Melanie Bridgen is a highly experienced family law solicitor and Partner in our expert Family Law team, specialising in complex children and domestic abuse cases. With over 20 years’ experience in family law, Melanie is recognised for her expertise in representing survivors of abuse and navigating high-conflict, emotionally charged proceedings with clarity, compassion and strategic rigour.
Melanie is recognised by the Legal Directories and is Band 1 Chambers and a Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” lawyer and a Resolution-accredited specialist, with accreditation in Domestic Abuse, Advocacy, Financial Remedy Proceedings, Private Children Law and Child Abduction. She is also a Law Society Children Panel member, reflecting her specialist expertise in cases involving children and safeguarding concerns.
A significant part of Melanie’s practice focuses on cases involving controlling and coercive behaviour, post-separation abuse, parental alienation allegations, and serious welfare issues. She regularly acts in matters involving fact-finding hearings, non-molestation and occupation orders, relocation disputes, and complex child arrangements proceedings, including cases with international elements.
Melanie is known for her robust advocacy and meticulous case preparation, particularly in situations where power imbalances, coercive control or credibility challenges are present. She has extensive experience representing clients in the Family Court and High Court and has been involved in reported and precedent-setting cases, particularly those raising safeguarding and human-rights issues.
Alongside her litigation work, Melanie is a prominent legal commentator and survivor advocate, regularly providing public legal education on domestic abuse, family court processes and survivor protections. She is committed to improving understanding of coercive control and ensuring that the family justice system responds appropriately to abuse and risk.
Clients consistently describe Melanie as calm, direct and fiercely committed to their case. She is particularly skilled at supporting clients through the immediate aftermath of separation, helping them secure urgent legal protections while developing a longer-term strategy focused on safety, stability and outcomes for children.
Melanie advises clients nationally and is experienced in working with vulnerable clients, litigants in person, and those facing significant emotional or practical barriers to accessing justice.
Notable Cases
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- D (A child – parental alienation) (Rev 1) [2018] EWFC B64 (19 October 2018)
- Griffiths v Griffiths (Decision on Recusal) [2021] EWHC 3600 (Fam) (09 December 2021)
- Griffiths v Tickle & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 1882 (10 December 2021)
- Griffiths v Griffiths (Guidance on Contact Costs) [2022] EWHC 113 (Fam) (20 January 2022)
- Tickle v Father & Others [2023] EWHC 2446 (Fam)
- A (Jurisdiction: Family Law Act 1986) (Application for Amplification), Re [2021] EWFC 105 (15 December 2021)
- X (A Child) (Jurisdiction and Habitual Residence Issue) [2021] EWFC B81 (30 November 2021)
- Q v R
- F v M [2025] EWFC 210 (B) (05 June 2025)
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- Telephone: 01332 378 667
- Office: Derby
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Areas of expertise
- Child Law Solicitors
- Divorce Solicitors
- Consent Orders
- Child Arrangements
- Care Proceedings
- Child Abduction
- Parental Alienation
- Parental Responsibility
- Child Relocation & Holidays
- Adoption Advice
- Separation Agreements
- International Divorce Lawyers
- Domestic Violence
- Same Sex Families
- Surrogacy & Fertility
- Family Law Solicitors
- High Net Worth Divorce Solicitors
Professional information
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Recommended by Chambers and Partners in Band 1 (Family/Matrimonial - East Midlands)
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Winner of the Solicitor of the Year Award at the Derby and District Law Society Annual Dinner 2023
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Listed in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame
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Law Society Children Panel Accredited specialist
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Law Society Family Law Panel (Advanced) - Accredited Specialist in both Children Law Private and Advice in and Conduct of Ancillary Relief Proceedings
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Resolution Accredited Specialist (Domestic Violence)
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Member of Derby & District Law Society Family Committee
Recent articles from Melanie Bridgen
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