher Court Advocate, Sandra is particularly accomplished in preparing witnesses to give an account or evidence in settings ranging from court proceedings through to internal and external investigations or inquiries.
- Leading Individual in Chambers & Partners UK 2023
- Hall of Fame in Legal 500 UK 2023
- Top recommended in Spears 500
Recent cases
Young people and children
- Secured a community resolution for young person accused of “sexting” and “malicious communications”
- Secured a non-custodial sentence for two youths charged with possession of firearms
- Successful CCRC application for a child convicted of serious sexual offences resulting in the conviction being overturned
- No further action taken by the police following 3 allegations of rape made by friends of our client
- Secured no further action in respect of a child investigated for several sexual offences in respect of another child
Unlawful killing
- Secured a decision to take no further action for two men arrested of murder following their restraint of a shop customer
- Advised a company regarding criminal liability for Corporate Manslaughter and Gross Negligence Manslaughter. Police investigation concluded with no further action
- Acting for corporate group in relation to police investigation concerning Corporate Manslaughter
Sexual Misconduct
- Successfully defended a high-profile female charged with historic sex offences.
- Represented a regulated individual accused of sexual misconduct in the workplace during an internal investigation
- Provided specialist advice to law firms, chambers and companies regarding Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace
- Acquittal of entertainment industry individual for rape
- Advised a student accused of rape under the university regulations – disciplinary proceedings concluded without sanction
Other Offences
- An individual in a Privy Council application following a foreign murder conviction
- Acquittal of individual charged with conspiracy to pervert course of justice
- Successfully represented a family investigated for Modern Slavery in respect of their domestic staff cases
Interviews
- Prepared and represented clients for interviews with the police, SFO, FCA and internal investigations
Professional memberships and societies
- Women In Criminal Law (Founding Member)
- Youth Justice Legal Centre Advisory Board
- Black women in Law
- Fraud Lawyers Association
- London Criminal Court Solicitors Association (LCCSA)
- Black Solicitors Network (BSN)