Imogen Mellor

Public Children Law; Private Children Law; International Children Law; Court of Protection; Inquiries and inquests

Overview

Imogen is a specialist children barrister and court of protection barrister. She is ranked by Legal 500 as a Rising Star at the Family Bar (children and domestic abuse).

She is praised for her approachability, practicality, client-care skills and tenacity.

Imogen has acted as sole counsel in care, private children proceedings and international cases at the High Court. She has also been led on complex cases.

She is highly adept at dealing with complex cases involving vulnerable clients and their needs, including those with mental health conditions and cognitive difficulties. She is currently learning British Sign Language and is developing a specialism working with Deaf clients. She is knowledgeable in her understanding of the Deaf community and culture, being able to empathise with clients and strategically advise on the best forms of support to meet their needs.

She is a go-to counsel for cases concerning honour-based abuse and child abuse linked to faith and belief. She has been interviewed on BBC Radio London in relation to FGM and she writes and educates on the topic, including presenting at NGOs, charities, to lawyers and for other stakeholders. She accepts instructions in relation to honour-based abuse in the field of family and court of protection.

Imogen has previously represented clients in immigration cases. Prior to joining the Bar, Imogen was an assistant caseworker at an immigration law firm, where she worked on complex immigration applications dealing with a range of issues, such as asylum, family and human rights and indefinite leave to remain as a victim of domestic violence. As a result of her experience, she is uniquely placed to act in family cases which involve immigration law issues. She has a particular understanding of the obstacles that migrant clients face in the family law context and can advise on appropriate support networks to assist them.

She has been made a Panel C Counsel member for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Imogen was awarded the Peter Duffy Scholarship from Lincoln’s Inn, which gave her the opportunity to work in the UK division of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, where she reviewed substantive applications. She also conducted research for the President of the Court. She has been a headnote contributor for the European Human Rights Reports (Thomson Reuters).

Imogen has been an Associate Lecturer at Goldsmith’s University since September 2022 teaching Media Law and Ethics. She has a particular interest in cases concerning privacy rights.

Public Children Law

Imogen has a thriving care practice, representing parents and Guardians at all stages of proceedings. She has acted in a range of cases, including involving allegations of non-accidental injuries, emotional and sexual abuse, honour-based abuse, neglect and substance abuse. Imogen is recognised as an advocate who strategically advises her lay and professional clients throughout the court process.

She has been sole counsel and led on multiple complex Fact-Finding hearings and Final hearings. This has included being led on a complex and lengthy Fact-Finding Hearing, where she represented the mother who had complex needs. At the conclusion of those proceedings, the youngest children stayed with the mother under a supervision order as forwarded by her team.

Private Children Law

Imogen is experienced in private children cases and has represented parties at all stages of proceedings including Fact-Finding and Final hearings. She has experience acting as sole counsel and being led on complex cases where there have been allegations of domestic abuse and also alienating behaviours. Imogen has acted in private cases where there is local authority involvement.

She has a reputation for providing realistic advice and fighting tenaciously for her client’s interests.

International Children Law

Imogen has represented parents and guardians in the High Court, in cases with international elements such as abduction and a parent being stranded abroad. She has acted in inherent jurisdiction cases before the High Court.

Court of Protection

Imogen has a growing court of protection practice, and accepts instructions on behalf of all clients, including Local Authorities, Official Solicitors and interested parties. Instructing solicitors have commented upon her pragmatic and strategic approach to cases whilst also being friendly and very easy to work with.

Imogen’s dual practice as a family and court of protection practitioner enables her to be a knowledgeable advocate where the two areas overlap. She is particularly skilled in cases where a child is being deprived of their liberty.

Inquiries and inquests

Imogen was counsel on a large scale public inquiry in 2023.

Professional Memberships

• ILPA
• FLBA
• COPBA
• Lincoln’s Inn

Appointments 2024: Panel C Counsel for the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Education & Qualifications

• Bar Professional Training Course, City Law School (Very Competent)
• LLM, UCL (Distinction)
• Law BA, Clare College, University of Cambridge (First Class)
• Classics BA, University of Nottingham (First Class)